The Three Beths

by Jeff Abbott

  Broussard didn’t move for a moment. Then he embraced Mariah, tucked her head into his shoulder. She sobbed against him as if the weight of the world were on her. He looked over her shoulder at Craig, who met his gaze in silence. Craig closed his eyes.

  “What would your mother want to happen?” Broussard whispered to Mariah. “Do you think your mother would want you to suffer? To pay?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t know.”

  “Your mama knows you never meant to hurt her. No matter what happened. I can tell you that.”

  Mariah shuddered in his embrace.

  “She knows. She knows. That’s what truly matters. She knows. She knows, baby girl. She knows.”

  Mariah sobbed. She tried to breathe. The breath came. Then the next one. And the next one.

  Take her home, Broussard mouthed to Craig. Take her home. It’s going to be all right. Take her home.

  Acknowledgments

  I was writing The Three Beths when our house burned down. It made for a challenging experience, to try to be creative during a time of displacement for me and my family, who were my primary concern. My thanks for those who helped me with this book are particularly heartfelt. Special thanks to Lindsey Rose (who patiently shepherded this book through this difficult time), Ben Sevier, Karen Kozstolnyik, Beth de Guzman, Matthew Ballast, Andy Dodds, Jordan Rubinstein, Joe Benincase, Flamur Tonuzi, Jeff Holt, Nidhi Pugalia, Lori Paximadis, Peter Ginsberg, Holly Frederick, Jonathan Lyons, Sarah Perillo, Madeline Tavis, Shirley Stewart, Eliane Benisti, and Chip Evans.

  A special thanks to our many neighbors, family and friends, and kind strangers—here in Austin and from around the world—who responded with help, comfort, prayers, and aid to our family during this time.

  Thanks as well to my fellow authors JT Ellison, Meg Gardiner, and Laura Benedict, who in the aftermath of the fire coordinated a book drive among authors and readers to help me rebuild my personal library. Their kindness, and the generosity of those who responded meant a great deal to me as I was writing this book. JT also kindly read an early draft of the book and provided thoughtful feedback, and Meg met me at our local coffee shop for writing sessions. Thank you all.

  Thanks as well to Harlan Coben and Daniel Stashower, who were constant friends during the process of writing and rewriting this book and encouraged me over the rough patches.

  As always, my deepest thanks to Leslie, Charles, and William for their love and support.

  You will not find Lakehaven on a map. You also will not find “Faceplace” as a widely used social networking site.

  Any errors or manipulations of fact for dramatic purposes are all on me.

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  About the Author

  Jeff Abbott is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of seventeen novels. His books include the Sam Capra thrillers Adrenaline, The Last Minute, Downfall, Inside Man, and The First Order as well as the standalone novels Blame, Panic, Fear, Collision, and Trust Me. The Last Minute won an International Thriller Writers award, and Jeff is also a three-time nominee for the Edgar Award. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his family. You can visit his website at JeffAbbott.com.

  ALSO BY JEFF ABBOTT

  Sam Capra series

  Adrenaline

  The Last Minute

  Downfall

  Inside Man

  The First Order

  Whit Mosley series

  A Kiss Gone Bad

  Black Jack Point

  Cut and Run

  Standalones

  Panic

  Fear

  Collision

  Trust Me

  Blame