"Thats fine. Any idea how long it will take?" she asked.

"Several hours probably. If everything goes okay, I should be done between four and five, but of course, I cant promise anything."

"Of course, not. Is everything okay?"

"Hard to say until I get there. Theres a colicky horse at Blue Meadows farm. Its a thoroughbred farm that usually calls in a specialist vet from Saratoga, but hes on vacation this week."

"I bet youre just as good," she said with a smile.

He chuckled. "At this, yes. Colic is colic in horses. If it were an injury, that would be a different story. I just dont have the equipment or experience with racehorses that the specialists do, is all. But as for tonight, why dont I call you when Im done and maybe we can head to this little sushi place over the border in Massachusetts."

"Hmm, sounds good. And then maybe an early night here?"

"I think you read my mind."

"Not hard, Dr. Kent. You know, great minds and all," she said with a laugh. They said their good-byes and hung up. She had walked into the office when shed taken the call and now she stood looking at the computer that had been the center of most of her thoughts for the past hour or so.

"Matty," Mai called as the dogs erupted. "I think you have another visitor," she said, laughing at the obvious statement.

"I very rarely have any visitors and this will make three today already," Matty said, moving toward the door.

"Someone else was here?" Mai asked.

But before Matty had a chance to answer, Vivi climbed out of her car.

"Vivi, what a surprise, I thought you were in Boston," Matty said, coming out of the house.

Vivi bent down and gave each dog a little rub. "Just a fitting for me. Its been busy at the lab this week so I wanted to be back today to put in a full day tomorrow. Oh, hello," she said, as Mai stepped outside behind Matty.

Matty introduced Mai to Vivi and it turned out they knew of each other, Vivi being a part-time professor at the same university as Mais brother.

"I didnt realize you lived up here, Dr. DeMarco," Mai said.

"Please, call me Vivi, and it was only recently that I moved. Im getting married in October and my fiance lives here."

"My congratulations to you, then." Mai turned to Matty. "Ill leave you two be and perhaps we can set up that lunch? I promise you, youll love it."

Matty simply nodded, then glanced at Vivi who was watching her with an expression of curiosity.

"Her brother is a very handsome man, if I recall," Vivi said as Mais car turned out of the driveway. "I hadnt put two and two together when you mentioned his name the other day. Is that who you were having dinner with the other night?"

"Yes," Matty said. "Hes providing me some information and research material for my next book."

"I bet hed like to provide a bit more than that," Vivi suggested with a grin.

"Probably," Matty admitted, walking into the kitchen with Vivi following. "But thats not going to happen. It wasnt going to happen before Dash and its certainly not going to happen now."

"One man kind of woman, are you?"

"Honestly, what woman in her right mind would want more than one man at a time?" Matty said, making Vivi laugh. "But even if I werent a serial monogamist, Chen isnt my type. Hes very handsome and cultured and all that, but given my background, I prefer men who dont mind a little grit."

"Amen to that, sister," Vivi said with a smile.

"Ive been drinking iced tea all day so Im going to pour myself some lemonade, but I can get you either."

"Lemonade would be great," Vivi said, pulling up a stool at the island. When Matty joined her with the two glasses, they spent some time chitchatting about the wedding. Matty was intrigued by Vivis huge family, and though she learned that Vivi had lost both her parents and her brother just over a year ago, Matty couldnt help but feel a twinge of jealousy. If she ever had a wedding, it would be hard for her to fill a single pew, while Vivi, on the other hand, was going to have to pack people in just to fit her immediate family. But still, Matty couldnt help but be happy for Vivi, and even if she didnt really consider herself a girlie-girl, she loved hearing all about the dress.

And it took her mind off of Mr. Traynors visit and the unsettled feeling shed had since hed left.

"Sometimes I feel like I shouldnt feel so happy," Vivi said, her voice suddenly tinged with sadness. "Not just considering what happened with my parents and brother last year but also what happened just a few months ago," she added.

Vivis look told Matty that her friend was fishing to see how much she knew. Matty inclined her head. "I dont know much about the specifics of what happened, but a friend did mention that a killer had been caught up here, and Marcus and Carly said hed planned to come after you before you caught him," she responded. She didnt want to pry, but if Vivi wanted to talk about it, Matty wanted to leave that door open.

Vivi let out a long breath. "We did catch a killer. A man who we think killed at least twenty-one women. But he was also a family friend, almost like a cousin to me. Id known him my whole life. And he did it all because he was obsessed with me."

By the way Vivis eyes darted away and her lips drew into a thin line, Matty knew the woman was still struggling with these facts. Reaching across the table, she laid a hand on Vivis, "Im sorry you had to go through that and Im very sorry for all those women. But considering what you have been through, Im pretty sure your family is more than relieved to see that you are happy now, starting a new life with someone you love and who loves you. A lot of people would go running in the other direction or break under the weight of all that pain. Youre not doing either of those things, and I think you deserve everything you have right now."

A small smile touched Vivis mouth. "Thank you for saying that, and I know, intellectually, youre right. My parents and brother would have loved Ian, the way the rest of my family does, and they would have hated for me to let that slip away."

