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don’t worry. We’ll still be seeing each other. You’ll be coming back for outpatient visits, won’t you?”
    She nodded. “But it’s not only leaving here that worries me. I’m afraid.”
    “Of what?”
    “That the devil with the acid will come and find me.” Her voice trembled.
    Kyle reached out and covered her hand with his. “Have you heard anything more about the police investigation?” he asked.
    “No, not in weeks and weeks. The detective told me that they are still looking but need more to go on.”
    “They’ll find him,” said Kyle, with more conviction in his voice than he actually felt.
    Tears welled up in Esperanza’s eyes. “I think I could help the police,” she said.
    “What do you mean?”
    “I remember something from that day. Something I didn’t remember before.”
    “What?” asked Kyle. “What do you remember?”
    But Esperanza shook her head and kept silent.

Chapter 13
    A fter dinner Piper finished packing. She was excited to be getting away from the biting cold in the Northeast. A visit to the Internet had informed her that January was the coldest month of the year in Los Angeles, with temperatures in the sixties during the day and the forties and fifties at night. What a perfect climate!
    Along with black pants, jeans, leggings, tops, yoga clothes, two dresses, a cotton sweater, a bathing suit, and a crushable straw hat, Piper placed a securely wrapped package in the suitcase. The parcel contained tracing paper and the piping tips, pastry bags, flower nails, and other tools she would need to fashion blossoms, stars, leaves, hearts, or whatever else ended up decorating the wedding cake.
    As she was selecting the toiletries she wanted to take with her, there was a knock at her bedroom door.
    “Come in,” she called.
    Terri walked into the room with her arm outstretched. “Here,” she said, holding out two index cards. “This is my recipe for cream-cheese icing. In my opinion that’s the best frosting for pumpkin cake. And the other is the recipe for the pumpkin cake we make at the bakery, just in case you need it.”
    “Thanks, Mom. I appreciate that.”
    Piper looked at the cards. She was well aware of the years and effort her mother had put into perfecting every recipe. Terri Donovan’s hard work had made The Icing on the Cupcake a resounding success. Piper was the beneficiary, her mother eagerly and generously passing on her priceless expertise.
    “You know, Mom, we should really put together all your recipes and make a cookbook or something.”
    “Maybe one of these days,” said Terri as she sat on the edge of the bed.
    “I know what that means,” said Piper. “That means you have no intention of doing it.”
    Terri smiled. “Probably not.” She cocked her head and squinted as she perused the open suitcase. “Got everything you need?”
    “I think so,” answered Piper. “If I’ve forgotten anything, I can buy it out there.”
    “Just be careful, will you?” Terri took hold of her daughter’s arm.
    “I will,” said Piper, picking up Terri’s hand and kissing it. “I know you and Dad aren’t crazy about the idea of my doing this. But I’m sure it’s going to be fine. You guys just worry about me way too much. Especially Dad.”
    “We love you, Piper, and we don’t want anything to happen to you. As for your father, he’s seen a lot, and he knows that real evil exists in the world. He wants you to be prepared. In fact, he’s in the basement right now, putting together a special kit for you to take with you.”
    “Figures,” said Piper, shaking her head.
    Mother and daughter looked at each other and smiled.
    B efore going to bed, Piper went down to see her father. Vin was sitting at his workbench with his back to her. She came up behind him, leaned around, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
    “The car service is coming really early to take me to the airport, Dad. I want to say good-bye now.”
    Vin looked into her eyes. “You’re sure you