"You've got to be kidding."

I'd been on my way out, but the cold squelch as I put my left shoe on stopped me in my tracks.

"What's wrong?" Rania called out from the kitchen.

She'd got up to make Aisling breakfast seeing as Shannon had gone back to work, but Rania should have stayed in bed. Nightmares had left her tossing and turning, and I suspected she'd slept even less than me.

But now I blinked exhaustion away and peered into my leather brogue. The stink made me want to vomit, much as that fucking cat had obviously done earlier.

"Taffy's puked in my shoe."

Footsteps came running, and Rania stooped to look before recoiling in horror.

"I'm so sorry! It must be the new brand of cat food. He's used to eating the cheap stuff, and I guess organic salmon disagrees with him. Uh, I'll buy you a new pair of shoes."

With money she didn't have.

"It's okay. Shit happens." Not that I had the money either.

"Not quite shit. I mean, that would have been worse, wouldn't it?"

We stared at each other for a beat, then doubled up with laughter. Only with Rania could this situation be funny. Her smile made even the worst days bearable. I held the shoe out at arm's length and dipped to kiss her.

"Let's go into town later once Shannon gets back. I need shoes, Taffy needs different food, and you need a Kinder Egg."

As I hoped, that made her smile. The little things always did, and she returned my kiss, softly on the lips.

"Sounds like a plan, Mr. Lawson."

***

Except you know what they say about plans...

We got into town, all right, and we even got the cat food and a pair of decent brogues in a half-price sale. But just a few yards from the car, we passed a pharmacy, and I made a schoolboy error. I asked a simple question with far deeper connotations than I ever imagined.

"Nia, how about we get something to help you sleep?"

She froze. "What do you mean?"

"Night Nurse, or maybe some of that valerian extract?"

Silence.

"You tossed and turned all night."

"Can you unlock the car?"

As I climbed into the driver's seat, I hoped I might have been imagining the stiffness in her tone, but there was no mistaking the tears that rolled down her cheeks.

"What did I say?"

"Doesn't matter."

"Clearly it does."

"Will, I'm never going to stop having nightmares, and I'm sorry if they disturb you. I'll sleep somewhere else."

Oh, Rania. I wanted to give her a hug, but I didn't want to upset her further, so I settled for squeezing her hand instead. Most of the time I felt as if I were walking a tightrope around her, and it was one I never wanted to fall off. As for her idea of sleeping alone? I sucked back the snort that tried to escape.

"I sincerely hope that's tiredness talking and not a serious suggestion."

"I'm sorry, okay?"

"You've got nothing to be sorry for. How many times have I told you that? I just thought an over-the-counter remedy might help. Getting through the day on a couple of hours' sleep can't be easy."

"Nothing helps. Nothing. My mother gave me herbs and pills, but they only made the dreams worse, not better, because then I couldn't wake up from them."

"Wait—you got the nightmares before your mum died?"

I thought all the real shit happened to her after that, when she was left to fend for herself in a war zone and travel across Europe. She was saying her problems started as a child? What the hell happened to her back then? The detective in me was dying to know, but the smart man who occasionally made an appearance told me I'd be stupid to ask.

Rania bit her lip and nodded. "Yes, since I was little."

"What are the dreams about?"

Yes, before you ask, I'd put my foot in it once more. Nia turned away, arms folded, and I'd rather have trodden in the cat sick again.

"Death," she whispered.

"Whose death?"

"All the people..." Her voice grew stronger. "Can we just go ho—back to your place?"

"Home," I told her. "It's our home."

***

Rania didn't say a word for the entire journey. The only sound she made was the occasional sniffle, and I vowed never to mention the nightmares again. I'd hold her, I'd comfort her, but I wouldn't talk about them.

What could I do to distract her from her turmoil? We had two hours before she needed to go to work, which had the power to stretch into an eternity if she kept giving me the cold shoulder. A movie? A snooze? Perhaps I could make her a snack?

Except when I opened the front door, the sound of Aisling wailing greeted us. I stuffed my fingers into my ears while Rania dashed into the house.

"What's wrong?" she called.

I expected to hear Shannon, but instead, RJ replied with a note of panic in his voice, rare for him.

"I think she pooped."

Oh, shit. Literally.

I followed Rania into the living room and found RJ sitting on the sofa with Aisling on his lap, her nose wrinkled as she continued to screech.

"Where's Shannon?" I asked.

"She had to go to the supermarket, so I offered to help with Aisling. I mean, she's two years old. How can it be this difficult?"

Man, RJ had it bad if he'd offer to look after a baby to impress Shannon. I choked out a laugh, then regretted opening my mouth because for such a tiny person, that kid sure could create a stink.

Rania held out her arms. "Give her here."

RJ and I both breathed a sigh of relief, followed by a gulp of fresh air as the two girls headed for the bathroom. I shook my head, trying not to laugh, and RJ glared at me.

"What?"

"You've got your work cut out with those two, mate."

"I'm only trying to be nice."

"Sure. Whatever you say. But since you've been relieved of babysitting duties, could you do me a favour and see if Aiden's materialised anywhere yet?"

***

Time with Aisling mellowed Rania enough that I got a smile as we pulled up outside Daylesford Hall, although that was quickly followed by a yawn. She clapped a hand over her mouth, and I resisted the urge to offer sympathy. No, tonight I'd help Rania to clean, run interference if Helene's bitchy side came out, and get my girl home to bed.

"What shall I do to start? Vacuum? Or empty the dish—?" Dammit. My phone rang with the theme song to Inspector Gadget. Rania stumbled out of the car while I answered, and I cursed RJ's timing.

"This had better be good."

"Oh, it is. An hour and a half ago, Aiden's credit card was used at the Odeon in town."

"He's back?" And he'd gone to the fucking cinema?

"Well, I can't say for certain that he's back, but his Visa card definitely is. Fifteen quid isn't enough for two tickets, so whoever spent the money's probably alone with only a bucket of popcorn for company."

How long did the movie last? I could get to town in twenty minutes, but would Aiden still be there? I couldn't afford to pass up the opportunity to find out.

"Rania, get back in the car."

"What? No. I have to work."

"RJ's got a lead on Aiden. We need to check it out."

"What sort of lead?" She yawned again.

On second thoughts, if Aiden had killed Helene, did I really want Rania anywhere near him? The chances of him lashing out in public were slim, but desperate men sometimes resorted to desperate measures. "You know what? It's probably a false alarm. I'll check it out and be back in no time."

"Is that safe?"

"I'll be careful."

I expected an argument, but she nodded meekly and walked away instead. Shit. What happened to the smiles I'd got this morning?

Before I left, I made sure Rania got safely through the front door. Daylesford Hall was in darkness, and the red light of the alarm blinked in reception. Everybody else had left for the evening already.

"Lock the door behind you," I told her. "I'll call you to let me in when I get back. Are you sure you don't want to come?"

"I'll be fine. If Anthony turns up, I'll hide and phone you."

"Ring the police too. That asshole deserves to spend the night in the drunk tank."