Woman on the Edge(48)

His eyes have black circles beneath them, and a thin layer of stubble covers his jaw. Maybe I have it all wrong. He does seem to be grieving.

Ben must also see it because he says, “I’m sorry, Greg, about Nicole.”

“I’m sorry, too.” His voice cracks.

Both men are uncomfortable. They’re family, but it’s as if they don’t know each other.

Ben reaches out and touches Quinn’s back. “I took care of her the best I could.”

Greg nods, holding Quinn slightly away from himself, as though he’s afraid to get too close. I’m not sure he even notices that she’s fallen asleep.

“I don’t know how much you’re aware of, Ben, about Nicole before …” He glances at his hand, which is bare of a wedding ring. “Nicole changed so much after Quinn was born that I didn’t recognize her. She refused to let me get her some help. She fell apart, and I left. I couldn’t live with her paranoia. But I loved her, and I never wanted anything bad to happen to her.”

Greg’s mouth slackens as though he’s weighed down by regret. I used to pride myself on being able to read between the lines with the families I counseled. When a child said he was good or fine and offered no information, I knew to dig deeper. But now, I have no idea what’s real and what isn’t. All I know is that now is my moment.

“Did you ask your assistant to follow me?” I ask. “She drives a Prius. Someone tried to kill us. Do you realize that?”

To my astonishment, Greg laughs. “Why would I ask Melissa to follow you? From what she tells me, you threatened her. And what exactly are you doing here shacked up with Nicole’s brother if you’re such a total stranger to all of this? Who are you, really? We don’t even know you.”

Ben crosses his arms over his chest. “Look, Greg. I really don’t think Morgan had anything to do with this. We’ve been stalked and something really weird is going on. I love Quinn. I’m worried for her safety.”

I look at Ben, hoping he can see how much it means to me that he would defend me.

Greg’s face reddens. “Ben, are you blind?” He gestures at me with his chin. “What is this woman doing here? Focus your attention on that. Quinn will be fine. I’ll make sure of it.”

Ben’s voice gets louder. “We think Nicole might have been in danger. Did she ever mention Donna and Amanda Taylor?”

Greg shakes his head. “I never heard her mention either of those names. Who are they?”

He continues as though he never asked the question. “Nicole used to be the most ambitious and relentless person I knew. But from the moment Quinn was born, she … lost it.”

“How could you leave her like that? A new mother, suffering, and your own newborn?” Ben asks, moving right by my side.

“You’re asking me how I could leave her? Where have you been all her life, Ben?”

Ben looks as though he’s just been punched in the gut.

“I think we need to come to terms with the fact that Nicole jumped in front of that train. She was depressed and suicidal. And why on earth are you getting all friendly with a total stranger who happened to be on the platform at the same time? Why is she in your house with my daughter? What does she really want?”

Hot fury broils inside me, but for the sake of Quinn, I wrestle down my emotion. “Mr. Markham, you need to know that really strange things are happening.” I watch him carefully. “Quinn is in danger. You might be, too.”

Greg looms over me. “Are you threatening me?”

“No!” I yell, too forcefully. “I’m telling you that someone wants to hurt me, Ben, and Quinn.”

Suddenly, Quinn wakes up. She’s crying so hard she’s almost choking, wriggling wildly in her father’s arms. Greg fumbles with her. He has no clue how to soothe his child. It’s awful to watch.

“I never want this woman near my daughter again. I’m Quinn’s father. She belongs with me. I’ve rented a house on North Astor Street and that’s where we’ll be.”

Ben’s cheeks flame, but he says nothing. I know I can’t step in. Doing so won’t help either of us.

I stare at Quinn, trying to memorize her silky tufts of hair, blue eyes, and soft cheeks.

Greg opens the front door. Ben sees him out. I head to the large bay window in the living room and peek out to see Greg put Quinn in a red BMW.

It’s then that I notice her. That red hair. It’s Melissa Jenkins. In the passenger seat.





CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX NICOLE




Before

Lost and Confused: I’m sorry for everything you’ve gone through.



Nicole pressed send.

A couple of minutes later, there was a ding indicating she had a new message.

Her stomach twisted with a mix of fear and elation. With shaking fingers, she clicked on the message.

Morose in Chicago: Thank you. I just wish I could erase the past. Do you ever feel that?



Nicole’s breath caught in her throat. Yes, she felt that every minute of every day since Amanda died.

Lost and Confused: Always. I …



Nicole stopped typing. How much could she tell this stranger? She deleted what she’d written. Her fingers tapped again.

Lost and Confused: It’s a horrible feeling when people blame you for something that you never intended or planned to happen. What happened with your husband? I’m sorry, by the way. Sorry for your loss.