"They sound like they were wonderful people."

At that, Vivi did smile, even as she blinked back a few tears. "They were. They were great." She took a deep breath and reached into her bag. "But," she said, pulling out a piece of paper and sliding it to Matty, "Im not here about my family. Im here about yours. Here is the missing persons report; you can fill it out for Brad. Ill file it and then do some looking around up at the lab the next chance I get."

Matty took the sheet of paper and quickly reviewed the questions. She felt a fleeting sense of loss when she realized how few of them she could actually answer. She knew his hair and eye color, but other than that, she knew almost nothing-not his height or his car make and model, assuming he had one other than his truck, or when he was last seen. The sheet was practically empty when she slid it back across the counter to Vivi with an apology.

Vivi shook her head. "Dont apologize, Matty. Families come in all shapes and sizes. Some are close, others arent. Its just a fact of the world. And besides, I have enough here to get started." Vivi folded the paper, slid it back into her bag, then drummed her fingers on the counter.

"Yes?" Matty prompted.

Vivi bit her lip for a moment then asked, "You mentioned some pictures the other night, would you mind showing them to me?"

The mention of the pictures brought Matty up short; shed all but forgotten them in the events of the day. Which seemed ridiculous-since Brad had obviously gone to the effort of hiding them away for her, they must play a part in whatever was going on. She nodded and the two made their way upstairs to the guest room where she pulled down the journal, slid the pictures out, and handed the stack to Vivi.

Vivi flipped through them then turned them over one at a time, making note of the names written on the backs of two of the pictures. "These are definitely of Haiti," she said, holding up several of the pictures. "You were right about that. I was there. I was also in New Orleans and again, youre right about these being taken after Hurricane Katrina. But these?" She held up the two pictures, the locations of which Matty had also been unable to identify. "I have no idea where these were taken. Definitely not a disaster site, judging by the people in the background."

"I was thinking it might be some kind of sporting event, given the structures around the main subjects. But where or what event, I havent a clue. Maybe a racetrack, considering that Brad left a racing form for me, but . . ." Her voice trailed off.

Vivi held the pictures up again and examined them more closely. After a few minutes, she sighed, restacked them all, and handed them back to Matty. "I think you may be right, but without more detail, its hard to know where they are. The other two are disaster sites, so you would think the last group would be of the same, but there havent been any major incidences at a sporting event in years-certainly nothing on the scale of Haiti or Katrina."

Matty was musing over this point as she put the pictures away. Both women jumped when the dogs suddenly went berserk again.

"Another visitor?" Vivi asked, heading to the window. "But one I think youll like, this time," she added with a smile.

Matty joined her at the window and saw Dashs truck pulling up. "Yeah, I kind of like this one, though I liked your visit, too. It was just the first two that threw me."

"First two?" Vivi asked.

Matty hadnt meant to let it slip that someone else had been by before Mai, she had intended to keep Mr. Traynors visit quiet until she figured out what was going on with him and Brad. If she could figure out what was going on.

"Just an old friend of Brads that stopped by earlier," she said as she turned and headed out of the room, ignoring the look of curiosity on Vivis face. Thankfully, her friend followed, and soon both women were greeting Dash on the patio.

If Dash was surprised to see Vivi, he didnt show it. In fact, he acted like it was completely normal for Matty to have visitors, even though shed only been in town a little over a week. But within minutes, Vivi was in her car, driving away, and Dash was getting a proper hello.

"I thought you were on a call," Matty said, pulling away from the kiss.

"I was. Its an older horse, a brood mare that isnt expecting this year. I did all I could for her and now well just have to wait and see how she does through the night."

"As in, she could die?" she asked, leading Dash inside.

"Yes, unfortunately. Given the structure of the horses digestive system, they are more delicate than they look. She could pull through, though. But her case is severe enough that she might not ever make a full recovery."

"So that means no dinner tonight?" Matty asked, not altogether displeased. The day had been a strange one and the thought of spending a few hours exorcising the demons in bed with Dash didnt sound like a half-bad idea, even though she hadnt had a chance to eat since breakfast with all the visitors coming by.

"Actually, I should have a little bit of time. I think we could still hit that sushi place in Massachusetts I was telling you about. Its a bit of a drive, but the food is good and they can be quick once we get there."

She hadnt thought to find a sushi place this far away from a city, not to mention the water, but as soon as he mentioned it, her stomach growled, making him laugh.

"I guess thats a yes, then," he said, wrapping his arms around her.

"I guess it is." She rose up on her toes to place one more kiss on his lips. "Just give me five minutes to change."

True to her word, ten minutes later they were heading toward the state border for dinner. On the way they passed the spot where the body had fallen into her truck, which reminded her of Vivi and the missing persons report shed filled out earlier. Thinking of Brad, Mattys mind wandered to Alexander Traynor and the pictures. Shed had every intention of trying to go through the computer but just hadnt had the chance. She also wanted to look through Brads files again and maybe even have a look through some of the other rooms in the house she never went into, including the basement.

"Matty?" Dashs voice cut into her thoughts.

