Page 75 of His Loving Wife

“Everything Vincent has told us about his family is a lie. His family was murdered, Andrew. And the police think he’s responsible.” I feel like I should pause, give him time to process, but each passing second is a threat to our safety. “You know your friend Cal? He’s dead. His family, too. I think Vincent might have been involved.”

Andrew squints and cocks his head to the side. “Kate, what are you talking about?”

“I know it sounds crazy, but there are articles that prove what I’m saying. The police assume he’s on the run, and they’re searching for him. I even looked up the jammer we found in the garage. It was registered in Vincent’s name.Hebrought it into our house, not Paul.” I don’t tell him I believe Paul might be somehow pulling the strings from behind bars.

Andrew places his hands on my shoulders. “You’re saying Cal is dead? And his entire family?”

“Yes. And I think Vincent is somehow at fault. It’s too much a coincidence that his own family is dead, too. And now he’s here with us. I’m afraid we’re in danger.”

“Mom, come on.” Willow is irritated. “It’s starting to rain.”

Andrew ignores Willow. We both turn back and look at the house. The windows are dark because the power has been cut, and the howling wind is bending the leaves of the plants on the patio.

“The keys are inside. I’ll come up with some excuse to get you out of the house. You take the kids somewhere safe. Somewhere public. He won’t be as suspicious if I stay behind.”

“But what if he hurts you?”

“All that matters is getting you and the kids away from him. If you’re right, and he is here to hurt us, we need to stay one step ahead of him.”

I’m elated he’s not dismissing my concerns. The four of us walk up the ramp, droplets of rain sprinkling our shoulders. We enter the house together. Willow first, Andrew bringing up the rear.

Without electricity, the house is dark. Vincent has lit several candles, scattering them around the kitchen like little prayers.

“I hope you don’t mind.” He nods to the platter on the counter. “I spotted Noah’s fish in the fridge. If we hurry, I might be able to bake it on the grill outside.”

“What about the power?” Noah asks, looking around the dark room.

“Looks like a charcoal grill. We might have to eat in the dark, but at least we can have a good meal,” Vincent says, not even a hint of something sinister in his voice. “You missed a lovely day of fishing, Kate. I don’t know if Andrew told you, but I wanted to cook dinner tonight. It’s my way of thanking you for being so welcoming to me the past couple of days.”

“That’s very kind, Vincent.” I wander over to the island and look for the car keys. They aren’t there. “I’m just going to run a quick errand first.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, Kate wanted to snap a picture of the kids,” Andrew says, gently placing his jacket on the counter. “Before we leave.”

“Here’s an idea,” Vincent says. “Why don’t I take a picture of the four of you?”

“That’s nice, really,” I say, still looking around the living room for the keys. “You should get busy cooking. It won’t take us long.”

I go into the bedroom, looking on the dressers and inside drawers.

“Willow? Noah?” I call into the other room. “Either of you seen my keys?”

“No,” they shout back in unison.

I walk back to the living room to find Andrew sitting on the sofa. He looks deflated with his shoulders hunched and his gaze on the floor.

“I really need to find the keys,” I say under my breath. By now the kids have gone to their rooms. We’re the only two in the living room, although Vincent stands in the kitchen within earshot.

“I don’t know where they are.” Andrew looks up at me. “I’m sure the kids have misplaced them.”

They’re gone. Just like our cell phones. This is deliberate.

“What are we going to do?” I whisper desperately.

“I’ll see if I left them on the boat.” He stands quickly and exits the room. Without saying anything, Vincent follows him outside, and I fear he’s aware that I’m on to whatever he’s planning.

We’re alone, but only for a minute. I march down the hallway. Willow is about to enter the bathroom when I jerk her arm, pulling her into Noah’s room.

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