Page 26 of The White Picket Fence

“Okay.” Charlotte’s stomach was clenching and she needed to be alone for a few minutes. “I’m going to get dressed.”

Tino nodded as he made his call. “Nick, it’s Tino.”

She closed the door to her bedroom, muting his voice, and sat on the edge of her bed. It couldn’t be connected. That was simply ridiculous.

She looked up at the knock on the door, startled. She hadn’t gotten dressed. She hadn’t even moved from where she sat on the bed and ten minutes had passed.

“Tino?”

“Yeah, can I come in?”

He sounded...upset. She wanted to tell him no, to go away, that she didn’t want any more bad news. But that would be foolish, and Charlotte prided herself on not being foolish.

“Yes.”

He entered, stopping a foot inside the door. “I remember that quilt.”

She ran her hand over the old fabric. “My grandmother made it for me.”

“It was on your bed when you lived at home.”

“One of the only things I took with me. Tino, what did Lieutenant Lawrence say?”

“First, he hadn’t put together that the murders happened on your street. The case is being handled by my brother Vito’s department. Nick’s going to see if your aunt’s case connects.”

“Okay. What’s the second thing?”

“He got a call from the prison in Memphis this morning. The man who attacked you is dead. He was stabbed in the prison exercise yard two weeks ago. No one is sure who did it. It’s still under investigation.”

Charlotte’s mouth fell open. “Why didn’t they tell me?”

“I don’t know why someone in Memphis didn’t call. Nick was going to call you after eight to tell you. He didn’t want to wake you up.”

“What am I supposed to do next?”

“We’re going to see Vito. I called him after I was done talking to Nick. My sister-in-law is pregnant, and yesterday her doctor put her on bed rest. Vito took today off, so we’re going to his house. I want his opinion on all this.”

Charlotte nodded numbly. “Okay.”

* * *

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Wednesday, March 30, 8:15 a.m.

Tino broughthis car to a stop in front of Vito’s house, then turned to face Charlotte, who’d been silent throughout the entire drive.

“Vito...” Tino sighed. “He was the one I talked to when you left. He was the one who got my life moving forward again.”

Charlotte still stared straight ahead. “He’s still angry with me.”

“A little.” He winced. “Maybe a lot. But he’s a good guy. A great cop. He’ll do his job. He’ll find out who killed the two shop owners on your street, put a third in critical condition, and potentially beat your aunt and left her for dead.”

“Ifthey’re connected.”

“If,” Tino allowed. But it was possible. They at least had to check it out.

“Then let’s get this over with so your sister-in-law can rest.”

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