Page 106 of The Angel Maker

“They were here this morning.”

She hesitated. “Are they there now?”

“No. They haven’t been back yet. It’s just me and Siena here.”

The mention of her daughter’s name sent a crack through her heart. For a moment, she was desperate to speak to her, but she also knew that if she heard her voice she wouldn’t be able to go through with what she had to do. If Sam asked her to come home she would still have the strength to refuse him.

But not Siena.

“Did the police say why they were there?” she asked him.

“They said you broke into Michael Hyde’s house and attacked him.”

She waited.

“They said you claimed he’d been stalking us.”

“I went to his house,” she said. “There were photographs on the wall there. Sketches. Plans. I think he was after Siena. But his father must havetaken them down before the police arrived, to protect him, and I don’t think they believe me. And I know you don’t either. But Ineedyou to, Sam. It’s so important.”

He hesitated.

“I’m actually not surewhatthe police believe right now.”

“But what about you?”

Silence on the line again. He still wasn’t sure. He didn’t want to tell her that and have her hang up on him, but he couldn’t bring himself to lie to her either.

“Please just come home,” he said finally.

“I can’t.”

“Why, Katie? What are you doing?”

And again, she wouldn’t have been able to tell him even if she’d wanted to. Where was she? What was she doing? There were basic, everyday answers to those questions, but right now they landed on a deeper existential level. She felt unmoored and adrift on currents she did not understand.

The wind changed direction. She turned her body against it.

“Listen to me,” she said. “Ineedyou to believe me.”

“I do.”

“No—don’t just say it. Because Hyde might come back. He might still try to hurt Siena. In fact, I’m sure he will. He’s fixated on us for some reason. And when he does, you’re going to need to be ready for him.”

Another moment of silence. And then the implication of what she’d just said dawned on him.

“But what about you?” he said.

She swallowed.

“I love you, Sam. I’m sorry.”

“You shouldn’t be,” he said quickly. “No. You should not be sorry at all.I’msorry. I love you so much. I always have. I haven’t said that enough recently.”

“I know. Just the same. But there’s something I have to do.”

“Just come home to us.”

“I’ll try,” she said. “I promise.”

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