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Dion’s mother came over for dinner on Saturday night. She was an absolutely lovely woman. The kind I’d be lucky to have as a mother-in-law.

She was affable and sincere and overtly loving. It was easy to see where Dion had gotten his warm nature.

Where Treasure doubted our relationship, Dion’s mother, Evelyn, accepted it. She embraced me fervently the moment she met me, as though I was already family.

All that mattered to her was that Dion loved me, and that I loved him.

The cancer treatment had left her bald, but a short Afro had grown back. From her exuberant nature, you’d never know she had ever been ill.

After she left and I was loading the dishwasher, my
cell phone rang. I hurried to get it—and my heart began to pound when I saw Robert’s number.

I couldn’t avoid him. And I didn’t want to. We needed to resolve things immediately, where my business was concerned. With a heavy heart, I had shut the doors to the shop today and placed a sign in the window stating that the business would be temporarily closed.

Even though I wanted to talk to Robert, my stomach twisted as I answered my phone. “Hello?”

“Sorry to call you so late, Elsie, but we do need to talk.”

“Yes,” I said guardedly.

“Clear your schedule for tomorrow afternoon. It’s time we get on with this divorce.”

I was so stunned, I said nothing.

“There are details we need to hammer out. That’s why I’ve arranged to have a mediator come to the house tomorrow, to help us with that.”

Dion wandered into the kitchen. I met his gaze as I said, “A mediator?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. I’ll talk to my lawyer—”

“There’s no need. The first thing people have to do is use a mediator to help come to an agreement. It’s all set for tomorrow afternoon at one. I pulled a few strings to arrange it, so I hope you can make it.”

“I’ll be there. See you tomorrow.”

Dion’s eyes narrowed in question. “Who was that?” he asked, walking toward me.

From the expression on his face, I got the sense that he already knew. “Robert.”

“He wants you to meet him tomorrow?”

“Yes. He’s arranged for a mediator to go to his house so we can finally work on a separation agreement.”

Dion was silent a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. “At his house? I’ve never heard of a mediator going to a person’s house.”

“For a man like Robert, that’s the way he likes to get things done. He often had meetings with lawyers at home. There’s a huge office in the house, even a boardroom…. Robert’s the kind of guy who’s not going to want be seen going into the local courthouse to deal with a divorce issue.”

Dion nodded, but his expression remained wary.

“What?” I asked him.

“I guess I just don’t like the idea of you going over there.”

“Neither do I. But I had to close the doors to my shop today. Robert knows he’s got the power to keep me out of business, because everything I have is in his name. If I have no money, I won’t even be able to make next month’s car payment on my lease.”

“I’m not going to let you go without a car,” Dion said.

“I know that. But I can’t avoid Robert forever. And it sounds like maybe he’s finally turned the corner.” I stroked Dion’s face. “This is a good sign. He’s ready to proceed with our divorce. And as soon as I’m divorced…” I let my unfinished statement dangle between us.

“As soon as you’re divorced, what?”

“You might have something you want to ask me,” I said, grinning.

I turned back to the counter and lifted more plates to put in the dishwasher.

“You know, I can go with you,” Dion suggested.

“Right. Like that would go over well.”

“I could stay in the car.”

The plates now in the dishwasher, I turned and faced him again. “And if Robert got wind that I was there with my boyfriend, how do you think he’d react? I know we’re getting a divorce, but there’s no reason to rub salt in his wound.”

“Hey, it was worth a try.” Dion bent forward and kissed my lips. “How long do you think you’ll be?”

“I don’t know. Maybe a couple of hours. Hopefully less.”

“What time do you meet him?”

“One o’clock.”

“All right. It’s got to be done. Can’t escape that. But you call me as soon as you leave there, or if you’re there and things aren’t going the way you want them to.”

“You know I will.”

The first thing I noticed when I got to Robert’s house the next day was that there weren’t any cars in the driveway. Not Olga’s. And not one that should have belonged to a mediator.

But I went to the door nonetheless, figuring that the mediator hadn’t arrived yet.

Robert opened the door before I could even ring the
doorbell, meaning he had been watching for my arrival. His face lit up in a warm smile. “Hello, Elsie.”

“Hello, Robert.”

He opened the door wide. “Come in.”

I stepped into the house, noting the faint music playing and the smell of something cooking. Perhaps Olga’s car was in the garage.

“Is Olga here?” I asked.

