I shake my head. Okay, Megan, get your head back here. I will soon have Mark home, recreating new memories. Who knows what fun we can have? I continue to walk out of the hospital room following Annabella. Why does she want to speak to me?

“Yes, Annabella, what’s wrong?” I ask as I sit on the little bench just outside of Mark’s room.  I see worry in her eyes.  There is something she isn’t telling me.

“I need to tell you something, but don’t tell anyone, including Mark.” She pauses. “Promise me.” She looks down at the carry-out tray containing our drinks that is sitting on her knees.  The cups are decorated with a single yellow star and the word “Believe” written under it.  Is this some kind of message? 

“I’ll try,” I reply.  I can’t keep it from Mark if it is something that could help with the investigation.  She must understand that.  I would only tell him if I need to. 

“I got a letter the other day,” she blurts out, keeping her head tilted down towards her lap.

“Saying?”  I state the word as a question and place my hand on her arm.

“It had the words ‘I’ll destroy you all’ written on it,” she says, lifting her head up slightly to look at me. 

“Why didn’t you mention it?” I ask. I really don’t have any idea what to say to her.  She placed herself and everyone around her, including my daughter, in danger.  If she had said something, this might not have happened.  I know I shouldn’t blame her, but I don’t know what is happening, 

“I thought it was a joke,” she answers with a tear rolling down her cheek.

“Do you still have it?” I ask.  I hope she does, then maybe we can use it.  It might help. 

I need to remain calm.

She places her hand inside her bag, pulling out a torn cream envelope. “Here.”  I turn it over and notice the word “open” written in a deep shade of red lipstick.

“You do know I need to tell Connor, right?”

“Yes, but I don’t want to worry Mark.”  She doesn’t want to worry Mark, but does she think Connor won’t tell him?  Of course, he is going to worry.

“Don’t worry.”  I take a deep, cleansing breath while placing the letter into my jacket pocket.  I walk back to the door of the room and smile at Annabella before pushing it open and rejoining Mark and Connor.

“Is everything okay?” Mark asks, looking directly into my eyes.  I think he realizes something isn’t right.  He knows me too well.

“Yes, she is just worrying,” I say, looking down at him in the hospital bed.

“Tell me the truth,” he states, reaching out for my hand.

“What?” I exclaim, moving my hand away.

“I know you well enough to know when you’re lying,” Mark points out. I knew he would be able to see right through me.

“Oh, she had a letter dropped off the other day,” I say, pulling out the envelope and passing it to Connor. “Stop worrying, Mark. I told her you wouldn’t say anything to her about it.”

“I won’t.”

I sit on the side of the bed, holding Mark’s hand and listening to him tell Lucy stories until he falls asleep with her in the crook of his arm.  I hear a tap on the door, followed by Kim walking into the room.

“Miss, I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” she says quietly.

“Sure, what time can I return?” I ask.  I knew I would have to leave at some point; I know what these hospitals are like.

She politely hands me a printed copy of the visiting hours and days. “Different times, different days.”

“Thank you,” I say. I turn to face Mark and pick up Lucy. “I love you.” I place a little kiss on his forehead.

I leave him asleep and follow Connor out to his car. We find Annabella asleep in it.  I did wonder where she had gone.  Since Connor had spent the afternoon taking calls and walking in and out of the room, I thought he might have taken her to Mark’s house.

“We need to find out who did this, Connor,” I insist, leaning against his car.  It must be a new one because I have never seen him in a red car before today.  I have to admit; it’s very smart.

“I know. I will,” he replies, rubbing the outside of my arm.  “You’re cold.” I don’t care if I’m cold.  I care about everyone’s safety.

“No, we will.” I pause. “If they come back, my daughter is at risk, too.”

“We have a plan,” he counters, informing me of an extra security plan. Someone will keep an eye on Lucy at all times. “Mark thinks of Lucy as his daughter. Don’t forget that. He isn’t going to let anyone harm her. She is precious to you both.”

“Thank you. We best get these too sleepy heads home and fed,” I state, looking down at Lucy. “Oh, crap. I need some dog food, too.”

“How about takeout for tea?” Connor asks before informing me of a little street that has lots of different takeout restaurants on it and a supermarket for other items. It’s a place where we can get everything we need in one stop. How did I not know about this? 

“Thank God I have you. I don’t know this part of town.” I slide Lucy into her car seat that Connor has gotten for me out of Mark’s car.

“I know. Get in,” he says, opening the car door.

“What about my car?” I question.

“Scott will collect it later when he collects Mia. She is going to come and stay with you. She is upset.”

“Who is Scott?” Now this is a name I definitely haven’t heard before.

“He’s Mia’s security guard. Well, that’s his official title,” he says, shrugging his shoulders.

“So…he’s more than that,” I say, laughing. That doesn’t surprise me, though. Mia is at the age where she sleeps with several men.