and Jocelyn Taylor. And the first thing we’re doing is rebuilding the house on Hawthorne Street. I’ve already talked to the owner, we’re going to arrange a financially beneficial agreement for her, and I’ll rebuild. It’ll be a place for young women in transition. Cathy said the hardest age group to work with are eighteen to twenty-five-most programs are for minors.”
“Why?” Ivy said. “Why do you want to help?” She sounded not only skeptical, but threatened. As if he were going to start making demands.
“Because I can. I’ve given a lot of money to MARC and similar groups over the years, and I think this cause is worthwhile.”
He looked at Lucy, expecting her to vouch for him.
And on this, she could. Because even though she had some deep-seated problems with the senator, he did want to help others. He needed to help others. Maybe as penance for crimes he’d never admitted to.
She said, “I think it’s a good thing. Is MARC running the house?”
“Yes, they’re already set up, why create additional bureaucracy?”
“Thank you, Jonathon,” Lucy said.
He smiled and took her hand. “It’s always good to see you, Lucy. Please, don’t be a stranger.”
He turned to Ivy, shook her hand, then walked off.
“I have a hard time trusting people who give without wanting something in return,” Ivy said.
“He’s not doing this for you,” Lucy muttered.
“What?”
She shook her head. “The senator is running from his own demons, I think. Philanthropy makes him feel better about himself.”
Ivy said,
“Appropriate,” Lucy said.
“I don’t even believe anymore.”
“It’s okay,” Lucy said. “I have a hard time when bad things happen to kids like Sara. But then I remember that the doctors never thought Patrick would wake from his coma.”
They went up to Genie’s room, which was filled with her family, including her grandson Isaiah. Genie seemed pleased to see Lucy, and relieved that the case was resolved.
“They’re making me take two weeks off,” Genie grumbled.
“I’ll come visit.”
“You’d better.”
Lucy stepped aside so Ivy could talk to Genie. At first, Ivy didn’t say anything. She looked around at the roomful of people, then stared at her feet, nervous.
Genie reached out and grabbed her hand. “Glad to finally meet you,” she said to Ivy.
“I’m sorry,” Ivy mumbled.
“About what? Protecting your family? You got nothing to apologize for, girl. I think
“Thank you for everything you did for my friends. Lucy said you’re a great cop, and you cared about them, even when they were dead.”
“Stop,” Genie said, her eyes tearing. “Someone has to speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves. I’m no saint.”
“You are to me,” Lucy said.
Sean was playing games with Sara on her iPad, while putting together the truth behind Senator Paxton’s lies.
From the beginning he’d been the one playing with Sara’s life. All the tidbits Sean had picked up from Lucy’s investigation and from the senator himself found their proper places.
Sergio had kidnapped Sara and brought her to Ivy. He’d been the one who’d bought the virtual phone number so Ivy could reach him. Yet he’d allowed Paxton to play the game with Crowley, to release the photographs to the media that started this entire chain of events spiraling out of control.
That Sara was away from the bastard who’d raised her, and Ivy would probably get off with probation, were a small silver lining in a sea of blood-the blood of six people who’d been killed to cover up the crimes of Devon Sullivan and her cohorts.
Paxton was a danger not only to Sean but to others. He played the role of master chessman, sacrificing pawns and others in his quest to win whatever endgame he had in mind.
And it incensed Sean that he was getting away with it.
Not forever. He’d threatened Sean, but more egregious, he’d threatened Lucy. Sean didn’t care how long it took, but he would destroy Jonathon Paxton.
The door opened and Noah stepped in. He looked worried. “Kate said Lucy was here with Ivy.”
“They went to visit Detective Reid,” Sean said.
“What’s wrong?” Sara asked. She sat up. “Did something happen?”
“No,” Noah said. “Everything’s fine. You sit tight, I’m going to talk to Sean for a minute outside.”
She didn’t believe him, and neither did Sean. He followed Noah out.
“What?” he demanded.
“We thought Abernathy took a train to New York, but when it arrived at the station, he wasn’t on it. It’s just a precaution, but we should let Lucy know-”
Sean didn’t let him finish. “Reid’s room is across the courtyard,” he said as he bolted for the staircase.
Lucy and Ivy left Genie a few minutes later and went back across the courtyard to the pediatric wing.
They were just passing the fountain in the middle of the garden when the hair rose on the back of Lucy’s neck and she felt eyes on her.
“Ivy!” she said sharply, pulling her to her side. They were being watched.
A man in a hoodie walked briskly toward them. Lucy saw a flash of metal up his left sleeve.
“Brian,” Lucy said.
He stopped, whether startled because she knew his name or because she’d spotted him.
“Stay behind me,” Lucy told Ivy.
“I just want her,” Brian said. His voice was garbled and he sounded sick.
“No you don’t,” Lucy said. “You don’t want to kill anyone.”
“Get out of the way.”
He stepped toward her.
“Ivy, run,” Lucy said.
She didn’t, but took two steps away. “Stop!” Brian commanded and showed the knife. “I will kill your friend, Poison Ivy.”
“You won’t,” Lucy said. Her mind ran through Psycho 101, as her favorite professor called it. Then she remembered Brian wasn’t a psychopath. He had no remorse, but he got no pleasure from murder. It was a means to an end.
“I just want to leave,” Brian said. “I hate this city. These people. I never wanted to come back. She made me.”
Lucy took a gamble.
“Your mother.”
“To keep Ned out of trouble.” He barked out a laugh. “Ned! Dumb-ass brother of mine. And she thought he walked on water.”
“I’m sorry about your brother.”
“Yeah. Well.” He sniffed. “I loved him, you know? Really. He was so stupid sometimes, but we were buds.”
He was grieving, she realized. And he probably had never felt real grief before.
“My nephew was killed,” Lucy said, working on building a rapport. She didn’t dare look, but she sensed
