Page 1 of Bad Business

PROLOGUE

WILLOW

If there was ever a moment I’d wished for a time machine, it’s now. I stare at the two men standing before me, one I’ve known my entire life, hearing but not computing the words coming out of their mouths. A thousand questions sit on the tip of my tongue, but none of them escape my lips. Time seems to freeze, each second stretching into an eternity as I struggle to grasp the reality of the situation. The weight of their words bears down on me, and the room feels suddenly suffocating as if the very air was conspiring against me. My mind races, searching for any semblance of clarity amid the chaos, but all I find is a void of incomprehension and shock.

“Willow, did you hear what I said? Do you need to sit down?”

Blinking back at the absurdity of his words, I shake my head. “I don’t need to sit down.” I snap my words, knowing full well it isn’t either of their fault they are here, delivering news I’ve not yet come to accept. “Are you sure it was Lark?”

Brian exchanges a sorrowful gaze with the one in uniform, who introduced himself as Officer Davis.

“Yes, ma’am. We’re sure. Is there someone we can call for you?”

“She was the only person I had left.” I finally let the blow hit its mark and let out a sob. How was I going to bury the last person in my family? Our parents died in a car crash a year ago.

“Wait.” I inhale in a sharp breath at the realization that they haven’t mentioned my niece. “Where is Juniper?” My chest tightens as panic begins to settle inside my bones.

“Willow, take a breath.” Brian steps forward and places his hand against my shoulder.

Shrugging off his hold, I jerk away from his touch. “My niece. Where is my niece?”

“She wasn’t with your sister. She’s at preschool, Willow.” Brian steps forward like he’s going to hug me, but I move back out of his reach.

“No…” I glance at my watch. “I need to go to her.” I shove around the wall of men and start toward my office door.

“Willow, we need you to come with us. The coroner will need you to make an identification.”

“Later. That can wait for later. I need to get to my niece.”

“Willow?” My receptionist takes in my frantic state. “Is everything all right?” She glances at the two police officers coming out of my office behind me.

“No… it’s not. Can you cancel all my appointments, Cassie? Tell my clients I’m sorry, but there’s been a family emergency.”

“Should I reschedule them for later this week?”

I freeze and hang my head. The tears I’ve been fighting back began snaking down my cheeks.

“No. I don’t know when I can see them. Lark’s dead. I need to get Juniper.”

Her sudden gasp is like a bullet to my heart. “Oh, my God. What can I do?”

Turning toward Cassie, I shrug, “Nothing. … I’ll call you, okay?”

“Of course.” She starts around the counter and stops. “Whatever you need, Willow.”

I step out into the midday sun and tilt my head to the sky. How has my morning gone from routine to an epic disaster? I try to think back to the last conversation I had with my sister. Had I told her I loved her? Shaking away the forlorn train of thought, I hurry to my car.

“Willow,” Brian approaches my car and pulls open the door. “Are you okay to drive? I can take you to Juniper. You shouldn’t be driving upset.”

Suddenly, I take in the pain etched in his expression. He’s the one who had to deliver the devastating blow, a job no one should have to do, and he knows Lark, too. She isn’t just a victim to him, and I’m not just an unknown family member. Even without my expertise in psychology, I know he’s likely feeling guilty over being the harbinger of devastation to me. Deep down, he has to know this will change things between us.

“I’ll be fine. Once I get her, I’ll come and make the identification. I-I need to hold my niece.”

“Of course.” He steps back and lets me slide in behind the wheel. “When you’re ready, call me, and I’ll meet you there.”

“Thank you… I’m sorry, Brian, but I need to go.” I buckle my seat belt and turn on the car. “I’ll call you.”

Brian shuts my door and moves back. He stands watching as I ease my car from its spot and navigate onto the roadway. My life, my niece's life, is about to change in a way I’m completely unprepared for. As I drive, every second feels like an eternity. Thoughts of Lark flood my mind—memories of our childhood, the bond we shared, and the promise I made to protect her and Juniper ache inside my chest. Tears blur my vision, but I blink them away, determined to stay focused.

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