***“Aaron, I think we should cancel the dinner tonight,” Rachel said as she stepped out of the shower. Morning sunlight poured through the picture window in their bedroom. Dr. Hoades was shaving in his shorts.“Can’t do that, Rachel. Dole says we go about our lives just like normal. I go to the office. But you stay here, or if you go back to the house, you get help, or have Lib—”Dr. Hoades turned and strode across the bedroom, opened up the door to the living room and stepped inside, noting the opened door to the other bedroom. Her bedroom that had not been slept in.He stormed back into the bathroom. “She didn’t come back last night.”“No, of course not. She’s with him, like the letter said.”“The letter said she’d be back later,” Dr. Hoades answered.“The letter said she was with HIM and I think she’s safer there than over here with us, if you want the truth. Aaron,” she droppe

Tori was looking down at her shoes when Sean grabbed one of her hands and led her over towards Dr. Hoades at the bar. Two men in tuxedos were in a heated conversation. She recognized them as colleagues of her father’s. Sean was interested and nudged her to within earshot.“You can’t just take them out of the home without knowing where they’ll go. Foster care isn’t always the answer,” one man scoffed.“I don’t have time to interview all the potential homes. That’s not my job,” the other answered.“Maybe His Highness could donate some of his considerable salary to bankroll another part-time position. It’s the least he could do. He’s getting all the awards and plaques. That way he could earn them.”Tori saw the other man’s eyes grow wide as her father positioned himself behind the man who just spoke.“I gather I didn’t have your vote, then, Donald.” Dr. Hoades said to the back of the man’s head. Donald jump

The guests were leaving the grand ballroom. Sean noticed Dole as he filed out between Rachel and Tori. He gave the detective a nod but no smile. He knew part of the reason Dole was there was to watch him interact with the Hoades family.Everyone trying to play psychiatrist. Get inside my head. He saw the man disappear behind a potted plant and then reappear before they made it out on the driveway at valet parking.“Where’s Aaron?” Dole asked Rachel.“Oh, he’s back there talking to a friend. He’ll be along. Asked us to get the car.”Dole gave a brief nod of recognition and then spoke to Rachel again, ignoring Tori and Sean. “Might I have a word with the two of you ladies? No offense, Sean.”Of course I take fucking offense. He wondered what Dole was up to.“I’ll go get your father, “ Sean said to Tori as he kissed the top of her head and removed his arm from around her waist.H

Sean stopped by the McLaren and retrieved phoenix, who wasn’t used to riding in Duke’s truck, and he had to help the dog up and into the second seat. As planned, Sean stopped by the Hotel Del and picked up Tori, who needed some things at the house. Rachel had also given her a list of things to bring back for her and her dad.Tori was dressed in mid-calf capris and a stretchy peach top that showed off all the parts Sean liked the best. But he preferred to not have to feel or look through stretchy cotton and lace, even though it was enticing as hell. He was hoping somehow they’d be able to get lucky over at the house, but he didn’t want to push Tori into anything about which she felt uncomfortable.“Dad told me you guys really had bonded last night in the bar,” she ventured. “Must have been pretty important. Neither my mother nor I could get him to say two words about it.”Sean made a note that this was a good sign, and he trusted th

Detective Ryan Dole was on his way over to Detective Manson’s office, on recommendation of Sean’s liaison, Marshall. He was determined to check out Sean’s background. He knew the kid wasn’t the real suspect. But the case wasn’t going anywhere at the moment, and he had to be doing something. So, eliminating him as a person of interest was part of the job he could do. He wasn’t focusing on what he couldn’t do.His cell phone chirped. It wasn’t a number he recognized.“Dole.”“Detective Dole, this is Joe Manson of the downtown precinct. I’m afraid something’s come up, and I’m not going to be at the office.”“Sorry to hear that. Can I meet you later today?”“Um. Well, it’s kind of a personal thing. Not sure how long it’s gonna take.”“I got you.” Dole was disappointed. He’d wanted to get this done today. “Look, this isn’t really a big deal, Manson. What I’ve got to ask you will only take five o