Aliah appears genuinely bewildered.
“Could… could she have lost it?”Daryl starts.“Like had something but lost it after arriving in Tucson?”
“Like her mind,” Roberta asks dryly, “because I feel like I’m about to lose mine.”
“That’s not a bad theory,” I counter.“Sabera’s agitated behavior, alleged drinking.There’s something going on with her.Let alone the repeated emphasis on a past filled with trauma, trauma, trauma.”
I shrug, not certain how to explain all the jumbled thoughts in my head.“There’s still some kind of X factor we’re missing.Athird party who remains invisible.A connection to the past that’s still hidden.Something real spooked Sabera three weeks ago.And now she’s both looking and hiding.She’s predator and prey.And both… both roles appear to be equally deadly.”
I’m on to something.I can feel it.But the what remains just out of my grasp.Predator and prey, though.I’m stuck on that notion, and the full implications of it make me shiver.
“Now that Isaad is dead,” Aliah asks hesitantly, “do you think Sabera will return?To keep her daughter safe?”
“I don’t think her reappearing helps Zahra,” I say honestly.“It’ll probably make them both a target.”
“Then we’ll have to do it.”Daryl rises to standing, expression set.
“Do what?”
“We’ll guard Zahra.”
“I can’t order protective custody without more evidence of a direct threat,” Detective Marc begins.
Aliah adds nervously, “I do not know that she will be safe here.”
“We got this.You’ll come with us, you and Zahra both.You’ll be secure at the estate.”
“Are we allowed to do that?”I ask in awe, because that would be perfect.Gated drive.State-of-the-art security system.Pet snakes.I certainly wouldn’t attack anyone there.
“It’s decided,” Daryl states.
Detective Marc appears too surprised, Aliah too overwhelmed, to argue.
Just in time for Zahra to appear, iPad clutched in her tiny hands.She takes in the adults in the room, then wordlessly hands over the device to Aliah.Apparently, her show is over.
“Hey, Zahra, want to go on an adventure?”Daryl asks her.
“It includes an iguana.Her name is Petunia, and her skin is surprisingly warm,” I tack on.
“I’m coming, too,” Aliah adds soothingly.
The girl studies us.I wait for her to ask about her mother or her father.But in the end, she nods once, then returns down the hall.
It makes me wonder how much she might have overheard.And fear for what this little girl might have to survive next.
CHAPTER 28
BY THE TIMEALIAH FINISHESpacking up supplies and we make the drive back to the hills, it’s past nine.Not having much experience with domestic life, I don’t know how well Genni—let alone Petunia—will take us missing dinner.But Daryl must’ve phoned ahead, because Genni is waiting at the front door, all beaming smiles and red gingham cuteness as she greets our new guests.Tonight’s fashion homage appears to be Mary Ann fromGilligan’s Island, including a dark-haired wig with red-ribboned pigtails.
Aliah blinks several times, then manages to recover.Zahra simply stares up at Genni in awe.
Genni scoops up Zahra’s pink backpack, slips it over her shoulder.“Hungry, hun?Of course you are.This hour is much too late for dinner, so I made you breakfast instead.What do you think, waffles with whipped cream and strawberries?Mmm-hmm, follow me, love.I got you covered.”
Genni holds out a red-manicured hand.Zahra takes it and they’re off, Genni’s heels rat-a-tat-tatting across the tiled floor.
“Did that just happen?”Aliah murmurs at last.
“Yes,” I assure her.
