Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

Chapter 1890

This place is a nightmare, and Fiona-damn her-how did she see through everything?

"Don't even think about running!"

The female detective lashed out with a kick, but instead of stopping Deanna, she sent her stumbling right toward the door. Watching from the side, Fiona nearly pinched the bridge of her nose-could that kick have been any more off?

Deanna landed right where she needed to be, sprang to her feet, and just as a young nurse walked in, she seized her chance. In one quick motion, she yanked the silver bracelet from her wrist and looped it around the nurse's throat, squeezing tight until the nurse was gasping for air.

For a moment, it was a standoff-then Deanna proved she knew more than a little self-defense. She kicked the nurse's rolling cart hard, sending it crashing into the detective, and shoved the nurse into the officer's arms. In the confusion, Deanna bolted.

She got out of the hospital room, but not out of the hospital itself. The second she stepped outside, plainclothes cops were waiting. They grabbed her before she could even run.

"Ms. Fiona, thanks again for your help," the detective said, settling across from Fiona with a grateful smile. She tapped her cup against Fiona's, almost teasing. "Ever thought about working with us?"

Fiona took a slow sip, set her mug down, and gave a little smile. "I'm not really cut out for that kind of thing. I like doing my own thing-being tied down just isn't for me."

chuckled, glancing at her phone. "I'll get going, then. Let's grab dinner sometime-bring

completely lost. She honestly didn't know what had

and Nash weren't as stunned as Pearl, but even they hadn't expected Fiona to pull off

Fiona's suspicions had started

ет

she'd gone home to hunt for that photo of the knife. She'd remembered the fire that took out the Larkin family estate. Back when she'd cornered Josie at the Woods house-beating her down and forcing those insect larvae into her-she'd caught a glimpse of a strange

only caught the edge of it, but she'd recognized it instantly—they

the detective had been nearby, which was why Fiona

stammered, still in a fog, staring

picked up her mug and walked over to Pearl. She looked out

voice low and even

planning to

mother