hit the age of ten.
“No, Dad. If this concerns Wendy, it concerns me. I’m the reason she’s a nutcase.”
Dr. Pelletier spoke then. “You’re not the reason for anything, Mr. Steel. If it weren’t you, it would be something or someone else.”
“What’s wrong with her?” I asked.
“I haven’t made an official diagnosis yet,” he said, “but even if I had, I couldn’t tell you. Doctor-patient confidentiality.”
“Brad, I’ll ask again. Please give me a moment with the doctor.”
“No,” I said again.
“All right.” My father cleared his throat. “You may as well know how this is done. You’ll have to do it one day yourself. More than once, I’d bet. Doctor, I appreciate everything you’ve done so far. I’m willing to offer you a million dollars in cash to make sure Wendy Madigan stays drugged up and out of my son’s life for the next year. We’ll renegotiate at that time.”
My mouth dropped open.
My father offered a bribe. A big-ass bribe. I’d known he was no saint, but this…
Still, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. Wendy drugged out of her gourd was A-okay with me.
“Mr. Steel, I’m sorry. I can’t—”
Quicker than a flash, my father pulled a pistol from a hidden waist holster and pointed it at Dr. Pelletier’s head.
“What do you say now?”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Daphne
Walk away, Daphne. Just walk away.
Whatever was inside this envelope was no business of mine.
Or was it?
I was Brad’s fiancée, after all—the future mother of his child.
And Wendy was his ex.
My hands trembled as I picked up the envelope.
Crap. It was sealed.
Walk away, I told myself again. You shouldn’t be in here anyway.
No, a better way to ask about Wendy existed. Brad’s mother was here. She seemed to like me. I’d ask her.
I found Mazie in the family room. “Where’s my mom?” I asked.
“She said she wanted to read. She’s in her room.”
“Oh.”
“Is there something you need?”
I paused a moment. “Yes, actually.”
“What is it?”
“I want to know,” I said, “all about Brad and Wendy.”
Mazie’s smile dropped. “I’m sure I can’t tell you anything more than Brad can himself.”
“He’s only told me that they were high school sweethearts and were on-again, off-again until he met me.”
“That’s about the extent of it.”
“If they were together that long, surely you’ve met her.”
“Of course I have. Many times.”
“I’m just curious. What’s she like?”
“She’s very intelligent. Very personable.”
I cleared my throat. “I should tell you. She came to my dorm room a few weeks ago and told me Brad would break my heart. Basically told me I should stay away from him.”
“Clearly you gave her warning no credence.”
“No. Not after I talked to Brad. But all he told me was the same old thing—that they were over.”
“My son is trustworthy. You should believe him.”
I want to believe him, but I just found a thick manila envelope with her name on it in his bedroom.
I couldn’t say that though. I couldn’t admit to snooping.
“It just seems like they were together for a long time,” I said. “He and I have only been together for a couple months, and now we’re getting married and having a baby. So naturally, I’m curious about her and the effect she’s had on his life.”
“My son adores you, Daphne.”
“I’m not questioning that.”
“Then why dredge up the past? Wendy’s gone.”
“Is she, though?”
“Didn’t Brad tell you?”
“Yeah, he told me she wouldn’t bother us anymore.”
“She won’t. That facility is the best place for her.”
I widened my eyes. “Facility?”
“Oh, he didn’t tell you, then.”
“What kind of facility?”
“A mental health facility, dear. Wendy pulled a gun on one of Brad’s friends. I think you know him. Sean Murphy.”
“She what?” I gulped. Goosebumps erupted all over me. “Is Sean all right?”
“Yes, he’s fine.”
“Oh my God, that’s why he moved out of Brad’s place.”
“That’s right. Brad didn’t tell you any of this?”
“No. He said Sean had to move because he could no longer pay the rent.”
“Brad didn’t charge him rent. Well, just a nominal amount.”
Why didn’t Brad tell me any of this? Silly question. I knew why. He was afraid it might send me over the edge, now that he knew about my past.
“Where is Wendy?”
“The facility is in Grand Junction.”
“That’s close to here.”
“It is, because her parents live here in town. But you have nothing to be concerned about, Daphne. She’s locked away, and she’s getting the help she needs. She’ll no longer be a threat to anyone.”
“Maybe she should be in a prison cell.”
“I can’t disagree with you,” Mazie said. “I never liked her much. Something about her always seemed a little…off.”
A little off.
How