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purse on the counter and tucked her dark hair behind her ears that she was bracing for the worst. Ever since they’d heard that the Cadillac had been found, they’d been expecting bad news. “What’s happening?” she asked. “Did the police turn up some piece of evidence or—”
    â€œNot that I’ve heard.”
    Her eyebrows knitted, creasing her forehead. “Then what?”
    He wished he didn’t have to burden her with the worries he faced. He was used to shouldering them on his own. In some ways, he preferred it. She wasn’t part of the incident that had defined so much of his life. But when he’d married her, he’d promised he wouldn’t shut her out. From anything, even this. “Madeline’s hired a private investigator.”
    She urged him into a kitchen chair where she began to massage his shoulders. “That might not be such a big deal,” she said. “This case is getting so old it’d be tough for anyone to crack. And there aren’t a lot of competent P.I.s out there.”
    Clay frowned. “This guy has quite a reputation.”
    â€œHow do you know?”
    â€œGrace did some checking. One of the attorneys she used to work with is from California and has used him in the past.”
    Her hands stilled. “So he has a background in criminal investigation?”
    â€œAccording to what Grace learned, he was originally a cop. He moved into the private sector when he realized he could find just about anything, and that there were folks who’d pay for his skills.”
    â€œGreat,” she said sarcastically. “So what’s his specialty? Next you’re going to say men who’ve been missing from small towns in Mississippi for twenty years.”
    Clay rolled his neck. “Actually, I think he’s traced more assets than people.”
    â€œSo why would he come here?”
    â€œHe seems to take on anything that interests him.”
    She started to massage again. “We’ll get through it,” she murmured.
    She said that about every challenge; her attitude made life easier. “I’m glad I found you,” he said, kissing her hand. The past didn’t intrude quite so much when Allie was around. But he knew it’d never go away entirely. That was one of the reasons he’d been so reluctant to get involved with her. It wasn’t fair to bring such a dark secret into a marriage, to burden a spouse with the fear of its discovery or the task of keeping it safe.
    â€œWe were meant for each other,” she said.
    He closed his eyes, enjoying her ministrations despite the anxiety humming through him.
    â€œWhat will you do?” she asked.
    He’d been considering that ever since he’d heard the news. “I’m not sure there’s anything I can do.”
    â€œYou could call Maddy, talk her out of it.”
    â€œThat might hold her off for a while, but her desire to know is too strong, especially since they found the Cadillac. She’d break down and hire him next month or the month after, even if I talk her out of doing it right now.”
    â€œI don’t think so,” Allie said. “She listens to you. You’re the big brother whose shoes no one else can fill.”
    If his stepsister knew the truth, she wouldn’t admirehim half as much. As a matter of fact, she’d never be able to forgive him. It was all so complicated. If Madeline ever learned what really happened, she’d lose more than her relationship with him, his mother, Grace, even their youngest sister, Molly, who lived in New York City.
    â€œShe sounds as if she’s finished with Kirk,” he mused, changing the subject.
    â€œAnd you’re disappointed.”
    He twisted to look up at her. “You’re not?”
    She gave him a wry smile. “I like Kirk, too. But we need to stay out of it. Madeline has to do what she thinks is best.”
    â€œHow do you know