Page 14 of Over the Edge

“Before or after?”

“After, but not by much.” She gave her a quick recap of the day’s events.

“Oh, Lindsey.” Dismay and sympathy suffused Madeleine’s inflection. “I’m sorry you have to deal with that on top of everything else.”

“Me too. I’m beginning to feel like Job.”

“Are you all right?”

“Physically, yes.” Except for a persistent case of the shakes. “Mentally, we’ll see.”

“Go see that psychologist again if you need to.”

“Trust me, I have his card at hand. Did the news story mention any suspects?”

“No. Do they have one?”

“Not as far as I know. I wasn’t much help, even though I saw the person. I doubt Chad was able to offer anything either.”

“Who?”

“Chad Allen, from church. He did some carpentry work at my condo a few months ago, and I recommended him to Heidi Robertson when she mentioned having trouble finding someone to do small projects. He was working in the pool house today.”

“That’s unfortunate, given his background.”

True. A former homeless veteran who’d lived on the street for two years no doubt preferred to walk a wide circle around law enforcement.

“I hope the cops don’t hassle him. From everything I’ve seen, he’s got his act together now.”

“I agree. But I expect the police will consider everyone a suspect until they find the real culprit.”

“Let’s hope that’s soon. The killer didn’t see me, but knowing they’re still on the loose is more than a little unnerving.”

“Understandable. You know, I think I’ll call Dara. If I were Chad’s wife, I’d be glad to have a friend reach out in support.”

“I may call her too when I get home.” After that hot bath.

“Aren’t you there now?”

“No. I’m finishing up the cooking for my every-other-Friday client.” She slid off the stool and put the pan of shrimp back on the burner.

“After everything that happened today, you should be home decompressing, not cooking.”

“You sound like the detective who interviewed me.” A man she was trying hard to forget. But Madeleine didn’t know that story, and this wasn’t the time to bring it up.

“Why didn’t you listen to him? Your clients would have understood.”

“I think you two compared notes.” She shook the pan of shrimp with more force than necessary. “I know the worldwouldn’t have ended if I’d slacked off, but that’s not how I’m wired. Besides, it isn’t professional to walk away from a job. This is a career, not a hobby.”

“Hey. I’m not your mom.” Madeleine’s rebuke was gentle but firm. “You don’t have to prove anything to me—or to her.”

Lindsey drew in a slow, steadying breath. Madeleine was right. She was an established chef. A pro with American Culinary Academy and Le Cordon Bleu credentials. Her job was every bit as legitimate and important as the marketing VP position her mother held.

No matter what Mom thought.

“Thanks for the reminder. And as soon as I wrap up here, I’m going home—where I intend to hibernate and indulge for the entire weekend.”

“I like that plan. Will you emerge for church on Sunday, assuming this sleet is short-lived?”

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