Page 55 of Shadow

For his wife?

Oh brother. “Put on the tracker,” he said to Roger, then Destiny. He must have had a tone, because they both nodded.

Daphne glanced at him—with what, relief, maybe?

Roger took the anklet and put it on. “It’s uncomfortable.”

Destiny sat on the Queen Anne chair. Asher knelt in front of her and put it on.

“It’s heavy. And rather obvious.”

Daphne activated it with a remote. A light beeped on. “They’ll see exactly what it looks like—a medical alert device for someone whose son just had emergency surgery. Completely normal. No one will question it.”

Destiny studied the device, then sighed. “I suppose that makes sense.” She adjusted it delicately. “How do I look?”

“Safe,” Daphne said. “That’s how you look.”

Asher tested the tracking system. Both signals clear, both devices functioning. Daphne began stocking the kitchen, unpacking supplies delivered to the house—coffee, bread, basics.

The doorbell rang.

They both froze. Already?

Daphne moved to the door while Asher positioned himself to the side, hand near his weapon. She opened it.

A woman stood there holding a welcome basket. Late fifties, friendly face, brown hair with natural gray showing. Yoga pants and tunic, Apple Watch on her wrist.

“Hello!” Bright smile, warm energy. “I’m Ruthie Carson from across the way. Wanted to welcome you to Aspen Ridge!”

Daphne’s expression shifted from professional to warm in half a second. “Hi! Thank you so much. That’s very kind.”

“I saw you moving in and thought I’d bring some cookies and a community directory.” She held out the basket, the scent of chocolate chip cookies drifting into the house. “I live in the blue house right next door.”

“I’m Daphne Morrison.” Daphne took the basket. “This is my husband, Asher.”

Asher stepped forward and extended his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Ruthie shook it. “Morrison! I saw that on the new resident directory. And you have family moving in?”

“Yes,” Daphne said. “My mother-in-law Destiny and my brother-in-law Roger.”

“How wonderful! What brings you all to Aspen Ridge?”

Asher caught Daphne’s subtle glance—his cue. “Destiny just moved into the area, and Roger just had surgery. Needed a quiet place to recover. We’re helping them get settled.”

Ruthie’s expression shifted to concern. “Oh my! What kind of surgery?”

“Appendectomy,” Daphne said smoothly. “Emergency situation, but he came through well.”

“That’s frightening. When was the surgery?”

“Two weeks ago,” Asher said automatically.

“About ten days,” Daphne said at the same time.

Silence. Brief, but there. A dog barked somewhere down the street, and the wind rustled the ornamental grasses in the landscaping.

Ruthie’s eyebrows rose slightly. “Well, still very recent either way. He must be exhausted.”