"Hmm?" she responded, turning from the road to look at him.

"Are you okay?"

She frowned. She was fine. She just wasnt sure Brad was, and not knowing was starting to worry her. But she didnt want to share this with Dash. She told herself she didnt want to say anything because she didnt want him to worry, and it was probably just her overactive imagination anyway. But even as she shook her head "no" and told him she was fine, a little niggling of something crept into her mind. The reason she was keeping everything close to the vest wasnt really to protect Dash from worry, it was just what shed always done-handled everything on her own because it was easier that way.

Dash didnt look like he believed her when she said she was fine, but whatever he might have been about to say was cut off by the sound of his phone ringing.

"Do you need to get that?" Matty asked after Dash glanced at the number then didnt answer. "Maybe its about that horse?"

He shook his head. "Its not about the horse. It was my mom. It is my mom," he added with a sigh when the phone rang again.

"Maybe its important," she pointed out. Dash gave her a look that clearly expressed his doubts about that but hit the answer button anyway.

"Hi, Mom," he said.

"Hi, honey. How are you?" a womans voice responded on the trucks speakerphone.

"Im fine. And you?"

"Were fine," she answered. "Your dad and I are just fine. Just leaving Stockbridge, as a matter of fact, and thought maybe youd want to meet for dinner. We havent seen you in a while," she added.

"Thanks for the invite, Mom, but Im headed to dinner at the sushi place in Great Barrington with a friend," he answered, casting a glance at Matty that she felt more than saw. Even though the conversation was happening over the speakerphone and filled the trucks cab, Matty was trying to give Dash the impression of privacy by keeping her eyes turned out her side window.

"Oh, that sounds great. Why dont we join you?"

Matty knew she should be more subtle, but her eyes shot to Dash. He gave her a sardonic look.

"Nice of you to offer, but were going to be quick. I may have to take a call, so I cant actually promise well even be there when you get there."

"Nonsense. Were ten minutes away. Well head there and grab a table. If you can come, come. If you get called away, just give us a call."

Dash cast Matty a look telling her hed lay down the law if she wanted him to. And part of her wanted him to. Not because she didnt want to meet his parents, but because shed been looking forward to a relatively quiet dinner. But another part of her really didnt mind if his parents joined them. She wasnt all that caught up in what it may or may not mean to meet them, so dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Kent felt more like it would be dinner with new acquaintances than potential family members. And so she looked at Dash and shrugged.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Its fine, really," she mouthed.

His eyes searched hers for just a moment before he refocused his attention on the road and answered his mother. "Fine, Mom. Thats sounds fine. We should be there in twenty minutes."

"Excellent. Drive safe and well see you soon."

Matty watched Dash press the "end call" button and then couldnt help but laugh. "I really dont mind either way, Dash," she said. "You look a little green around the gills. If you didnt want them to come, it was fine with me too."

He cleared his throat. "Its just that, well, Im pretty sure they know who you are," he said.

"Know who I am?" she repeated. And then she got it. She felt her eyes widen and her mouth form a little "o" before the word itself escaped her lips. "Oh, I see," she added. "And how might they know this?"

She saw Dashs Adams apple bob. "That first day I met you, I kind of panicked and called my sister. I have no doubt, judging by the tone of my mothers voice, that my sister mentioned something to her."

Matty mulled this over before letting out another little laugh. "I think its kind of cute you called your sister. Its sweet."

Dash scowled at her. "Its not sweet."

"Okay," she faux conceded.

"And so you know what this means, right?"

"Spell it out for me," she responded. Dash shot her a look that made it clear he was not as amused as she was. "Seriously, Dash, Im fine with this," she added.

He let out a breath. "Even when you know that when you meet her shell be looking at you as her future daughter-in-law?"

Matty lifted a shoulder. "That is a bit weird, but weve had this conversation before, Dash. Whatever we do or dont do is going to be decided by us, based on what we do or dont want to do. And given that weve known each other such a short time, Im not really focused on what your parents might think of me. As far as Im concerned, whats more important is what you and I think of each other, and that is something that can only develop over time."

Dashs eyes flicked up from the road to meet hers and in just that split second she knew he saw only her honesty and sincerity. With a sharp nod, he turned his attention back to the road.

"Now, do you want to tell me what was on your mind earlier, since we are no longer going to have a quiet dinner to ourselves?" he asked.

Matty stilled. She thought shed swept everything under the rug when hed first asked her. Apparently, it wasnt going to be that easy. And feeling a little caught out in her efforts to avoid the topic, she did what a lot of writers do very well, she made something up.

"It was just a busy day. I thought I would have plenty of time in the afternoon to write, so I took the morning off to work in the garden. But then Mai came by, and then Vivi, and then she and I got to talking, and next thing I knew, the afternoon was gone. Its not a big deal, but Ill have some catching up to do. I suppose I was just mentally rearranging my work schedule."

Matty didnt examine why shed held back from telling Dash the truth about everything; she didnt have the time or space to do so at the moment. But more to the point, she didnt have the inclination and suspected she wouldnt like what she discovered if she went down that path.