“I’m going to send you something,” he says.
“Liam, your voice is weird, and you didn’t act jealous of my dinner. What’s up?”
My phone and laptop ding with whatever he sent. Ihead toward the laptop on the table on the balcony when there is a knock on my door.
“Liam, my food is here. I’ll call you back.”
Instead of agreeing, he continues, “That guy, the one who hurt you, he’s still in custody, right?”
“Right, his trial was postponed, but they’re saying next summer. There’s something with the state prosecutor—” I open the door, my words stilling and my heartrate spiking. “Serena.” I can’t believe she’s here on my doorstep.
Her expression is the same as the day long ago in Lawton. “Jillian.”
I lift a finger as I continue to stand in the doorway. Speaking into the phone, I say, “Liam, I agree we should have the police enter sooner rather than later.”
“Jill, what’s happening?” he asks.
“I have to go” —I smile at Serena— “I have a visitor.”
“Are you all right?”
“I don’t know,” I reply honestly. “Bye.” I disconnect the call as my attention goes back to the woman in the hallway of my apartment building. “Serena, why are you here?”
“Invite me in. We have some things to discuss.”
Her voice.
I recognize it.
Goose bumps coat my arms. It’s the feminine voice I heard after I was drugged. My conviction is so strong, I know it was hers without a doubt. That means…
She was my attacker.
What did Keith say? Something about how Craig damaged Serena.
Keith.
Keith is innocent.
Keith is innocent and Ellis isn’t safe.
With my pulse thumping in my ears, I take a step back and allow her to enter. If I don’t, I’ll never be able to prove Keith’s innocence or ensure my son’s safety.
Serena takes her time, step by step, looking around my apartment. Her eyes settle on the ocean view. “You’ve done well for yourself.” She walks toward the balcony. “There aren’t views like this in Chicago.”
“The water is about the same temperature as Lake Michigan.” I point to the table where my laptop is sitting. “Please have a seat. Can I get you anything?”
“Hmm, let’s see…” Her lips curl. “Do you have any iced tea?”
The police discovered the GHB used to drug me in my glass of iced tea. Inhaling, I nod. “I do.” I gesture again to the table and chairs. “Please.”
Slowly, Serena takes the seat opposite my laptop.
When I return with two glasses of tea, the top of my computer is closed.
As I hand her a glass, she speaks, “What you do is fascinating.”
“Why do you care what I do?” My response comes out harsher than I intended, yet Serena doesn’t appear offended.
