Page 38 of Begin Again

I turn back to the screen, my mind working in overdrive. “We need to figure out what the FBI is looking for.”

Mo’s jaw tightens. “Agreed. If Gabe’s death is connected to this, then whoever did it isn’t just sitting idle. They’re watching. They’re waiting.”

“Unless,” Bennett says softly, “it wasn’t about Gabe at all. What if it was Aubrey? What if she’s behind all of this? Think about it—her husband of what, 25 years? Her brother. Her first husband…”

I feel my blood run cold.

No.

“Stop right there,” I say sharply.

Mo’s voice is steely. “There is no way Aubrey could have done this. She’s been through hell. Do you think she murdered Gabe, her brother-in-law, and her first husband? That doesn’t even make sense. Besides, we don’t even know how many other people have been murdered in the same way. The only reason you figured out that those were murders in the first place, was because you were looking into your family.”

I shake my head, the idea so absurd I can’t even entertain it. “She couldn’t hurt a fly,” I add, my tone final. “Whatever this is, it’s bigger than her. Don’t let your guilt twist things into false narratives. She took me in after my parents died, she did everything she could to keep the cafe open after my parent’s death. She kept the cafe going when everything felt like it was falling apart. Aubrey wouldn’t hurt anyone.”

Mo steps in, her voice softer now but just as resolute. “You don’t know her like we do, Bennett. Aubrey is a person who makes the whole town better just by being in it.”

She keeps talking, but my eyes meet Mo’s, and for a brief moment, we don’t need words.

He’s scared.

Yeah. And he’s reaching.

We shut this down now.

Mo gives the smallest nod, and just like that, we’re in sync.

Bennett notices.

“Okay,” he says, drawing out the word, eyes narrowing. “Are you two gonna clue me in, or are we just supposed to stand here and read each other’s minds?”

Mo smirks, but it’s brief. “You were reaching, and we were shutting it down.”

Bennett exhales, shaking his head. “Damn. Must be nice to have full-on telepathy.”

I shrug. “It’s a gift.”

Mo rolls her eyes, but the tension eases for just a second before reality crashes back in.

Bennett swallows hard, hesitating. “I just… I can’t ignore the coincidences. Three men connected to her, all gone.”

I step closer, my voice firm but not unkind. “Aubrey isn’t some mastermind pulling strings, Bennett. She’s the one who makes sure everyone else is okay, even when she’s barely holding it together herself.”

Mo nods. “We’ll figure this out together. But don’t go tearing down the one person who’s done nothing but hold this family—and this town—together. If we start doubting her, we’re already losing.”

Bennett’s voice is barely above a whisper. “I didn’t mean to… I just—”

“I know,” I say, cutting him off gently. “But right now, we focus on finding out who is responsible. Aubrey isn’t the villain here. She never was, and she never will be.”

“She isn’t the villain,” I say, my voice final. “But what if she isn’t the one behind it? What if she’s the target?”

Bennett hesitates.

I press on. “Three men, all tied to her, all dead under mysterious circumstances. What if someone didn’t want her to have a happy life? What if they were taking away everyone she ever loved?”

Mo nods. “It makes more sense than her being the one responsible. Someone could be punishing her—or making sure she never finds peace. If that’s true, then she could still be in danger.”

Bennett swallows hard, his throat working. “Shit.”

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