“I gave her the rest of the day off. I wanted privacy.”

That was likely, given the circumstances, wasn’t it? And yet a chill of alarm went down my spine. There were many rooms in the house where we could have privacy.

“I see,” I told him.

“I’ve prepared lunch for us.”

“Lunch?”

“I hope you haven’t eaten.”

“I haven’t, but…when is the mediator coming?”

“Soon,” Robert replied. “Please, let’s go to the dining room.”

As I followed him, I knew the reason I’d felt a chill. I wasn’t thrilled about being here alone with Robert.

“Sit,” he told me, gesturing to the grand and ornate dining room table.

It was set for two. A bottle of wine was chilling in a silver ice bucket. Bavarian crystal tumblers and wine-glasses accompanied each setting.

“You cooked?” I asked in surprise.

“You know I enjoy preparing a good meal on occa
sion.” Robert pulled out a chair for me next to the head of the table. “Please. Sit.”

I sat. Robert poured me a glass of white wine. I lifted the glass, swirled the light-colored liquid around. I found myself studying its clarity.

And then I felt stupid. What did I think—that Robert had put something in the drink to knock me out or poison me?

I brought the glass to my lips and took a sip. “Very nice.”

“I know how much you love red, but with the meal, I figured white would be better. It’s Pomino. From Italy.”

I offered him a guarded smile. “It’s delicious.”

“You stay and enjoy the music. I’ll be fine getting everything together in the kitchen.”

Classical music was playing on the sound system. Mozart. I recognized the piano concerto. It was among Robert’s favorites.

He soon returned with a plate of food. It was salmon, lightly seasoned with butter and garlic, from the look and smell of it. Steamed broccoli and white rice were arranged artfully.

Robert set the plate on the table before me, went back to the kitchen and returned with his own meal. He sat beside me at the head of the table and lifted his fork and knife. “Bon appetit.”

“Aren’t you going to have some wine?” I asked, my pulse suddenly accelerating.

“Yes. Of course.” He started to move his chair backward.

“I’ll pour it for you,” I said. I stood and lifted the wine bottle from the bucket, then filled his glass.

I watched Robert carefully, that feeling of wariness once again sweeping over me. I continued to watch him as I sank back into my seat.

Robert raised his glass. “How about a toast?” he suggested. “To remaining friends.”

For a man who had been obsessed with the idea that I was leaving him for someone else, and who had tried to destroy my business, I couldn’t imagine why he would want to be friends with me. It wasn’t like he hadn’t done things I couldn’t forgive.

I suppose because I didn’t speak, didn’t even lift my glass, Robert decided to change his toast. “All right. How about toasting to leaving the bitterness behind us?”

I toyed with the stem of my glass for a moment before raising it. “I’ll drink to that.”

We both sipped the wine, and again I felt relief.

Pushing any worry from my mind, I lifted my cutlery and took a bite of fish.

Despite myself, I moaned a little when I tasted the exquisite flavor. I’d been too anxious to eat much breakfast, so I was hungry, and ate everything on my plate. I also finished my glass of wine, and even had another half glass.

I might as well be cordial, I decided. The more cordial, the more likely I would accomplish my goal for this visit.

Every so often, I glanced at my watch. Forty minutes and no mediator.

Robert led the conversation, talking about the changes within the company and how he might be ready to fully retire. He spoke about his son and daughter-in-law’s recent trip to Japan, where the company was opening a new division.

He finished off the meal with a piece of warm apple pie. “I confess, Olga made the pie.”

“Whoever made it, it’s delicious.” I had to admit to myself that this lunch with Robert had been quite amicable.

I glanced at my watch again. It was almost two. “Robert, when will the mediator be here?”

“Momentarily, I’m sure.” His gaze wandered to the large window. “It’s a lovely day. Remember that day you left, and I said it was a shame we didn’t enjoy our home more?”

“I remember.”

“I’ve been thinking a lot about that. It’s the reason I’m ready to retire. No more crises with companies in Germany. I’m ready to spend the rest of my days enjoying the fruits of my labor.” He held my gaze for a few seconds. “Maybe have a second chance at love.”

“Robert—”

“Shhh,” he said. “No more bitterness, remember?”

I nodded.

“You don’t hate me, do you?” he asked. “I gave you a good life, didn’t I?”

“No, Robert. I don’t hate you. And this was never about you not giving me a good life. You gave me a world I never imagined I would experience.”

