Page 42 of Trust No One

The alarm on my phone buzzed. “Got to get back to the house. I’ve got a contractor meeting me.”

“On a Sunday?”

“He said he’s slammed. Today’s his only free day.”

“Who?”

“Brad Lawson.”

He nodded, approving. “The Hale name still has magic.”

“No magic. Just a hell of a payday if I opt to renovate the house.”

“Oh, there’s magic in the name. Opens all kinds of doors.”

“Maybe here. But in the rest of the world, it means nothing.”

“If you say so,” he said.

“I want those tox results.”

“I’ll be in touch.”

The hallway was stifling, and I was suddenly anxious to be in the crisp air. I rode the elevator to the parking deck, where the air was heavy with dampness. My boots clicked. A car door opened and closed. I tensed.

Easing into my SUV, I locked the doors.

Pete had smiled when he attacked me. Danger had been in front of me. And I hadn’t seen it. Now, I saw it everywhere.

Chapter Sixteen

Raine

Sunday, October 18, 2026, 11:00 a.m.

The contractor’s large gray truck was parked in front of Hale House. Lawson Contracting. I’d gone to high school with the owner, Brad Lawson. He was two grades behind me and had played JV football. Five years ago, he’d taken over his father’s remodeling business.

If his numbers were reasonable, I’d ask around about references. In a small town, it was hard to hide trouble.

I walked toward his van. Brad unfolded himself out of the driver’s seat. I’d forgotten how tall he was or how massive his shoulders were. Gray hair feathered among the black, and he’d traded a good bit of muscle for fat.

“Brad,” I said.

He grinned. “Miss Hale.” His embrace swallowed me whole, pressed bruised ribs. If I’d wanted out, I couldn’t.

“How are you?”

“Can’t complain.” He loosened his arms. “Dad has fully retired. I run the whole outfit. More work than I know what to do with. But a good problem, right?”

“Thanks for making the time.”

“How could I refuse?” He grabbed a clipboard from the front seat and closed the door. He studied the house. “Been wondering what you’d do with the house. She’s been sitting alone for years.”

“I returned for one quick visit last year.” I’d walked the house, inventoried more decay, and then left. I’d never spent the night in Hale House until this return. “And Maria and Gabe kept an eye on the place.”

His expression dimmed. “How’s she doing? Did she really have a heart attack?”

“That’s what the doctors are saying. She’s a little better. We’re waiting on more tests.”