Page 21 of The White Picket Fence

Charlotte smiled fondly. “She is. She’s been Dottie’s neighbor since before I was born. One of my earliest memories is making Christmas cookies with her and Dottie when my parents dropped me off for a weekend visit.”

Charlotte’s aunt had been a big part of her life, especially since she’d taught at their high school. She’d hung out in Mrs. Johnson’s room after class, which was how Tino had gotten to know her better. He’d also hung out in the art room, hungry for the opportunity to paint—and hungry for the praise Mrs. Johnson always heaped upon him.

“I heard about your folks,” Tino said. “I’m sorry.” Her parents had died in a car accident years ago.

“Thank you. How are your parents?”

Tino shrugged. “They’re still married, but they had a falling out over some lies my mother told him awhile back. My mother spends a lot of time with her sister in Jersey these days. I don’t miss her, but I feel bad for my father, because I think he does miss her, at least a little bit. He didn’t deserve to be manipulated by her. But Dad will be okay. He’s got congestive heart disease but still gets around. Still lives on his own, although we all stop by during the week to make sure he’s okay. He’s constantly surrounded by grandchildren and that makes him happy.”

“I’m glad he’s doing well. He was always so nice to me.”

That his mother hadn’t been nice to Charlotte didn’t need to be said. Tino’s mother had always been critical of her children, which was why he’d spent so much time with the Garganos as a teenager. He’d tried to keep Charlotte out of his mother’s way as much as he’d been able.

Charlotte sighed. “I’ve stalled long enough. Can I see the drawing you made at Mrs. Murphy’s house?”

He figured she’d ask. “I only got a sketch of his eyes, because that’s all your aunt’s neighbor saw. But they’re identical to the eyes your aunt described.”

Her expression tightened. “So he did come back. Why?”

Tino had a theory, but it would only make her feel more paranoid. More vulnerable. He’d wondered to himself if the man had been looking for Charlotte both times, beating her aunt because Charlotte wasn’t there.

It sounded a little crazy, which was why he’d kept it to himself.

“I don’t know.” Technically not a lie because he didn’t know. “But at least we know it wasn’t your Memphis stalker.”

“Right.” She nodded hard. “That will let me sleep better tonight.”

“Does your apartment have security?”

“Kind of. The night guard is a little wacky, so we all avoid her. She’s one of those end-of-the-world people who has a huge gun safe and tells everyone all about it. I imagine her going home to an underground bunker.” She gave an exaggerated shudder. “I wish I’d known before I moved in. I might have picked another apartment building.”

“Where do you live?”

“Rittenhouse.”

Tino couldn’t keep his eyes from popping wide. “Whoa. Restaurant reviews must pay well.” That was the swanky part of the city.

“Nah. More like my ex wishes he’d made me sign a prenup. He made money after we got married and I got half of it when we divorced. Which I felt entitled to after he started sleeping with his assistant.”

“Then he was a dick, and you’re better off without him.”

“When we get our drinks, we can toast to that.”

“Sounds like a plan. I’m serious, though. Will you be safe there?”

“Yes,” she said, but he heard the doubt in her voice.

He had until dinner was over to convince her to stay somewhere else.

With me.

No,notwith me.

“Maybe you should book a hotel room. Just until the cops find the guy who hurt your aunt.”

“If I do that, I might never go home. I’ll be fine at home. I have extra locks on my doors, and I’m on the ninth floor. Nobody can get to my window and if they do, the glass isn’t breakable. It’s the kind that firefighters need a special saw to get through. It’s safe.”

“Good. You being safe is all I care about.” He was not angling to get Charlotte Walsh under his roof.

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