Hidden Nature

Nash and Sloan make love in the early morning, and he feels their connection is more than physical. However, she doesn’t fit in the plan he’s made around his work and his house.

Joel and Sari visit, and Joel is initially suspicious of Nash, showing his protectiveness toward Sloan. The couple have bought a house and are taking a small vacation. Sloan thinks that she feels like herself again, back to her earlier level of strength. When she thinks about her moment of floating out of her body, she thinks, “Someone used that victory as a reason or an excuse to turn it into a tragedy. She wanted to be a part of finding them, stopping them” (297).

Researching, she finds out more about Celia Russell, who disappeared while walking her dog. Sloan chats with Celia’s neighbor and learns Celia’s heart stopped during a surgery. She finds a fifth victim, then gets in touch with Detective O’Hara. Meanwhile, Clara and Sam abduct Lori Preston by pretending to be customers.

Sloan has dinner at Nash’s with Theo and Drea, who has brought over Elsie’s stew. Theo and Drea are looking for a house, either buying or building.