Page 113 of Trust No One

I shook my head. “The courts have granted me custody of Molly.”

“I don’t care what the courts say. She’s my granddaughter.”

Molly had spent little time with her grandmother until recently. Gabe watched the child while Maria worked, and he put her in school or day care when he had a job. Maria’s illness and death had been the exception. “Molly’s moving in with me when she gets out of here.”

Edith’s face pinched with fury. “The hell she is!”

“What’s going on here?” Judson’s voice cut through the tension.

“She’s trying to steal my granddaughter before my son’s body is cold,” Edith said.

“I have a court order,” I said.

“How’s Molly?” Judson asked.

The question brought my thoughts back to what mattered. “She’s still asleep, but she’s more responsive and her coloring is better. If she continues to improve, she can be released in a few hours.”

“She’s not going anywhere with you,” Edith said.

“Edith,” Judson said evenly. “You have every right to petition the court, but for now Raine has custody.”

“I’m not allowing my grandchild to leave with her. There’s been nothing but tragedy since Raine Hale came back.”

Judson motioned a uniformed officer forward. “Show Mrs. Durant into the child’s room. Stay for a few minutes. Then escort her out.” He looked at Edith. “Okay?”

Her chin lifted, her jaw set. “If that’s what it takes to see Molly.”

Edith left with the police officer.

“I have questions for you,” Judson said.

I knew where this was going. “Ken was at Hale House when I pulled up. He offered to help me find Gabe.”

There was a long silence while he studied me. “What was he doing at Hale House?”

“He knows we’re finished, but he won’t let go of me or the estate.”

“Has he said that?”

“It’s how he operates. You remember from high school.”

“Have you checked your car for a tracker?”

“No.” My frown deepened.

“I found an AirTag in Gabe’s truck. Maria admitted to placing it there. It’s so easy to do. We should also check Edith’s car and Maria’s vehicle.”

Stalking. Maria had been tracking Gabe. A year ago, I’d have said Ken wouldn’t do that to me. Now I didn’t know. “I didn’t ask questions. I was desperate for help.” I met his steady gaze. “Who did you find in the creek bed?”

“Amy Stocker.”

“How did she die?” I asked.

“Amy had been in the woods a few days. Livor mortis suggests she died there.”

“She was so close to where Mom was found. That can’t be coincidence.”

“No. I don’t think so.”