Page 42 of Diamonds & Deception

“I’m sorry, Mom. I wish there was something I could do.”

“He’ll be happy to see you when you come home.”

“You think? Or will I be a reminder that he doesn’t have a daughter anymore and you do? I don’t want him to resent me.”

Randy has been an amazing stepfather, and I’ve never felt anything but love and respect from him. I went to their house to say goodbye before I left for Boston. He hugged me and sobbed into my shoulder, saying how lucky Mom was to still have a daughter.

Survivor’s guilt, even though I was nowhere near Boston when Carly was killed, it eats at me.

“I don’t know, sweetie. You could be right. Maybe right now isn’t the best time to come home. I wish I could spend more time with you, but Randy needs me here.”

“Of course he does.” I open a tab on my computer that has the list of detectives working on the case. “While I’m here, how would you feel if I contacted Detective Marshall to see if he’s any closer to finding Carly’s killer? I’m sure having closure will help Randy.”

“Honestly, I don’t think he even cares at this point. He’s beyond wanting retribution. If it doesn’t bring Carly back, he’s not interested. But if you want to talk to him, go ahead. Just don’t mention anything about the case to Randy. I think it’s too much for him to bear.”

“Okay. I love you, Mom. Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you and Randy, okay?”

“Be safe, sweetheart. That’s all I want. Your safety, happiness, and health.”

“I’ll do what I can.”

“I love you, baby girl.”

“Love you too, Mom.”

After we hang up, I feel no better about my predicament. I can’t talk to my mother about Drake. The only confidant I have is across the ocean. I call her, hoping I’m not catching her at a bad time.

“Hey, girlfriend. How’s the casino-guy sex?”

“That’s your first question?”

“Um, yeah. He’s a hottie. Seduce the guy into giving you the deets. Worst-case scenario, he’s involved in some way. You’ll still have gotten your world rocked. Wait. Actually, the worst-case scenario is he’s a lousy lay,andhe’s involved. Shit. That would suck.”

“It’s not scenario number two.”

“You slut.” Lenora barks out a laugh.

I fall back on the couch and close my eyes. “I’m so confused. He’s totally amazing to me. He makes me feel cherished and like I’m the most beautiful woman in the world.”

“Yeah. That’s gotta suck.”

I ignore her sarcasm. “This morning I snooped around his penthouse.”

“Shut the fuck up! The last time we talked, he didn’t tell you who he was. Now he’s boinking you in his penthouse?”

“Yeah, well, after he left for work this morning, I snooped around and found a file on his desk. He’s working with the Donahues. Lenora, this isn’t good. It’s like all those Mafia movies. These men are sleek and treat their women like royalty at first while on the side they’re offing people, dealing drugs and weapons.”

“And have a slew of mistresses.”

I squeeze my eyes even harder. Drake sleeping with women on the side is not what I want to imagine. Although Lenora is doing a better job at making me un-fall for Drake than my mom did.

“Tell me again what the problem is. You came to Boston, borrowed my identity, and shacked up in my apartment to get insider information on the casino by seducing Drake Reynolds.” When I don’t respond, she fills the silence. “Holy fuck. You’re in love.”

“It’s not love.”

“Serious liking then.”

“Yeah.”

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