Robert smiled. “Well, that’s good to hear.”

I finished off my apple pie, surprised at how much I’d eaten. I’d been famished.

I wiped the corners of my mouth with my napkin, then set it beside my plate. “Thank you for a lovely meal. I can help you clean up before—”

“How about you go out on the boat with me?”

The question caught me off guard. “The boat?”

“When was the last time we went out on the lake together?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“If this is going to be our last supper, if you will, then why not make it as pleasurable as possible?”

“But the mediat…” The words died on my lips. I got it.

“We don’t need a mediator,” Robert said softly. “Surely we can resolve everything without strangers telling us what to do.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “If you wanted me to come over for a meal, why didn’t you just say so?”

“Because you wouldn’t have come.” Robert smiled faintly. “Am I right?”

I didn’t speak. I wasn’t sure how to process this latest bit of news.

I thought of Spike’s premonition, that Robert might actually hurt me.

“Elsie,” Robert said softly.

I lifted my gaze. Looked at Robert.

“I know I haven’t been pleasant through our…our problems. I’m getting older, Elsie. I didn’t want to be alone. I wanted you to stay with me, but I see now that I went about it in the wrong way.”

Robert paused, and I suspected that he wanted me to say something. But I remained silent.

“I’m sorry,” he said, and held my eyes for several seconds. “I truly am. We started our marriage with so much hope. A great friendship. I didn’t want it to end this way.”

“Neither did I,” I agreed.

“I’ve accepted that our marriage is over,” Robert said, his voice heavy with resignation. “I know we can’t go back. But what I’d like more than anything is for us to remain friends.”

His words tugged at my heart. Robert had turned the corner. Finally, he was ready to move forward in a positive way.

“I’ll always be grateful for the life we shared,” I said. “I never wanted any bitterness. I’d like very much for us to remain friends.”

An expression of regret passed over Robert’s face. His smile was tinged with contrition. “Thank you, Elsie.”

I got teary eyed. This was what I’d wanted. An amicable end to my marriage. “Thank
you,
Robert. Thank you for agreeing to put the ugliness behind us.”

“You used to love the feel of the wind in your hair,” Robert said, his eyes lighting up. “Remember how we would go out on the lake and stay there hours, reading novels together?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

“And the way you would lie back and enjoy the feel of the sun on your face?”

“Yes.” I remembered it all.

“One last ride on the boat,” Robert said. “For old time’s sake.”

I found myself nodding. We would take a pleasant ride on the boat, a positive step in the direction of an amicable future. A future as friends with fond memories of our shared life.

“All right,” I said. “Let’s go for a ride.”

I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feel of the wind on my face as Robert maneuvered the Baja speedboat over the lake’s calm surface. There was something soothing about being out here on the water, almost as if the wind swept your problems off your shoulders and blew them away.

Robert was right. I’d missed this.

I felt both a sense of peace and nostalgia. Peace over the fact that Robert was finally being nice about letting me go. And nostalgia over the happy times we had shared. I found myself remembering how I had met and fallen for Robert. Remembering the romantic and charming man I’d thought the world of.

The engine sputtered, and the boat slowed. I opened my eyes. One glance around told me we were out very
far on the lake. From here I could only see a thicket of trees, no houses.

I turned to face Robert. “Why did we stop?”

“Look at this place.” He gestured around us. “The majesty of it.”

“It’s spectacular.”

“Being out here reminds me that we’re all a part of something so much bigger,” Robert continued.

“Yes, I know what you mean.”

“It also makes me realize how insignificant a person really is.” Robert paused, locked eyes with mine. “You may be rich and powerful, but one wrong move and this lake will swallow you whole. Really show you who’s boss.”

I felt an odd tingling at the back of my neck. I wasn’t sure where his train of thought was coming from—or where it was heading.

“It’s almost incongruous that a place of such beauty and peace can turn into a grave. Know what I mean?”

The sun was bearing down on my skin, but a chill ran along my arms. I didn’t answer Robert’s question.

“A lot of people have drowned out here over the years. One just a few weeks ago.”

The chill spread through my whole body as Spike’s words sounded softly in my mind.

I got the feeling that he would hurt you…

Had I been stupid to trust Robert, to believe that he’d come to terms with our breakup? Had his goal been to play nice so that he could get me into this boat? And if so, what was he planning to do next?

