They left the room in silence. As crazy as it was, she’d felt sorry for him. He’d seemed genuinely excited about his project, and he wasn’t without talent—but he also seemed to have no idea how violating the project was, and that had bothered her. It still bothered her, but he’d never shown anything but discretion in their business dealings, and he’d never crossed a line with her after that, so she’d kept with the family tradition of having a Barton handle her money. She’d tried to put it out of her mind, and the only person she’d ever told about the incident was Blaire.
Simon put his hand on her back as they all exited Gordon’s office.
“We’re all through, Sylvia,” Kate said.
“Annabelle and Hilda are right down the hall. I’ll take you to them,” she said, and the three of them fell in behind her.
She opened the door, and when Kate stepped inside, her heart stopped. The room was empty. A box of crayons lay on the table, and a half-colored picture had fallen to the floor.
Kate’s heart started pounding, and she felt as if she might faint. “Where is she?” She could barely get the words out. “Where is my daughter?”
“I, I …,” Sylvia stuttered.
Kate felt the room begin to spin, and then she felt her father’s hand on her arm.
“Kate, honey, I’m sure they just went to the bathroom.”
Without a second thought, Kate ran from the room, down the hallway, and pushed open the door to the ladies’ room.
“Annabelle? Hilda?” she yelled, her voice rising hysterically. But there was no answer. A toilet flushed, the stall opened, and a young woman in a suit stepped out, looking confused.
Where were they? Running back out to the hall, she saw Gordon, who was now with the others.
“Kate—,” Gordon began, but before he could finish, the elevator dinged, and the doors opened.
“Mommy, look what Miss Hilda got me.”
Kate spun around and saw Annabelle standing in the elevator, grinning and holding an apple and a juice box.
Kate ran to her, stooped, and picked her up, burying her head in her daughter’s shoulder and shaking with relief.
“Mommy, my juice is spilling,” Annabelle scolded.
Kate brushed the curls back from her forehead. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
“Daddy, look what I have,” Annabelle said, and Simon took her from Kate’s arms. She squealed with delight as he twirled her around.
Kate turned to Hilda. “You scared me to death. Why on earth did you leave like that?” Her tone was sharp.
Hilda shrank back as if she’d been struck. “I’m sorry, Kate. She was hungry, and I remembered there was a store on the ground level of the building. You know I would never let anything happen to her. I watched her like a hawk.” She looked as if she were about to cry.
Kate was furious. Hilda had been told how serious it was that they all be on guard. Kate’s face was still hot, but she held her tongue. She knew too well that spitting out angry words in a tense situation only upped the ante—calmness was an essential element in the operating room. They were all under enough stress as it was, but she was going to have a long talk with Hilda out of Annabelle’s earshot when they got home.
“Everyone’s nerves are a little fragile. Everything’s fine. Now let’s go,” Simon said, giving Kate a reassuring look.
When they reached the parking lot, Kate whispered to Simon and then pulled her father aside.
“What was that all about? Why would Mother want to change her will?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know, but I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Maybe it had something to do with the foundation.”
That made no sense to her. “But why would she ask Gordon to keep it a secret?”
She saw a flicker of anger in his eyes. “I told you, Kate, I don’t know.”
“Mommy, I’m tired,” Annabelle called over.
“Coming,” Kate answered, this revelation about her mother’s wishes still weighing heavily on her mind.
They walked over to where Simon, Hilda, and Annabelle stood waiting. Harrison leaned down to give Annabelle a kiss on the cheek. “See you later, alligator.”
Annabelle giggled. “After while, crocodile.”
Kate put a hand on her father’s arm. “I wish you’d stay with us. I hate thinking of you all alone at the condo.”
“I’ll be okay. I need to be among her things.” He was quiet a moment, then spoke again. “I’m going back to the office tomorrow.”
Kate had joined her father’s cardiology practice after she’d finished her residency and fellowship. There was no way she could concentrate on her patients right now.
She was surprised. “So soon? Are you sure?” She wasn’t sure when she’d be ready to go back, but it didn’t feel like it would be any time soon. There was no way she would be separated from Annabelle while the killer was out there.
“What else am I going to do, Kate? I need to keep busy or I’ll go crazy. And my patients need me.”
Kate nodded. “I understand, I guess. But I can’t. I need some time. I’ve let Cathy know to reschedule my patients for the next few weeks.”
“That’s fine. You take all the time you need. Herb and Claire have offered to take your surgeries until you’re ready to come back.”
“Please thank them for me,” she said, giving him a kiss and going to the car.
As Simon pulled out of the parking lot, Kate listened to Hilda’s gentle voice as she read to Annabelle in the back seat. Before they’d gone more than a few miles, passing Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Annabelle had fallen asleep. The three adults were silent the rest of the trip home, lost in their own thoughts. Kate was glad Blaire was coming over this afternoon. She needed to talk to someone. There had to be some kind of connection or clue she was overlooking, something that she was missing.
The first thing Blaire saw when she pulled into Kate’s driveway was two men in dark suits and coats standing in front of the door. As soon as she parked and stepped out of the convertible, one of them walked over. “Are you expected, ma’am?”
He looked young. Too young to realize that women her age hated being called ma’am.
“Yes. I’m Kate’s friend, Blaire Barrington.”
He held up a finger and opened a notebook. “Your name is here, but I do need to see some ID, please.”
He obviously didn’t read her books. Though the truth was, despite her fame, few people recognized her face. Occasionally, usually at a restaurant, she’d get a request for an autograph. But for the most part, she lived her life in anonymity. Book signings were a different story. She and Daniel were used to long lines and throngs of people, leaving both of them exhausted and with aching hands by the end. Blaire thrived on it.
She pulled out her driver’s license and handed it over, watching as he snapped a picture with his phone, then motioned for her to go ahead. The door opened before she knocked, and Kate stood in the frame, looking pale and drawn.
“What’s with all the guys in black?” Blaire asked.
Kate started to say something, but then shook her head. “Simon hired them. Just in case …”
After