on social media. Still, the cosmetics website has a page about how the company started. There was an email address on it that’s supposedly hers. I suspect someone screens it, but I figured whoever checks the account would be more likely to pass along the message if I were honest.” I explained what I’d written, pausing every now and then for a bite, and ended with, “While I mentioned my mother’s name and called myself Caroline at the beginning of the email, I never used the name Blakely.”
I glanced up at him, hesitating. “I don’t think Tiffany would tell my father I contacted her…but what about the screener? How do we know they won’t go to him for the reward?”
“Did you give her your location or the name you’re using now? How did you tell her to contact you?”
“I told her to email me. I didn’t tell her where I’m hiding, but I did sign it Carly. I figured it was another way to prove I’m not an imposter, since my mother was the only one who called me by that name.” The sandwich in my stomach churned. “I think I screwed up.”
“No,” Marco said reassuringly as he wrapped an arm around my back and pulled me close. “Do you have any idea how many Carlys there are?”
“No.”
“Neither do I,” he said in a teasing tone, “but there must be enough that looking for you that way would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. You’re fine.”
I sucked in a breath. “Oh, God. I didn’t use my VPN.”
He was silent for a moment. “It’s okay. You trust her, right? Otherwise you wouldn’t have reached out to her.”
“Yeah.” But I still hadn’t totally convinced myself I hadn’t screwed up. I definitely hadn’t been as careful as I should have been.
“It’s done, Care. No use worrying about it now.”
“But what if he finds out? What if he’s coming for me?”
“What’s he going to do? If he shows up, you just send him on his way. You’re a grown woman and can make your own decisions. It’s not like you’re a runaway teen.”
“He’s not going to show up here,” I scoffed. “He never does his own dirty work. Besides, he no longer needs me alive. If he finds out where I am, he’ll send someone to kill me.” I set the rest of my sandwich down, no longer the slightest bit hungry.
“You’re safe at Max’s,” Marco said, his voice tight. “But I wish you were at Hank’s when I’m working. I don’t like the idea of you being alone.”
“So you think I did screw up?” My voice cracked.
“No. I’m just trying to be proactive. The chances of your father finding you because of an email are slim to none. If Tiffany was as close to your mother as you remember, she’s going to protect you. I can only imagine what she’d do to an assistant who betrayed her—and you—like that. You’re safe.”
“I hope she answers.”
“Me too. But if it doesn’t get past screening, I can do some digging and try to find out where she lives. Or we can show up at her business. I can flash my badge and say we need to speak to her about a case.”
I shook my head. “But it wouldn’t be about a Hensen County case.”
“It doesn’t matter, Carly.”
I nodded, but I couldn’t help thinking it would bother him to bend the rules for me again.
He tugged me closer. “You’re safe. Max and Tiny will protect you at the tavern, and I’m having a security system installed in my house next week.”
“Marco,” I protested.
“I needed one anyway, but the break-in got me moving. And now, I really want one to make sure you’re safe.”
“The expense . . .”
“Isn’t all that much, and the company doin’ it is gettin’ me satellite internet so the system can contact the authorities if there’s a break-in. Just think. No more having to work at the library. We’ll be able to access the internet anytime we want.” He squeezed my hip. “Now eat your lunch and I’ll tell you what I found.”
I picked up my sandwich and took a bite.
He gave me a grin, his eyes dancing, pleased that I’d done as he said. I rolled my eyes.
“Okay,” he started. “I found out an interesting tidbit on Georgia Carpenter’s husband, Joe.” He paused. “He used to work for Hank.”
I blinked at him. “What?”
“He had a minor possession charge that was dropped about fifteen years ago, but his file noted that