“You should feel good,” he said. “If it had been up to me I would have left before Osmond showed up.” They were in Kim’s house and Reede’s phone hadn’t stopped buzzing as Mike kept him informed of what was going on. “He was an actuary?” Sophie asked as she sipped her second glass. “Yes, which meant he knew a lot about the finances of people in town. My parents used him for their retirement plan.” She was looking across the kitchen island at Reede. He was still wearing that damned mask and she’d had enough of it. “Off!” she said. “What?” “The mask. It’s time for the great reveal.” When he started to speak, she put up her hand. “No excuses. I don’t care if you’re covered in scars or if you’re the ugliest man alive. I want to see you.” Reede put down his champagne flute, then slowly, oh so very, very slowly put his hands to the back of his head to untie the mask. He fumbled with it. “You want some help?” “Sure,” he said and there was such despair in his voice that Sophie’s heart went out to him.
