The First Death (Columbia River, #4)(91)

It’s so good to have him home.

Malcolm had spent the last few days adapting to his new world. The first day he’d shaken and cried as he confessed to his role in burying the bodies of two women and a boy. It’d taken hours to assure him that he was not in trouble and that their murders were all on Eric. He’d been convinced he’d go straight to prison for being an accomplice.

He’d been brainwashed about several things.

It’d taken some clarification from Malcolm, but Rowan had figured out that Ken had worried she’d never forgive him after Jerry Chiavo had told him two weeks before his death that Malcolm was alive. All those years ago, Jerry had convinced him that Malcolm was dead. Rowan couldn’t imagine Ken’s thoughts when he’d realized that Malcolm had been kept by Jerry and then Eric for decades. He must have felt incredibly guilty knowing Rowan’s family had mourned him for so long.

If only Ken had gone to the police with what he knew about Jerry and Eric killing women before we were even kidnapped.

Malcolm would have lived a normal life.

She would have too.

No memories of torture for either of them.

Malcolm had been staying at her parents’, but Rowan had extended an offer to stay with her. She hoped he’d take her up on it in the near future. They’d already put things in motion to get him identification. It sounded as if he was a skilled electrician. She had no doubt they could figure out how to get him a real job in the field.

At first Rowan had enjoyed watching him have new experiences such as simply taking a walk down the street alone or sleeping in a big bed. Using a shower whenever he wished. Opening a cupboard and pulling out a box of crackers. But then she’d grown angry about all he’d missed, hating the men who had done this to Malcolm and her family.

Her brother had a long road ahead.

But lots of support.

“Malcolm’s going to do great,” Evan whispered to her. “Your family is fantastic.”

She looked him in the eye again, his face close to hers. “Thank you.” She lifted a hand to his cheek, running her fingers over the faint stubble. “I think you’re fantastic too.”

His eyes lit up. “You do?”

“Yes.” Evan was a good, trustworthy man, and she couldn’t wait to spend more time with him. Lots of time.

We waited a long time to get to this point.

“Ivy told me you might like me more than Thor,” he said with a knowing smile.

Rowan chuckled. “Ivy is deranged.”

“I told her it wasn’t true,” Evan said. “But then I told her I planned on changing that.”

She caught her breath at his serious gaze.

That might be easier than he realizes.

“How about we both work on it?”

His smile warmed her heart. “I’ve already started.”





ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Rowan Wolff first appeared in A Merciful Promise. She intrigued me, and I knew I’d write about her in depth one day. Her relationship with her dog was fascinating, and I wanted to know why she limped. Evan Bolton has been a fan favorite since he first appeared in the Mercy Kilpatrick series. Many readers asked me to write his book and help him move past his unrequited interest in Mercy. It felt very natural to have him and Rowan come together.

If you’re wondering when the next Mercy Kilpatrick book is coming, I plan for it to be one of the next two books I write. It was definitely to be next, but Detective Noelle Marshall is stuck in my brain, and I’m vacillating between writing her and writing Mercy. Either way, I love to have previous characters pop up in the middles of my stories, and according to my email, my readers love it too.

Montlake has always let me decide what I wish to write. It is an amazing publisher, and I’m thankful every day that it’s published all my work. Charlotte has been my dev editor for more than ten years; she is simply the best and keeps my stories on track. My acquisitions editor, Anh, gives me and my books amazing support. My agent, Meg, always wants to know what I need and then immediately makes it happen.

On to the next.