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to the Pacific and the uselessness Thea felt, she tried to keep a brave face for the rest of them. She had taken Lucas for a while this afternoon, giving Grace a chance to rest. It was the only time she’d relaxed herself, watching the unknowing child play with a smile. When the phone rang, each time everyone would pause, waiting for the answer to their questions. None of them were what they wanted to hear.

    Michelle had gone home to get clothes and stopped at the office on her way back. She’d left instructions that Alistair had sent with her in regard to Lloyd and his position with the company. Saturday, when the wedding was cancelled and the situation came to light , she’d cancelled all Lloyd’s company credit cards, his telephone, and his car lease. His treasured Mercedes was probably being picked up this very afternoon. She’d made sure of it for Alistair. It was a small victory for them. Both she and Thea knew the vehicle meant more to Lloyd than anything else, except money. All his accounts had been frozen. The accountants had been scouring files since Saturday to make sure he hadn’t been funneling money where it shouldn’t have been.
    Keeping him at this apartment with the security team was a compromise. Michelle had wanted to see him in jail for all the harm he’d cause d both families, but they knew he might make bail. If he did and he jumped, they might never get a second chance at him.
    They’d come to the agreement of “house arrest” as a means to an end. With him safely locked away, he wouldn’t be able to make plans or contacts that they wouldn’t know about. It was the least Michelle could arrange for Alistair and his family. Having worked with Alistair for nine years, she’d become his trusted assistant. Just when they were beginning to notice each other, the plane had crashed. Nothing else had mattered at that time, and she understood. Now, in the back of her mind, she hoped once it was settled, maybe she and Al, as she only referred to him in private, could find their start. If it wasn’t meant to be, she could accept that, but she wanted her chance. She was genuinely fond of Alex and Thea. She’d known Dexter and Russell and had become fond of them too.
    She’d witnessed firsthand the grief they’d all experienced, and the love that kept them together through it all. As an only child, she longed to be a part of the family, to know the people around her loved and cared for her. While her childhood hadn’t been horrible, she’d been handed off to sitters and nannies often because her parents were both artists. Their lives revolved around their work and their passion for each other. Michelle always thought they should have gotten a pet instead of having a child. But that was behind her now , and Al was ahead. As she arrived back at the Wainwright house , she prayed this situation wouldn’t drag on much longer. It was taking its toll on everyone involved. Alistair was looking tired , and she didn’t want his health do decline. She also knew they all needed closure.

     
    At ten thirty Tuesday night, everyone was deciding what they would do. Grace was going to try and get some sleep, the Nordens would occupy their guest suite again, and Michelle had been given the guest room across from Alistair’s. Thea knew she’d head up to bed with the rest of them, if only to make them comfortable. Later, she’d slip down the back staircase and wander as she had done last night. In the quiet of the space, she felt secure. So when the telephone let out with its shrill ring, everyone again froze. Alex answered and listened. He didn’t say much, but ended the call quickly.
    “Thea, that was the rescue team.” He watched her intently for her reaction. Thea was afraid of what the caller might have told him , but she drew a breath and stood tall knowing her reaction would set the tone for everyone else. She reached to Marie, who took her hand.
    “Go on, Alex, just tell us.” Thea squared her