Page 53 of Only Girl Alive

“I’ve thought about a therapist. I just don’t know.” She sniffed.

“You made the best choices you could. What happened was not your fault. You thought you were keeping us safe. You rescued me when you understood I was in danger. I don’t hold what happened in my childhood against you.” She had blamed her mother for long enough. If it weren’t for Maggie, Eve’s entire life would have been one nightmare after another.

“Thank you, Eve. I will find a therapist, I promise.”

“I’m glad. I’ll let you get back to work.”

“I love you, honey. Never forget that.”

“I love you too.” It felt good to say the words.

Eve disconnected. Her emotions were raw. She should have done this years ago. Her mother never gave herself enough credit for the strength she instilled in Eve. She had demons Eve couldn’t imagine. Maybe one day, Eve would have answers to some of the many questions she’d had since childhood.

Maggie needed to forgive herself first.

Eve lay down on Bina’s bed. Her eyes grew heavy and finally her sleepy brain let go. She didn’t dream, at least not anything she remembered.

She checked the time when she woke up and two hours had passed. She decided on another hot shower to help her body aches. It felt great and she was a new person by the time she got out. Her headache was gone and hopefully would stay that way.

Bina arrived at the room. She looked at the bed and the photos a few times but didn’t ask what Eve had found.

“The interviews were uneventful,” she said. “The women wanted their husband present but talked to us after we told them it wouldn’t happen. I swear they’re almost relieved.”

“They are,” Eve agreed. “They know if they mess up and tell you something they shouldn’t that they will be in trouble. Easier to misspeak and get away with it if their husband isn’t there. Most walk a fine line. It’s difficult to be as perfect as what’s expected of them. They’re also scared about the homicides. They’ve been told God punished the Tanners. They don’t want the same punishment.”

“That’s sick.”

“I completely agree.”

Clyde knocked and Bina let him in. He glanced at the photos and timeline cards on her bed.

“Collin and Ray have sub sandwiches in their room,” he said after glancing from the bed to Eve and looking her over thoroughly. “You look better than you did earlier.”

“I napped as promised and my head no longer hurts. I know you want me staying put tomorrow but it won’t be easy.”

“Nothing is easy with you,” he grumbled, and Eve bit back a smile. It was nice having someone care about her.

They left the room and joined Collin and Ray.

“Anything new to report?” Eve asked, thankful she was hungry again.

“Nothing exciting,” Collin said between bites. “One houseful of women were convinced the murderers were long-haul truckers spreading evil throughout the country. When we asked why, they told us the truckers carried the deeds of Satan with them.”

“Yeah,” Ray added. “I expected someone to mention aliens. Collin is convinced they exist.”

Collin threw a pillow at him, which Ray tossed back.

“What’s going on this evening?” asked Bina, ignoring the guys.

“I need to show you something and see if you find what I did.”

“Like an actual clue?” Ray grinned. “Those have been few and far between on this case.”

“Maybe more than a clue.”

“Are you sure you’re up to this?” asked Clyde.

“Promise. I feel a lot better. Are we ready to start?”

---