“The young couple were renters from out of town.
Late one night, they borrowed the owner’s boat and went for a joyride. You probably heard the story on the news. They were drinking, not wearing their life vests. The husband said his wife was standing up, dancing on top of the boat or something like that, and fell in.”

“What are you getting at?” There was a defiant edge to my voice.

“Why do they do it?” Robert asked. “Something so foolish. Are people attracted to danger?”

I glanced around frantically. No one was in the vicinity. No one I could call out to for help. No witnesses.

“I want to go back to shore,” I insisted. I was wearing a life jacket, but God only knew what else Robert could do to me out here.

I got the feeling that he would hurt you…

“Is that what attracts you to Dion?” At my surprise, Robert’s eyes lit up with amusement. “The danger?”

“Is that what this is about?” I asked. “This whole being-friendly charade? Because you know about Dion?”

“Of course I know about Dion,” Robert snapped. He was no longer warm and friendly, but remote and frosty. “The question is, how well do you know him?”

“Well enough. Now take me back to the shore.”

“I’m betting you don’t know anything about his…well, his dangerous side,” Robert went on, as though I hadn’t spoken. “No, you know about the man who coaches college football. Who mentors kids.”

“Take me back
now,
Robert.”

“What you don’t know is that your boyfriend, Dion,
has a past. Quite a colorful one. He’s not just good in bed.”

“I get it, Robert. You’re mad because I’m fucking someone else. Can we go back to shore now?”

“You’ve had your fun, Elsie. I suppose it was bound to happen sooner or later. You are your mother’s daughter, after all.”

My jaw twitched.

“And I’m not heartless. I know I disappointed you with that whole baby business. I take my share of the blame. I’m ready to forgive you and start over again.”

He couldn’t be serious. “We’re not going to have this conversation again. You can try to intimidate me with the talk about drownings, but I’m not go—”

“Intimidate you?” Robert chuckled, gave a “you’ve got to be kidding” laugh. “You’re afraid of me?”

I didn’t respond, just stared at him with an unwavering gaze.

“Dion’s the one you need to be afraid of.”

“If you don’t take me back to shore, I’m going to jump out of this boat and get back on my own. And when I do, I’m calling the police.” I’m not sure where the strength came from to say that, but I meant every word. I was tired of Robert thinking he could intimidate me. Control me. If I died trying to be free of him, then so be it.

Again, that chuckle. It pissed me off.

“You want to jump, jump. But know that what I say is true. Your boyfriend, Dion Barry, isn’t who you think he is. In fact, his real name isn’t Dion Barry. Gregory Williams is the name he was born with. I don’t know
where he told you he grew up, but he grew up in L.A. His street name was G-Boy, short for Green-Boy—because of his eye color.”

A lump had lodged in my throat. I could hardly suck in air. Something about what Robert was saying had the ring of truth. Perhaps due to the easy confidence with which he was reciting these facts, or the reality that he knew as much as he was professing.

“When G-Boy was seventeen, he and his
crew
committed a series of armed robberies. A man was beaten and nearly died.”

My back went rigid. I couldn’t move.

“You might not want to believe what I’m saying, but you’re smart, Elsie. You can find these facts on your own. Any good investigator can dig up dirt—even dirt people thought they long ago washed away with a new name and a new life.”

Robert was silent for a long moment as he stared at me, giving me time to register his words.

“When Gregory was seventeen, he got into a knife fight with another gang member,” Robert went on. “He was stabbed. Spent a week in hospital.”

I gasped. Robert’s words hit me like a sledgehammer to the gut.

His eyes registered understanding. “Ahh. Of course. He’s got a scar. You’ve seen it.”

I said nothing.

“Perhaps this is just a phase you’re going through. Engaging in self-destructive behavior as a way to get back at me.” Robert paused. “I might have been dishonest with you about the vasectomy,” he went on, “but it
can’t be said that I lied to you about who I was. I’ve got the reports about Gregory back at the house. You can read the investigator’s words with your own eyes.”

I couldn’t speak. My head was spinning. My heart was pounding.

“One last chance, Elsie. You say the word, and I’ll forgive you. We resume our life together.”

I heard Robert’s words, but it was as if I was hearing them through a fog. All I could think about was Dion. That he had lied to me.

He had nearly killed someone…

God, no.

I whimpered, then gripped the leather arms of my seat as I tried to suck in air. My lungs weren’t filling fast enough.

It felt like I was drowning. Drowning in a lake of confusion and fear.

