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suspects?”
    An uncomfortable silence descended, and his three companions shared a look. Of course. Austin gave a sad laugh. “Sure. I’m the primary one, right? Estranged husband going through a bitter divorce, custody-rights battle, doesn’t get along well with the soon-to-be ex. How am I doing so far?”
    Danny sighed. “You’re a person of interest, not a suspect. Nobody believes you did it, but every angle has to be studied, to count you out if nothing else.”
    He knew that. But it still hurt.
    â€œThere must be more. What am I missing?”
    â€œYou don’t want to hear about the details right now,” Chris said. “Let it rest for tonight.”
    â€œYou may as well tell me. I’m going to find out one way or another.”
    At his insistence, Chris relented. “The murder weapon was a man’s belt. It’s the same size as two other ones still in your closet over there.”
    The reality of that slid over him with cold horror. Ashley had been strangled, with an object that likely belonged to him. Someone really was out to destroy Austin’s life.
    So far, the bastard had done a good job.
    â€œI think I’m going to lie back down,” he told them, standing. Any second, he was going to be sick.
    â€œThere’s a sleeping pill on the nightstand, next to a bottle of water,” Tonio said. “In case you need it.”
    â€œJust one?”
    â€œYeah. Just one.” Tonio’s meaningful gaze told him that was all he was getting, too. They were watching him like a hawk, and self-destruction was not on the agenda.
    Returning to his room, Austin shut them all out. Then he swallowed the pill and crawled under the covers. He waited a long time for the medication to take effect before he finally got sleepy.
    But nothing would really help. Never again.
    â€¢Â Â Â â€¢Â Â Â â€¢
    There wasn’t a dry eye in the packed church—except Austin’s.
    He couldn’t cry. Couldn’t rage, eat, sleep, or function outside one single purpose. His sole focus had been on getting through five days of hell to plan the funeral for his wife and son. Glenn, Danny, Austin’s men, the other officers, and his own parents had been solid rocks of support, and he was grateful.
    But beyond today? Nothing. Tomorrow? More of nothing.
    Ashley’s parents wouldn’t sit with him. Wouldn’t even look at him. After the graveside service, he made the mistake of approaching her mother.
    â€œBarbara, I’m so sorry—”
    A resounding crack exploded against his cheek as the older woman slapped him with more force than he’d ever dreamed she was capable of. Stunned, he put his hand to the blazing flesh and stared at the woman he’d believed to be a second mother.
    â€œIf you’d been the husband she needed, if you hadn’t left them, this never would’ve happened!”
    And there it was. The blame. The guilt.
    He couldn’t even refute her. Hadn’t the same accusation been forming in the back of his own mind, unspoken?
    â€œI was going to do right by her and the baby, I swear,” he whispered. “We just couldn’t stay married.”
    â€œThe only words I ever want to hear out of your mouth in the future are that you’ve caught the monsterwho murdered my daughter and my grandson,” Barbara spat. “Then I never want to speak to you again.”
    She walked away, his former father-in-law holding her up. He knew he’d never see either of them again.
    A hand on his back startled him, and he turned to find himself wrapped in his own mother’s embrace. For a few moments he lost himself in her familiar scent. The softness of her arms. Then his dad was there, too, and he thought maybe he could survive this.
Maybe
.
    And he kept thinking that—until it was time for everyone to go home.
    His parents wanted to stay, but he had gently sent them on their way, insisting he