“I’m sorry, Lily.”
She didn’t move.
“Sorry you were taken.”He took a step toward her.“Sorry you were hurt.Sorry that…hell, sorry that I ever doubted you.”
What was this about?Unease settled like a knot in the pit of her stomach.
“I know you didn’t kill David Warren.”
Uh, shehadkilled him.She’d planned out his murder in meticulous detail.Executed it.Gotten rid of the evidence.
“It was Magnolia.I…” A rush of breath from Gage.“You might want to sit down, Lily.I know you’ve already been through a lot today.”
Yes, she had.And she wanted to get out of there and find Atlas.Where is Atlas?
But she sat down in the nearby chair.Gage crouched in front of her.He took her hand.
She immediately wanted to snatch her hand away from him.
“I thought it was you.I doubtedyou.”
She was more than aware that he thought she was a killer.Guilty.
“I didn’t see how it could have possibly been Magnolia.She was locked up.You had to have done it.You had to be the one to kill David Warren.”
“I’m really tired,” Lily began.And David Warren’s death was attributed to natural causes.Why can’t you just let this go?
“But the doctor is dead, too.Dr.Francis Locke.”
Lily shook her head.
“Do you know him?Even recognize the name?”
Yes, she recognized it.
Gage must have thought she didn’t, though, because he explained, “He’s a doctor from Baton Rouge who was exchanging messages with your mother.A lot of messages.He even went to her prison in order to visit with her.He wanted to marry Magnolia.”His hold tightened on her hand.“He’s dead.I suspect poison.”
“That’s…unfortunate.”
“I’ve checked this out.I’ve investigated thoroughly.You were in Dallas when he died.You didn’t kill him.I know that she got to him.Magnolia.She did it.Or she arranged for it to be done.I talked to a guard at the prison…he said she has so many fans—followers—who do what she wants.”
“Friends.Magnolia has a lot of friends.”
“Lily, I think your mother got someone to kill Dr.Locke.And to kill David Warren.And I’m so sorry that I suspected you.I see the truth now.You aren’t like her.You aren’t a killer.I was wrong.”He leaned closer.“I want another chance with you.You don’t belong with someone like Atlas Bennett.He will never understand you.He will always try to pull you down into the dark with him.He won’t?—”
“Knock, knock,” Atlas said from the doorway.
Lily’s stare jumped to him.
Gage didn’t move.
“FBI Special Agent Emerick, please tell me that you are notproposingto my Lily.Tomyfiancée.Because it looks as if you are down on one knee in front of her…” Silky.Menacing.“And you’re holding her hand with a very pleading look on your face.”
Lily pulled her hand away from Gage.“He isn’t proposing.He’s apologizing.”
Atlas leaned against the doorframe, arms crossing over his chest.Acting as if he didn’t have a large bandage on his shoulder from where he’d beenshot.“Do tell,” he encouraged.“Why is he apologizing to you?Is it because he used you to advance his career?Because he was an ass to you?”
She rose.