I’d been stunned by Robert’s words. Stunned at the truth he had revealed.

Dion had lied to me. He’d concocted a story about getting stabbed while defending his mother.

“Say the word, Elsie. We can leave the past in the past, move forward together.”

A myriad of thoughts were rushing through my brain, but one took center stage.
It doesn’t matter.

It had been nearly two decades since Dion was a teenager. People made mistakes in their youth—sometimes big ones. If Dion had been involved in a gang as a teen, how could I hold that against him? Wasn’t the point that he had risen above the mistakes of his past?

The man he was now was not the child he’d been
then. I would talk to him about what had happened, get his side of the story, but I wouldn’t hold the past against him.

People could judge me because of my history—judge me for my parents’ behavior—but that wouldn’t be fair, either.

I loved Dion. We had connected. Nothing Robert said could change the reality of that fact.

“No,” I said, slowly shaking my head. I was still gripping the armrests, my eyes closed as I tried to steady my breathing. “I love Dion. I love him.”

I didn’t sense the movement until it was too late. A pain suddenly pierced my temple, and my head jerked backward. My eyes popped open. It took me a good couple of seconds to realize that Robert had hit me.

I stared at him, confused. I registered the flashlight in his right hand. The vile expression on his face. And I knew, in an instant, that he was going to kill me.

I tried to move my body, but found I couldn’t. The blow had stunned me.

“You’re an ungrateful bitch.” Robert wrapped both hands around my neck and began to squeeze. “You think I’m going to let you just walk away from me? Humiliate me with some other man?”

“Rob…ert…” His name was a choked cry from my lips. “Stop…”

“You’re a whore, Elsie. A filthy, pathetic whore. You should have been grateful for the life I gave you. Not spreading your legs for every man like your mother.”

Maybe it was Robert’s words, but a surge of adrenaline suddenly shot through me. My survival instincts
roared to life. I couldn’t die like this. Couldn’t let Robert murder me. He would dump me in the lake and tell the world I had drowned.

If they ever found my body.

I grabbed at his hands, scratched at them. He squeezed harder, but I wriggled violently, trying to free myself. His grip only tightened.

My lungs began to burn. They needed air.

I can’t die like this…

With a grunt, I forced my knee into Robert’s crotch with all the strength I had. I hit him good and hard, and he cried out, his fingers reflexively releasing me. Then he doubled over in pain, clutching his groin.

It took only a moment to gasp in much-needed air, then I shoved Robert backward and scrambled away from him. I ran straight to the edge of the boat, prepared to vault into the water. I had a life jacket on. I could make it to shore, no matter how long it took. “Elsie…”

With one leg over the side of the boat, I glanced back. Saw Robert on his back on the vessel’s floor. He was clasping at the life jacket over the left side of his chest.

“My—my chest. Elsie, help me. Please…”

I knew what he was doing. Playing possum so that I would go over to him. And then he would overpower me again, finish the task of killing me.

Robert had cried wolf too many times. I didn’t believe for a second that he was having a real heart attack now.

I put my other leg over the edge of the boat.

“Elsie.”

There was something in Robert’s tone. Something that gave me pause. Made me turn once more. He was still on the ground, groaning and writhing.

“Oh, God,” he gasped.

My eyes widened in alarm as I regarded him. He gripped at his life vest with one hand, clawed at his throat with the other.

Maybe he wasn’t faking a heart attack.

“Please,” he begged.

I swung my legs back onto the boat. Adrenaline was still rushing through my veins as I cautiously approached Robert. I looked down at him, saw a fear in his eyes I had never seen before.

He met my gaze. Held it as his eyes grew as huge as saucers. And then his eyelids fluttered shut.

“Robert?” His hands went slack. But I still couldn’t be sure he wasn’t faking this. “Robert?”

He didn’t respond. Didn’t move.

Dropping onto my knees beside him, I turned my ear over his face. With the light breeze, I couldn’t tell if he was breathing.

“Robert?” I shook him by the shoulders. “Robert!”

No response.

I didn’t know CPR. I didn’t know how to help him. If Robert was going to have a chance of surviving, I needed to get back to land right away.

Hurrying to the helm of the boat, I dropped into the seat and started the engine. I guided the speedboat back to the shore as quickly as I could, glancing back over my shoulder at Robert several times.

He hadn’t moved. No once.

When I got to the shore, I ran to the house to call 911.

But in my heart, I knew it was too late.

Robert was gone.