Page 195 of Taken Away

The way he seemed completely unbothered by her scrutiny.

Finally, Anne folded her arms.

"How long have you known my daughter?"

“Not long.”

"And she's staying with you."

"Anne."

"What?"

"When they discovered Mabel had been murdered and we had a prowler running around the property, Sheriff Burke told me I shouldn't stay here alone."

Anne's eyebrows lifted.

"A prowler?"

"Someone was on the property," Aubrey said. "Burke thought it was best if I stayed somewhere else, and Bennett offered."

Anne stared at her.

"Someone was creeping around this house after Mabel was murdered, and you never told me?"

"There wasn't anything you could've done from Florida."

"That's not the point."

"Burke released the house this morning, but Bennett thought I'd be safer staying with him a little longer."

Anne's gaze shifted to Bennett.

"You've been looking after her."

"I wasn't going to let her stay here alone."

Anne looked back at Aubrey.

"And when were you planning to mention any of this?"

"When I thought you wouldn't overreact."

"I'm your mother. I don't like finding things out after the fact."

The line was pure Anne.

Part concern.

Part performance.

Aubrey could never quite tell where one ended and the other began.

Anne looked back at Bennett.

The man didn't so much as blink.

Anne noticed that too.