Page 14 of Secret Triplets for Christmas

“Gray, don’t be mean,” Miranda chastised her son.

“You need to say you’re sorry,” I told Georgie.

She made a face but turned to Grayson. “I’m sorry for hitting you.”

“Next time someone says something you don’t like, what are you going to do?” I asked.

“I’m not going to hit.”

“Good. Now finish your breakfast.”

When they finished, I helped Miranda herd the kids out the door to go to school. Once they were gone, I returned to the kitchen, ready to deal with the day.

"Here, sit down." My father gestured to the kitchen table where a mug of coffee waited for me.

I sat, taking a sip of the warm brew. Then I pulled out my phone and called work, letting them know I wouldn’t be in today. After that, I researched cleaning services that would help me clean up my home once the police gave me the all-clear to return.

“When will you be able to get into your house?” my father asked, concern etched on his face.

“I don’t know. Soon, I hope.”

He started to say something but was interrupted by my phone ringing. The caller ID showed it was Detective Riker, Liam's homicide investigator. It had been a while since I’d heard from him. It would be nice if his call was to tell me someone had been arrested for Liam’s murder, but I figured his call was related to my house break-in and the text.

"Hello?"

"Ms. McKinnon, I've just spoken to Detective Donovan regarding your break-in and the text message from yesterday. I'd like to discuss this further with you as part of my investigation into Liam's murder. Would you be able to come in later this afternoon?"

A flutter of nerves skittered along my spine as the reality that this could be related to Liam’s murder settled in. "Of course, Detective. I'll be there."

When we hung up, I sat for a moment. The feelings of fear and sadness from five years ago resurfaced.

“Hey.” My father took my hand and squeezed it. “What was that about?”

I’d minimized the situation last night but knew I couldn’t do so any longer. “That was the detective investigating Liam’s murder. He heard about the break-in and wants me to come talk to him.”

My father’s brow knitted. “I thought they said this was kids.”

I shrugged. “They did until I got a text from someone indicating they wanted something that Liam had of theirs.”

“What?” My father’s tone was filled with annoyance. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

“Denial, maybe. I didn’t want to worry you needlessly.”

“Jesus, Lindsay. I’m your father. I worry. That’s what I do.”

I laughed. “I know. I’m sorry.”

He pursed his lips at me. “It goes without saying that you can stay here with us for as long as you need.”

“Thank you.”

“I mean it. I don't want you returning home if this break-in has anything to do with Liam's murder."

I wasn’t sure I wanted to return home if that was the case either. I remembered all the sleepless nights following Liam’s murder where I worried the killer would return.

But I didn’t want to be a victim and let others dictate my life. "I hope the detective can help me figure out whether I'm in danger."

“Regardless of what they find, you should consider getting a better security system. And find out why yours failed.”

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