“Wh-where did you come from?”
“The service entrance.”
She led Hena to a laundry room tucked behind the kitchen. Hena hadn’t noticed it before, but sure enough, there it was: A narrow white door opened onto a landing. A metal staircase across from it led to the ground.
“I had no idea there were two entrances,” Hena said.
“It’s a fire code thing,” Lucinda replied. “Lulu also prefers staff use the back entries so as not to jam up the elevators for our guests.”
She apologized again for giving Hena a scare.
“It’s okay,” Hena said, her pulse settling down.
“I’m glad to hear your mother is better.” Lucinda handedHena the flowers and gift. “It looks like someone was thinking of you.”
She headed out the back entrance, and Hena tried not to flinch at the way the stairs creaked with each step Lucinda took.
The same creak she’d heard the night of the storm.
Was it possible ithadn’tbeen in her head? And if so…
Stop.
Hena tried shaking it off. This was the exhaustion talking. That was all.
But.
The man who’d tried to kill her had never been caught. The police had insisted he’d likely died. Swallowed by the swamp behind her family home.
But likely was not definitely.
There was a chance he was still alive. There was a chance he knew she was back in town.
Maybe he was looking for her.
Maybe he had already found her.
Or maybe it really was the wind. Maybe I should calm down.This place had security, Hena reminded herself. Multiple cameras. So many people. She just needed to get through a few more days.
Hena set the flowers on the kitchen table—gorgeous pink peonies. She opened the note.
Thinking of you and your family—Reza
Her heart lifted as she unwrapped the gift: a KitKat bar.
Pulling out her phone, she texted him.
Hena:You know the way to my heart, don’t you?
Three bubbles appeared. Then—
Reza:There’s more KitKat bars where that came from
Hena:Thank you, Reza. This is so sweet and thoughtful.
Reza:The least I could do. And if you need a break, the boating trip is still on the table…
Hena’s smile lingered. Before she could reply, the phone lit up with an incoming call—Lulu.