Page 61 of Richmond’s Legacy

“I, uh, sorry to have to intrude, Mr. Blackwell, Greer—Ms. Richmond—but I have some questions pertaining to what the fire department believes was a deliberately set fire. We call it arson…”

“We know what arson is,” Greer interjected impatiently. God, I loved it when she was salty like this.

“…on November the second at 110 Merman Drive and the body found inside.”

“What?” I asked. “What body?”

“Eugenia,” Greer said calmly. “She was there. I saw her.”

“Not Eugenia Meade,” Scott said, checking his notes. “I don’t think I should be telling you this yet…but dental records have confirmed the body was Anna Meade. Richmond. Anna Richmond. Sorry.” He winced in Greer’s direction.

“I don’t think that’s correct,” she finally said, fighting to keep her expression neutral. “It was Eugenia I saw at the front doors, Eugenia I saw turn around and walk back into the house. I don’t understand.”

I wished I could help her understand, but I was so lost.

“Detective…Scott, is it?” the mystery woman interjected. “I’m sure these two would be happy to answer any questions pertaining to the fire, but Mr. Blackwell gave everyone quite a scare and has only just regained consciousness after nearly a week.”

“It’s been a week?” My voice sounded rough, unused. It made sense.

“With all due respect, ma’am, I know how long it’s been,” Scott said. “I’ve been waiting here too. And who are you anyway?”

“I’m Dr. Penny Waters,” she said, the ‘doctor’ in her name shutting Scott up—at least temporarily. “Why don’t you compel these two to contact you for an interview the day after Mr. Blackwell is released.”

“Yeah,” Scott said, mollified. “Consider yourself compelled.”

Greer nodded, and with that, Scott stalked back out of the room.

“Thanks,” I said to the doctor. “Are you going to look me over now?”

“I’m not that kind of doctor.” Her smile was warm. “And I’m not here for you. I’m here for Greer.”

“Jace,” Greer said, her voice taking on a hesitant tone. “This is Penny Waters. I told you about her before, remember? After I almost fell? She’s a psychiatrist, but she’s a therapist too…my therapist.”

Dr. Waters nodded at her in approval. Even though I felt tired already, and I wanted everyone except Greer to leave and let me go back to sleep, I recognized the weight of this moment. I was damn proud of her. Proud of her for showing everyone what I knew and loved about her—that she’d overcome a hellish childhood. That she’d suffered but sought help. And that she was more than her disorder. Whatever the future held, she wasn’t going to go through it alone.

“Penny, this is Jace Blackwell.”

“Nice to meet you, Jace.”

“How long are you going to be in town, doctor?” She quirked an eyebrow. “It’s just…if Greer’s going to be talking to you, maybe I could too. I don’t want to crowd her if it’s just a you-and-her thing, but I want to talk to someone too. About…my life. And how I can support Greer.”

She smiled.

“I’m sure we can arrange something. For now, I think it’s important that you rest.”

“I’m Oren, by the way,” Oren piped up, crossing the room to shake the doctor’s delicate hand. “I’m…Greer’s…well, I’m the father. Greer’s father.”

“Yes,” Dr. Waters said, continuing the handshake as they looked each other over. “Greer mentioned that you’d recently shared that information with her.”

“Long overdue,” Oren answered, cheeks coloring. “But we’ve talked, and…we’re working on it.”

“The path to healing is sometimes long,” she answered, gracing Oren with her bright, white smile.

“But worth it,” he said, nervously slipping his hands into the perfectly pressed pockets of his Ralph Lauren khakis and rocking back on his heels. “Say…you never said how long you were going to be in town. I’d love to take you to dinner.”

“A few weeks at least—long enough to get our girl back on the right track.” She winked, and Greer laughed. I wanted to live in that sound. “And Jace too, of course, if he’s ready. I’d love a dinner companion.”

Everyone talked over me in riddles. I just wanted to sleep. I turned my head to Greer, and she immediately sensed my discomfort.

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