Chapter 269

I didn't call Esther until I'd showered and burned my clothing. Okay, not really. Billie had promised to dispose of them. Being clean and Ethan-free, plus the sandwiches and shot of whiskey that she'd brought, helped dissipate my shell-shock a tiny bit, as did the chocolate chip cookies, warm from the oven. Not one or two either. Like a dozen of them. And she told Ro they were all for me.

"You look like you need the chocolate, lovely." She tucked an escaping strand of blonde hair back into her bun.

"You are the best human being in the history of the world." I was wedged into the corner of the couch in the bungalow living room with pillows stuffed around me and a bright knit blanket thrown over my legs.

She smiled at me, all grandmotherly. "I like this one, Rohan. She's a fine judge of character."