Savannah bobbed her head and picked up her cup, inhaling the aroma of her peppermint mocha. It did nothing for her agitation. She and her counselor had decided she’d progressed enough to stop appointments for now, but Nora had always been her best confidant. “That’s one thing I’m clinging to. But Nora, that birthmark! If the picture was faked, how did they know about his birthmark?” Nausea churned in her stomach,and she set her coffee down without taking a sip. She wished she’d never seen that particular set of pictures.
She raised her gaze to Nora’s. “Michael is ruthless about pushing us out of Simon’s life, but I won’t let him keep us away. He’s my nephew, and Jess wanted me to raise him. Michael doesn’t even have kids—what does he know about raising a child?” She rubbed her forehead. “I’m sorry—I know he’s your uncle, but you’re the only one I can talk to.”
Now that Jess is gone.
The unspoken thought made her tear up. Jess wouldn’t be as kind toward Hez as Nora was, but she had always been there for Savannah. Jess would let her rant and would get angry at Hez with her. Nora’s calm presence was probably better for Savannah’s peace of mind even if she’d rather pace and rage about it.
“Uncle Michael is no angel. But he loves Simon.”
“His kind of love is one that gobbles up the recipient. Kids can’t have too many people who love them. It’s Michael’s desire for revenge that’s made him so determined to push us out.”
“You have to find a way to resolve this with Hez.”
Nora clearly didn’t want to talk about her uncle, and Savannah decided to let it go. She’d already put her in an awkward position. “I’m trying not to jump to conclusions like I did with the wine bottle, but even if the pictures were staged, how could he be so stupid about Martine? It makes me so mad he walked right into her trap! I knew immediately what kind of person she is.”
“His obsession with finding Hornbrook probably blinded him to the danger she posed.”
Savannah rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Maybe. WhileHornbrook was out there, Hez knew we were all in danger. He was determined to get Hornbrook behind bars.”
Nora stared down into her cup. “And sometimes it can be hard to do a complete one-eighty in how you deal with someone you’ve known for a long time, even if you know you should.”
Savannah realized what she needed to do. “Then it’s high time I dealt with her on my own since he can’t.”
Nora looked up. “What do you mean?”
“I’m going to confront her right now.” Savannah pulled out her phone and searched for Martine. “I thought so. Her law office is down the street. Will you come with me?”
“You go, girl! I wouldn’t miss the fireworks.” Nora rose and grabbed her coffee. “Lead the way.”
Savannah shoved back from the table and dropped her coffee cup in the trash on the way out. She didn’t need to be more jittery. Her ire rose as they walked down the street toward a block of old Victorian buildings that housed several professional offices. They passed a diner wafting out the aroma of bacon before they reached Martine’s block.
Martine’s office was the last one, and Savannah marched toward the cute Victorian building painted creamy white with navy shutters. She’d make the woman admit what she’d done to Hez. But what if Martine offered up further proof? Savannah’s nausea intensified. How had her bright hope for the future turned so dark?
Nora put her hand on Savannah’s arm. “Wait up. Something’s wrong.” She pointed at the front of the building.
Savannah gasped at the police tape across the broken door hanging open several inches. The wood casing around theentry was splintered where someone had forced their way in. Had Martine been injured?
Savannah took a few steps closer and found red spray paint on the big front window.Dead Man Walking.Was that a warning for Hez? Maybe Martine would know.
She fumbled for her phone from her purse and pulled up Martine’s number, but the call wouldn’t go through. “Her phone isn’t working. Can you find out anything from the office?”
“I’m on it.” Nora pulled out her phone and turned away to talk to her office.
Savannah hesitated to call Hez. Police might think she assumed he’d tried to hurt Martine.
Savannah’s phone rang withUnknown Caller. She hit the silence button, then reconsidered. What if it was about Simon? She sighed and answered it. “Savannah Webster.”
“Ms. Webster, my name is Tim Kramer, and I work with inmates here at Baldwin County Correctional Facility. I’ve been counseling Deke Willard, and he has become a Christian. He’s quite insistent he needs to ask forgiveness from you and Mr. Webster. Would it be possible for you to come see him today? He’s distraught and wants to get it off his chest before he’s transferred.”
Savannah glanced at the gaping front door to Martine’s office. She might not be able to track Martine down today. “I think we can do that. I’ll call Hez. What time?”
“Would later today work? Like maybe noon?”
It was only eight, so they had time to get there. “We can do that. If Hez can’t make it, I’ll have him text you.”
“Thank you so much. See you then.”
Nora dropped her phone back in her purse. “Martine has disappeared. Someone broke into her office, and it’s trashed. Her computer is missing as well as her files.”
