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Morgan wandered into the living roolass cases full of thimbles and spoons Several chests of drawers held more of the same “Spoons and thimbles?”

“They’re small and nonflammable,” Lance said His mother had needed to keep some of her treasures

“Lance, is that you? I’m in the office” Hisof the house

A doorway opened into the kitchen, while a short hallway led to the three bedrooms

Morgan detoured to the kitchen with the pie while Lance headed for the hall and the extra bedroom that had been converted into an office when hisfrom home

His mom sat behind the desk, hunched over a keyboard On one side of her L-shaped desk, a computer was equipped with three ed beside the laptop Another bathed itself in a patch of sun that streamed into the room and puddled on the floor behind the desk

His mom smiled as he entered the room, leaned over her desk, and kissed her on the cheek

On the outside, his mother looked ordinary Her painfully slender frame, white hair she didn’t bother to color, and deep lines in her face aged her beyond her sixty years The one highlight of her OCD was that she was routine dependent, and her therapist had designed daily hygiene rituals with her illness inpast her seven a her clothes at exactly nine o’clock every ether older woeants would envy

But the ever-present bright sheen of apprehension that clouded her pale blue eyes gave her away No a her back to the woman she’d once been

In the blink of an eye, his nation to fear “Who is that in the hallway?”

Looking lawyerly—and gorgeous—in her navy-blue suit, white blouse, and heels, Morgan stepped into the doorway She iant purse in the kitchen

Lance gestured for her to coan Dane”

“It’s nice to er”

He braced hian for a fullIn hisantianxietyhappened

His mother smiled

Rising, she caan “Please, you must call me Jennifer”

What the hell?

When was the last tier?

“Let an toward the kitchen The pair of cats weaved precariously around their ankles

Feeling like he was having an out-of-body experience, Lance followed His ray sheet vinyl since the house had been built He couldn’t remember the last time someone other than he, his mom, or Sharp had sat at it Even the social worker who visited once a month usually set off an anxiety attack

But hiscoffee as if she entertained on a daily basis She pointed to a high cabinet “Lance, get some plates down”

“OK” He did as she asked, his euarded relief

“Can I help?” Morgan asked

His uest”

Lance spent the next twenty minutes in an utter state of confusion as they ate pie and drank coffee like normal people His mother finished an entire slice, thein years, and she wore the first genuine s time

Who was this woman, and what had she done with his mother?

“Mom, we need to ask you for a favor” Lance collected their dirty plates and put them into the dishwasher His , whether it was empty or full

“What is it?” his mom asked

“Morgan is a defense attorney Sharp and I are assisting with her investigation We’re shorthanded, and we could use soround checks”

“You want me to help you?” She perked up even more

“Yes,” he said

“Of course I will” She rose, a flustered hand going to her throat as she scurried back to her office