False Pretenses - Kathy Herman [40]
She felt Ethan’s arms slip around her as he placed his cheek next to hers. “A penny for your thoughts, Mrs. Langley.”
“I was just reveling in the festive spirit of rue Madeline after dark,” she said.
“And …? Maybe wondering whether Sheriff Prejean is going to discover something that will complicate our lives?”
“You know me too well. But even if he can’t connect our intruder to the hanging, Ethan, we still have to deal with the fact that this man got in and out when we had the placed locked up tight as a tick.”
“Or accept that he doesn’t exist and is merely the figment of our son’s vivid imagination. Carter’s going through a huge adjustment not having his grandparents and Aunt Emily doting on him all the time. We’ve both heard him talking to imaginary characters.”
Vanessa sighed. “But he seems very sure this man is real and not pretend.”
“Honey, he’s four. Unless the sheriff finds something, I think we have to go on the premise that Carter’s ‘candy man’ isn’t real—unless you believe in ghosts.”
“Of course I don’t. The paranormal thing is ridiculous. But I know I didn’t imagine that someone was watching me when I went back out there.”
Ethan brushed the hair away from her eyes. “Vanessa, there’s so much going on in your head, it’s hard to gauge whether the threat was real or whether you were reacting to past traumas.”
“My struggle with your cousin’s murder has absolutely nothing to do with this.”
“Actually it does. We both know that my dad and uncles wouldn’t have given us the deed to Langley Manor if Drew were still alive—or the money from his trust fund to help with the renovation. Ever since we moved here, Drew’s death has been on our minds, especially when we’re out at the house. That has to have an effect on you.”
“For heaven’s sake, Ethan. I heard a twig snap, and it scared me. That doesn’t equate to post-traumatic stress disorder.”
“No, but wouldn’t you agree that your reaction to speed away from there was extreme? All I’m saying is that our moving here has brought the reality of Drew’s murder full circle. And it’s possible that you’re reacting to it on a subconscious level.”
“You’re psychoanalyzing me.”
He smiled and kissed her forehead. “Just don’t be surprised if your PTSD rears its ugly head. Even though Carter can’t remember Drew’s murder or your panic afterward, at least not on a conscious level, I think that may be why he creates these imaginary characters—nice men who make him feel safe. Especially now, since his environment has changed.”
“Why are you just now telling me this?”
Ethan pushed his round glasses up higher on his nose. “I didn’t really consider PTSD until you overreacted to hearing the twig snap. You fled—like you did when Drew was shot and you were trying to protect Carter.”
“You’re right.” She put her hand to her chest. “I can feel my heart racing, just thinking about it. That was the most horrible thing I’ve ever been through. I was terrified the shooter was coming after us. I don’t know that I’ll ever be completely over it.”
“Maybe not completely, but you haven’t had any anxiety episodes in the past year. That’s why I’m saying that moving here has brought back memories of Drew’s death, and you may be reacting to things that wouldn’t normally evoke that kind of fear.”
“That’s not what this feels like.”
“Honey, I’m not sure you’d be able to tell, if it was. But it’s the best explanation I have for what’s happening.”
“Well, if Sheriff Prejean doesn’t call tomorrow to tell us what he found, I’m going to call him and push for answers. If he can match DNA on the lemon drop to anything at the murder scene, we’ll know Carter and I are not imagining things.”
Ethan turned and paused. “I heard a door close in the hallway. I wonder if Zoe made it home.”
Zoe no sooner stepped inside the apartment than Pierce was at the door, putting his arms around her.
“I’m so glad