And suddenly, I understood that what had happened to Mrs. Wilson wasn't merely one young man's attempt to steal from a lonely widow.
It was part of something much larger.
Someone was systematically targeting the women who controlled the future of our neighborhood.
And my mother was the last one on their list.
CHAPTER 4: SIX WOMEN HAD ALREADY BEEN TARGETED—BUT THE FIRST ONE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD
The next morning, Mrs. Wilson grabbed my wrist in her hospital room and whispered, “Emma, the woman who started all this is someone your mother trusts.”
Her face was pale against the white pillows.
She had bruises around both wrists and looked exhausted.
But her eyes were clear.
I pulled a chair closer.
“Who?”
Mrs. Wilson glanced toward the door.
“Someone from the old circle.”
My heartbeat quickened.
“The Seven Oaks Circle?”
She nodded.
“You know about it?”
“Mom showed me the photographs.”
