8
Julia couldn’t sleep, even though she was exhausted.
She felt haunted by the scream in Kay’s garden.
She tossed and turned, but her mind echoed with the shriek.
The motel was no-frills, the pillow thin and the mattress hard.
The room was dark because she’d drawn the curtains with their plastic wand, effectively blocking out the lights from the parking lot.
The air was dry and warm, and the only sound was the thrumming of the in-room heater, which she’d put on low.
Julia reached for her phone, wondered what time it was, and the screen came to life with an adorable picture of her daughter.
Leni’s round, dark eyes danced with animation, and she looked positively impish with her upturned nose and Cupid’s-bow lips like Gianluca’s.
Thick, dark curls framed her round face, with short bangs that Julia cut herself, not very well.
Julia realized it was a good time to call Gianluca, who’d be driving to work, so she pressed his number, and he picked up on one ring. “Honey?”
“Cara,” Gianluca purred, which still made Julia’s heart skip a beat. She loved when he spoke Italian, especially in bed.
“Hey, how are you guys doing? Better, I hope?”
“Why are you up? It must be the middle of the night there.”
“Jet lag.” Julia noticed that he hadn’t answered her question. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing big, don’t worry, I have it in hand.”
“Is it Leni?”
“Yes, she had a rough night. She didn’t sleep.” Gianluca hesitated. “She said she was afraid. I read to her, and she finally fell asleep, but she wet the bed.”
“Really?” Julia felt a wave of guilt. Leni was completely potty-trained.
“My mother says not to worry, it’s normal. She’ll nap today.”
“How was she at breakfast?”
“Cranky, and she didn’t eat. My mother will try again later.”
“This isn’t like her. Do you think I should talk to her? I could call your mom.”
“No, don’t. If you can’t get her on FaceTime, it’ll upset her again. My mother’s going to take her out today. Octavia down the road has a new calf, so that will be fun to see.”
Julia mulled it over. “I don’t understand what she’s afraid of.”
“I think I do, but I’m not sure.” Gianluca hesitated. “I think she overheard my parents talking after dinner. They were in the dining room, and she was lying on the couch in the living room. They were saying they were worried about you.”
Julia groaned, inwardly. “Why would they be worried about me?”
“You know, for the same reason I was. You getting involved with a murder, like before. They know it can be dangerous.”
Julia’s heart sank. “Now Leni thinks I’m in danger?”
“There’s still a chance that she didn’t overhear them. They’re not sure.”
“She must have. Why else would she be afraid for me? It’s one thing to miss me, but it’s another thing to be afraid.”
“My mother’s going to talk to her today and ask if she overheard.”
Arg. “Really? I wish she wouldn’t. Talking more just makes it bigger, and I’m the one who should be talking to her. Can’t we let it be, for now?”
“Okay, I’ll call my mother. I’m sorry I wasn’t more careful.” Gianluca sounded genuinely regretful. “How are you?”
“Fine,” Julia lied. She wasn’t about to tell him the truth, especially now.
“And Courtney?”
“She’s hanging in.” Julia hated lying to him. She wanted to hang up. “You must be at work by now.”
“Yes, I’m parked.”
“So you should go.”
“Yes, I love you, Julia.”
“I love you, too. Goodbye.” Julia pressed End, upset. She hated to think Leni was worrying about her. It wasn’t a burden a young child should bear. She could only hope she’d be home soon.
She closed her eyes, holding her phone like a security blanket. The scream in the garden reverberated in her ears. She couldn’t explain what was going on, and she was starting to worry that Kay was trying to contact her. Julia wanted to help Courtney, and it was the only way to get back home.
Julia realized she could use some advice, and she knew an expert.
She scrolled through her contacts for the phone number.