Page 133 of See How They Hide

“Do you need me to stay, as well?” Ryder asked.

Normally, Ryder would do anything that was asked of him, but Kara sensed in his tone that he wanted to leave.

“No, you need downtime. We all do.”

“I’ll book us on a flight out of Durango first thing in the morning,” Ryder said. “I made hotel reservations, and arranged with one of the Denver agents to drive us.”

“Thank you,” Matt said. “I owe you.”

“No, sir, you really don’t. I’m glad you’re not seriously injured.”

Catherine cleared her throat. “Kara, I owe you an apology.”

Kara couldn’t keep the surprise off her face. Not only because Catherine was apologizing to her, but because she was doing it in front of Matt and the others.

Kara shrugged. “I doubt it.”

“I allowed my personal feelings to interfere with my professional responsibilities. You are a very good cop. You see and understand a lot more than I gave you credit for, because I—” she cleared her throat “—I didn’t like that you were in a relationship with Matt. That’s my personal issue, not yours. You haven’t done anything to make me or anyone believe your relationship has put any case in jeopardy. So, I am sorry.”

Kara didn’t know how to respond. Matt didn’t say anything. Accepting the apology was solely up to her.

She didn’t want to, because sometimes Catherine intentionally made her feel inferior. But that was Kara letting Catherine make her feel less than. Now, with the apology, Kara hoped that would change. And if it didn’t...maybe she’d just call her on it.

“Accepted,” she said.

Catherine visibly relaxed. “Thank you.” She stood and said, “Have a safe trip home. I’ll see you in a few days.”

When she left, Kara said, “Wow. I didn’t expect that.”

“It was a long time coming,” Matt said.

“Agreed,” Michael said. “Though maybe now you can stop deliberately baiting her.”

“Maybe,” Kara said with a half smile. “But sometimes, it’s fun to pull her chain.”

TWO WEEKS LATER

51

Havenwood

Riley stood in the center of Havenwood and felt for the first time since her grandma died that she was home.

It was an odd feeling. She’d been raised here, and then there had been violence and sorrow.

But there had also been good.

She remembered learning about edible plants from her grandmother. About how to bake bread from Aunt Thalia. About carpentry from William and animals from Andrew. She remembered the harsh winters and beautiful summers. How she tried and failed a hundred times to quilt, and marveled at Tess’s swift, sure fingers as she created clothes from cloth.

Havenwood was not the world, but it wasaworld, and her past wasn’t all bad.

Now Havenwood was hers.

Ryder Kim had told her that her grandfather William had left a will giving the land to her if Thalia was deceased. That alone wouldn’t have guaranteed the transfer, but the original deed was clear: descendants of Thaddeus Riley, William’s grandfather, could stay on the land. William had legally adopted Calliope, something Riley hadn’t known. Because the adoption was legal, Riley was his legal granddaughter and one of his descendants.

In fact, his only descendant. The last heir because William’s brother had signed over all rights to Havenwood long ago.

When Riley died, if she had no children, the land would be deeded back to the government, unless she signed away her rights to them before then.

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