Page 98 of Mistletoe and Malice
But was Shane out of Warren’s?
Chapter Forty-One
Colton checked his watch. Again. Had to be the longest Monday on record.
John glanced at him from the driver’s seat of his unmarked car. “Got somewhere you need to be, Blankenship?”
“Just to the Everetts’ with you.”
“Am I driving too slow for you? Afraid we won’t make it there on time?”
Colton chuckled. “No. Sorry. A lot going on today. Hoping I might have time to go by the hospital later.”
John’s expression sobered. “Oh, right. Today’s the day. What time was the procedure?”
“Now, if they’re on time.”
“You talked to her, then. To know what time she was going in.”
He shook his head. “Nowell.”
In all honesty, he’d texted Riley’s new lead man several times since leaving the detail. Some things were harder to let go of than others. Said a lot about Nowell that he hadn’t yet put him in his place but kept him informed of anything new or noteworthy.
He was aware the moment Riley opened another package last Wednesday, when the creep called her on Friday. About the macabre box of long-stemmed white roses she received Saturday with theatrical blood spilled over them. Delivered right to the main gate of the estate by the creep himself, disguised yet again.
John had raced out to the house that afternoon to pick up the flowers as evidence, but Colton believed it best to stay behind and continue sifting through the case file. Last thing Riley needed was him there causing more drama for her.
“So, you haven’t spoken at all? Since Thursday’s visit with Everett? When, really, you hardly said two words to each other.”
Colton stared out his window. “No.”
John pulled off the freeway onto an exit in a well-established Houston suburb. “Avery and I saw her last night. Went over there for dinner to celebrate her procedure today. That’s what Riley called it. A celebration.”
“Sounds like Riley.”
“Yeah, but for a celebration, she didn’t say much. Ate even less. Seemed … sad almost. Not like the Riley I’ve come to know. Avery cried all the way home after we left. She’s really worried about her.”
Colton regarded him from the passenger seat. Nowell hadn’t said anything about Riley’s state of mind, only that she was glad they’d been able to expedite her tests so she could donate before the holiday to, hopefully, give the boy’s family renewed hope. “Is she all right? Riley, I mean?”
John shrugged as he drove through an intersection. “For someone scared out of her mind, I’d say she’s holding up fine. Still goes to the office, works with her charities. At this point, she’s only forgoing church, all the Christmas parties she’s been invited to, and shopping. Apparently, that’s a big thing the girls do together at Christmas, but they’re doing it without her this year.”
“She’s not getting out except to work?”
“Nope. She gave Frances the last of her Christmas shopping list last night. And you know Riley. Has it all typed out with exactly what gift, where to get it, how to have it monogrammed, if it should be. All that stuff.” He glanced over at Colton again. “You should call her. See how she’s doing.”
“I’m sure she’s fine. I gave her some names of psychologists. I just wish she’d call one.”
“Oh, she did. Met with her last week. Hopefully, it’ll help her deal with things.”
“Hmm.” Clearly, Nowell hadn’t told him everything. “I hope so. The girl needs to sleep.”
“She should get plenty today.”
“Yeah, but it would be nice if she didn’t need anesthesia to do it.”
“Good point. I guess we’ll all have to pray her through this. And pray we’re not chasing a dead end here.”
Colton had been praying. For Riley. For her safety, her state of mind … her heart. If he could fix it, he would. But time travel hadn’t been invented yet, so he’d have to leave it to the Lord to mend what he broke in a moment of weakness.
