With the evidence and witness in the hands of the police, what options did Grace have left? Even if she could get away, there was no way she would drag Sofia into a life on the run.


    Grace''s eyes grew misty. "Don''t worry about anything else. If anyone asks you about Marie, just say you don''t know anything. Promise me, okay?"


    Sofia met her mother''s steady gaze, bit her lip, and nodded. "I promise."


    “Good girl.” Grace gently touched Sofia''s cheek, her fingers lingering. "Go on now, pack your things. I''ll have someone drive you to the airport."


    They hurried back to the Meyer family vi by Bridger Lake. Sofia threw her belongings together in a hurry while Grace handed her several credit cards.


    "Take these. When it''s safe, someone will contact you toe back."


    "Okay." Sofia took the cards, then paused before getting in the car. Tears filled her eyes as she looked at Grace. "Mom, what about you? What are you going to do?"


    Grace turned away, her voice rough. "Don''t worry about me. Just take care of yourself."


    As the car with Sofia pulled away, Bailey and Hank''s car rolled through the gates and stopped at the front door.


    "Grace, why is Sofia suddenly leaving the country? And why all the rush?" Hank asked, frowning at the sight of Grace standing alone, looking so lost.


    Grace managed a shaky smile. "Her professor called from overseas. There''s a project they want her on." She''d exined this on the drive back, but Hank still thought it was odd for a project to require such urgency. Vista Tech still needed someone to coordinate with ckOak, and even though Reese had agreed to help once she got the shares, without Sofia, they were left scrambling.


    Bailey didn''t look that far ahead. He just noticed how pale Grace looked. "What''s going on? You look terrible."


    Something clicked in Grace''s mind and she made up her mind. Tears welled up again as she spoke. “I... I saw Reese today while Sofia and I were out shopping."


    Hank scowled. He remembered Reese bringing up the car ident again and again, hinting that Grace was behind it. "Did she say something to you?"


    "What could she say?" Grace wiped her eyes. "That girl''s been through enough. I can''t me her. I just worry that her resentment might ruin Vista Tech''s deal with de."


    Bailey and Hank shared a look. Hank clenched his jaw. "So it''s her again. No wonder Sofia had to leave so fast. Dad, I don''t think she ever wanted us to get the de contract We handed over the shares and it stiff wasn''t enough. Now she''s forcing Sofia to leave! We can''t just sit back and do nothing."


    They''d already been talking about what to do if Reese refused to cooperate with Vista Tech.


    "You''re right. Looks like it was smart to have a backup n," Bailey said, nodding. "Call Reese. Ask her what she really wants. Does she still want the shares or not?"


    A hint of satisfaction flickered in Grace''s eyes. Even if the truth about Marie got out, she would never let Reese get away with everything.


    ***


    Reese and Matthew had just stepped out of the car when her phone rang. She saw Hank''s name and frowned, confused about why he was calling sote. She almost ignored it, but when the phone kept ringing, she sighed and answered. "Reese! Are you seriously going to keep pushing things this far?" Hank''s angry voice exploded through the speaker, making her ears ring.


    She pulled the phone away a little. "What did I do now?"


    "You actually have the nerve to ask?" Hank''s voice shook with anger. "You wanted Mom''s shares. We gave them to you. Was that not enough? Now you''ve forced Sofia to leave the country Are you ever going to let the past go and stop making things so hard for Grace and Sofia?"


    Sofia left? Realization shed in Reese''s eyes. Grace must have heard about Seth''s arrest and was already putting her escape n in motion she wondered what story


    Grace had spun this time to get Hank so riled up. The woman really knew how to y the victim,


    dragging Reese into it even now.


    "What does Sofia leaving have to do with me?" Reese said calmly, helping Matthew out of the car at the same time. "Do you have enything else? If not, I''m hanging up."


    On the drive home, Matthew had started running a low fever. Reese wanted to take him to the hospital, but he wouldn''t go.


    "Reese, I told you before, that car ident had nothing to do with Grace. Can you please stop stirring up trouble?" Hank sounded tired and angry. "If you really want Mom''s shares, drop this. Come by tomorrow, apologize to Grace, and tell Sofia toe home."