Bennett sat up the entire night, drinking and thinking and listening to poor Miss Sheehan in there, her heart in tatters.

What would killing that poor girl accomplish? She was somebodys daughter. How would another young womans senseless death fix anything?

He drained his drink, suddenly fascinated with the nature of his self-loathing, so foul and so dark. He shuddered.

Bennett couldnt save Margot. And now he couldnt save himself. It was too late. Even without homicide, the kidnapping alone would send him to prison for the rest of his days.

But he could save Miss Sheehan.

Bennett looked at the clock on his BlackBerry, noting that it would be dawn soon. Enough was enough.

A soft melody passed through his mind like it was carried on a breeze.

It was catchy, but a little bittersweet. It was his song. /You wouldnt hurt a fly, Benny./ He entered her room on unsteady legs. For a moment, he panicked at the sight of her limp body. Had she done something to herself? Had there been side effects from the tranquilizer? How could he have done that to her in the first place? When Miss Sheehan mumbled in her sleep, he sighed, greatly relieved. Bennett shook her shoulder.

Lets go, he said. She bolted awake, blinking at him in terror. She scrambled to a sitting position.

Dont shoot me. Please.

Im not going to shoot you. Im going to take you home. Ive incon ve nienced you long enough.

He reached down for her and pulled her to a stand, leading her toward the living area. Without warning, an explosion blew one of the side doors right off the hinges, the force of the blast so severe it rocked them backward. Through a rolling wave of dark smoke, at least a dozen men in riot gear swarmed into the house.

FBI! Hands up! Step away from the hostage!

Bennett did what was demanded of him, and within seconds he was thrown to the floor, the crushing weight of a boot pinning his head in place.

She saw Rick instantly. She knew him by the way he moved, the elegant way he was built. As he cleared the smoke, Josie watched him coming right toward her, a look of joy on his face. It was so convincing. Maybe he really did care for her, in his own way. But she wanted more. She wanted the whole thinga man who was good deep down, a man she could trust.

Never again would she let this happen to her.

Are you hurt? Thank God! Josie? Did he hurt you? Ricks hands grabbed her upper arms. Baby, look at me!

Im fine, she said, watching the police drag Cummings to his feet. He didnt hurt me at all.

Rick crushed her in his arms. His body trembled against hers. He kept saying her name over and over, kissing her hair and face. /Josie. Josie.

Josie./ She was relieved when the paramedics peeled Rick off her and forced her onto a gurney. She didnt know how shed ever be able to look him in the eye again.

Josie collapsed into Gloria Needlemans plastic-covered couch and looked around the room, thinking that this was where the whole saga began just a little over a month ago. She showed up for an interview that day and left with a plan to change her life.

Not for the first time, Josie wondered if things would have been better if shed never written that list, never met Rick, and never fallen so deeply in love.

She balanced her elbows on her knees and sighed. Maybe a grand life adventure wasnt all it was cracked up to be. Maybe Josephine Agnes Sheehan was destined to live a dry, boring life in the company of a Labradoodle. Maybe she wasnt supposed to find love. Maybe shed messed with destiny, and shed be paying for her impudence the rest of her days.

Drink this. It will fortify your soul.

Mrs. Needleman suddenly appeared at Josies side, and her words startled Josie. The old woman had gone into the kitchen a few minutes ago to make tea and Josie had forgotten all about her.

She squinted up at Gloria. Did you spike it or something?

The old woman laughed and sat down next to her.

Heavens, no. Its just good old-fashioned black tealoose leaf, mind you.

Now, drink up.

Josie took a cautious sip of the hot liquid and set the cup and saucer on the side table. She let her head fall into her hands.

Gloria patted her back in rapid, gentle taps. The important thing is you werent harmed, and that man is behind bars.

Josie shook her head back and forth, feeling her hair fall down around her like a curtain. Shed come here to ask Mrs. Needleman for advice, but now all she wanted to do was get back under the covers and hide, her preferred mode of existence for the last week and a half. She hadnt left her apartment except to walk Genghis. Her family and Bea, Ginger, and Roxie had been her only visitors.

You have to see your young man.

I cant, Josie said, her face still covered by hands and hair.

Nonsense! Weve already seen how courageous you are.

Dear God, Josie was sick of that word. Where had courage gotten her?

Shed been courageous enough to write the list, ask Rick for a date, chase him down, accept him for who he was, and survive a two-day kidnapping ordealand where had all that taken her? Right back where she started, where she always seemed to end upalone, a man gone from her life, without her soul mate.

The only difference was that this time, it hurt so bad she didnt know if shed ever bounce back.

Josie raised her head and glanced over at Mrs. Needleman. The old womans knowing expression made her so uncomfortable she couldnt sit still. May I use your bathroom? Josie asked.

Mrs. Needleman pointed an arthritic finger toward the hallway. Second door on the right. Take all the time you need, dear.

Thanks. Josie bolted to the hallway but didnt make it past the first door on the right or the left. She stopped in her tracks. The hallway was covered with framed photographs. Josie had to blink a few times to make sense of what she was seeingGloria Needleman, marrying people, on the beach and in gardens and on the court house steps. In backyards and on sailboats and in a rooftop garden, the wind whipping her dress around her skinny legs.

The photos were in color and black-and-white, and they showed old couples with canes, college students, middle-aged people with kids. The people were black, white, Chinese, Latino, and everything in between.

The dress code was white satin, jeans and boots, or hippie chic. The photos were dated from the 1960s through the first decade of the twenty-first century.

Josies mouth fell open.

Yes, I am a certified marriage officiate in the state of California, said a warbly voice at Josies side.

She jumped. /God, this lady has a habit of sneaking up on me!/ But Josie stared down at the wrinkly face with the fierce eyes. I dont get it. Youre a preacher or rabbi or something?

Gloria laughed heartily. Why, I do happen to be ordained in a nondenominational faith. Im also a notary public. But the point is Ive been given a gift, and its my duty to use it.

Your duty is to go around marrying people?

Gloria laughed again. My duty is to connect people, to use my gifts to gently guide people toward love.

Josie squinted. So youre a real matchmaker?

The old woman shrugged.

Josie returned her attention to the wall, searching for something that would help her understand why she suddenly felt angry. She turned abruptly toward the old woman. You set me up with Rick? This was your plan all along? Josie felt herself shaking she was so mad. You had no right to do that, Gloria.

No, no, dear girl. I didnt know Rick existed as an individual. Please, come sit down with me again and Ill try to explain.

Josie felt as if she were sleepwalking as Gloria led her back to the sofa.

When you came to see me after Ira died, I knew instantly that you were my next assignment.