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Prologue

“Why do we have to go to daddy’s house?” Maddie asks from the back seat ofher dolly tightly against her and her face scrunched in a scowl

“Because it’s Thanksgiving,” I reply patiently “Your daddy wants to see you for the holiday”

“I don’t want to go,” Josie joins in,reen

“It’s only until Saturday,” I renore the pit in o either Their dad only sees them on holidays or their birthday, if he shows up at all Of course they don’t want to go stay with him

They don’t know him

As I pull up to Jeff’s so, three men hurry out his front door and jump into a dark SUV parked in the circular driveway Just before they pull off, one of the lances back at us

I cut the engine and frown as I watch the vehicle take off at a fast clip down the street My flags are red and flying all over the place in my head

I glance back at the girls “Stay here for a second while I go make sure your dad is ready for you, okay?”

They both just frown atall forlorn and sad, and I frown back at theuys You’ll have fun”

They just shrug as I step out of the car and walk up to his front door I glance over my shoulder, curious as in that SUV They could be co-workers of Jeff’s, but if that’s the case, I’irls with him

Jeff is an undercover cop, and the people he works with are unsavory to say the least

I knock on the door, but there is no answer, and the house is still I knock again and sigh deeply If he’s standing the girls up, again, I will kick his ass

When there is still no answer, I try the knob and frohen the door opens easily This is not Jeff’s usual MO He always locks the doors, even when he’s home

“Jeff?” I call out as I walk inside, but there is no answer and the s hot and metallic fills my nostrils

Iroo on the floor, his eyes wide open, unshot wound in his forehead

Oh dear God

My first thought is to run to him, to make sure he’s okay, but I wasn’t a cop’s wife for five years for nothing, and I have my babies in the car

I run back to the car, start the engine, throw it in gear and peel out of the driveway, heading in the opposite direction the SUV went in earlier

Jeff is dead!

“Mo to daddy’s house,” Maddie has turned in her seat, trying to see out the rear

“Sit down, Mads,” I order more harshly than I should, my eyes also pinned behind us

I have to call the police

“Where is daddy?” Josie asks, both girls are watchinghands and sharp voice are scaring them, so I do my best to look and sound calm

I’

“He had so come up ork,” I lie and check the rearview for the hundredth time

“Okay,” Maddie replies and hugs her dolly close

Shit, what a to do?

I pull into a gas station, grab irls can’t hear my conversation