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“Why isn’t this all over the internet? Being reported in the media? I haven’t heard so much as a bloody peep about something like this, and I’ve been checking the news. Constantly. Why—”
“Because Agent Curran believes keeping it under wraps, at least for a few more days, could help him track down Nick.”
“A few more days? So that animal can do this to even more women?” I searched Julia’s eyes, unsure how she could remain so calm about this.
“The FBI, along with the GBI, is doing everything they can to prevent that from happening,” Nikko assured me. “In the meantime, the fact Nick believes Christine Griffin died as a result of his assault can work to our advantage.”
“How? I—”
“He used to go to funerals. Visitations. Burials,” Julia explained. “Liked watching people mourning the women he killed.”
“Agent Curran plans to stage a memorial for her,” Nikko added. “This Friday.”
“And he hopes by not publicizing his involvement in this, Nick will show up?”
Julia nodded. “I don’t like it any more than you do. But if Nick’s doing this…” She bit her lower lip to stop it from quivering. “If he’s torturing and brutalizing innocent women because of me—”
“Don’t you dare,” I interjected, grabbing her biceps. “Don’t you dare put this on you. This is on him, and only him.”
She nodded, but I could tell she still felt responsible.
I probably would have in her position, too.
“If Nick’s going to these…extremes, I want Agent Curran to do everything in his power to find him. And that’s exactly what he plans to do.” She rested her hand against my cheek. “He will find him. He can’t run forever.”
I pulled her into my arms, relishing in the feel of her small body against mine. I hated everything about this. Hated the idea of Nick being on the loose and victimizing more women. Hated the idea Julia felt responsible for his actions.
Hated the idea Nick would do the same to Julia if the opportunity presented itself.
The only thing preventing me from having a full-blown panic attack was the fact I knew she was safe here.
“What about Imogene returning to school?” I pulled back to meet her eyes. “You’re not going to send her back now, are you? Not with this.”
“Yes.” She swallowed hard. “I am.
“But—”
“She doesn’t know about this. And, right now, I have no intention of telling her about it. This isn’t… No fourteen-year-old should have to hear about something like this. Especially when…” She trailed off, attempting to collect her emotions. “I’m not telling her. Not until I have to. I can’t suddenly backtrack on my decision to allow her to return to school. She’d know something was up.”
“So? Just tell her Nick attacked a woman and leave out the details. Tell her—”
“I don’t want to backtrack on this decision, Lachlan. Like I said the other day—”
“You refuse to let Nick control you.”
She shrugged. “We need to live our lives.” She forced out a smile. “Even with these new…developments.”
I pulled my lips between my teeth, fearing that living our lives as if nothing were wrong would be our downfall. And I couldn’t stomach the idea of anything happening to Julia. To Imogene. To this little family I’d managed to find when I least expected it.
“Come on.” Julia linked her fingers with mine. “Let’s crawl into bed for a few hours before I need to take Imogene to school.”
It seemed selfish to even consider sleeping. But the idea of stealing a few minutes with Julia sounded like exactly what I needed. Then I could figure out what to do.
“Get some rest, Pohili. Everything will be fine. I swore I’d keep your girls safe, and I never go back on my word. Promise.”
I met Nikko’s gaze. “Mahalo, cousin.”
“Anything for you.”
