Page 77 of The Making of Marnie Jones

“Dumb luck.” Jake shook his head and rubbed his hand across his chin, as if deciding how much to say. “Before my time—Phil apparently reported repeatedly on Laura Derks.”

“I knew I recognized him.” She flashed back to the searing look they’d exchanged as the taxi pulled into traffic. The man hadn’t just been angry, he’d been in a blinding rage, face mottled red, and eyes shooting daggers.

“He saw Olivia’d changed her looks, and then he saw you and it all fell into place.” Jake snickered. “If it's any consolation, he won't be doing any reporting for a few days. He’s sporting a black eye.”

Closing her eyes, Marnie flashed back to her own desire to throttle Jake a couple of hours earlier. Where she wanted to stay angry, part of her was glad to hear Phil had gotten his comeuppance.

“Did you get him good?”

“I did.”

“Well, I guess that’s something.” She shifted so she could prop her hip against the desk.What next?Slowly, her anger ebbed, replaced by monumental fatigue. “But I'm still disappointed in you, and you’ve devastated Olivia. She trusted you. I trusted you.”

He held a hand over his heart, appropriately chastised. “I thought I could control the access. I thought Phil’d report on the story without involving Olivia. I never imagined he’d confront her.”

“She wasn’t even aware her mother was missing. Jake, what was going on in your head?”

Pain crossed his face.

She experienced a moment’s sympathy. Then it vanished because he’d brought this on himself. He could have—no, should have—contacted her and warned her that Phil was on a mission.

“Will she talk to me?”

“Not tonight. Even if she wanted to, she's not fit to do so. I'm worried about her. Her needs are my priority. Tonight, I'm going to get her settled and asleep. Tomorrow, I’ll deal with everything else.” She pointed at him. “That includes you.”

He held up his hands in a gesture of defeat. “I trust you to care for her.”

“Well, I need to see to her. It's time for you to go.” Part of her understood this was the right thing to do, and part of her didn’t want to send him on his way. She fought the urge to comfort him, to assure him everything was going to be okay, even if she had no proof that it would be.

“I'll be back tomorrow.”

“I’d be surprised if you weren't.” She headed toward the door, knowing he’d follow. “Give us the morning to get organized.” She pivoted as a thought occurred. “How did you find us? How did you know to bring her clothes?”

He met her gaze with disturbing intensity. “When I realized how bad it was going to get, I knew you wouldn't be willing to stay with me. Wolf told me to pack a bag for Olivia as well because he’s sure her forgiveness will be slow in coming.”

“Wolf?”What the hell?“What does Wolf have to do with this?”

“He called me.” Jake seemed at a loss, his blue eyes searching hers, as if trying to make her understand. “He called me to tell me something was wrong with Olivia. He was angry with me, and he knew what I didn't want to admit—Olivia was rightly upset, and I was to blame. As for finding you, I figured you’d go where you felt safest. Your father’s house seemed like a good guess.” He stopped when they arrived in the front hall. “I asked you to trust me, and you were starting to. Even though I can provide justification for my actions, I can’t undo the damage. I have no right to ask for your trust again, but please plead my case to Olivia. I love her, and I wanted to protect her.”

She held the door open for him. “I can't make any promises, but I will try.”

“That's all I can ask.” With a dip of his head, he departed.

Closing the door, she turned to lean against it. She had no strength left in her, and the notion of climbing the stairs was overwhelming—let alone the idea of sitting down and trying to explain things to the younger woman.

“Laura?” Mrs. Grant soundlessly appeared.

“How’s Olivia?”

“Asleep, thank goodness. She was completely overwrought. She allowed me to make her mug of hot chocolate, but she barely finished it before falling asleep. I put her in the room next to yours, and your bed is ready.”

Mrs. Grant’s expression was Marnie’s undoing. Compassion and caring when she needed them most. “Is there any hot chocolate left?”

“For you? Always.”

Chapter twenty-six

WhenJakeenteredthecondo, more guilt beset him. The emptiness mocked him because it’d been in this very room he’d taken the photograph of Olivia and Marnie. Unthinking, he sent the photo to his work email, as he did with all the photos he took. His economical and logical work habit now ranked among one of his most colossal errors. He wanted to fall into bed but hadn't eaten since breakfast. Food wasn't a luxury but a necessity. He didn't bother to reheat the Chinese food, instead opting to eat it cold, straight from the container.

---