Two years later Manhattan, New York

Andrew Kane smiled up at Erin Cartlan as she handed him a bottled water.

"They're lined up out the front door," she said, pleased, referring to the line of people outside the door of her bookstore waiting to meet him and get an autographed copy of his new book.

"I hear it's your best yet," the brunette in front of him said, waiting for him to finish her inscription. "East of Normal? Wherever did you come up with that title?"

"You'll figure it out when you read the book," he answered.

"Is it true it's based on something that really happened to you?"

"You know book publicists," he said, keeping his eyes down and scratching his name on the page. "They'll say anything to sell tons of books."

He handed her the book and that's when he saw her. She was in line, not ten feet away. He almost didn't recognize her. She was dressed in a tailored brown suit and her hair was cut short. She was actually very pretty. If he didn't know better he'd think she was a professional businesswoman and not an ex-convict out on parole. She waved when she saw him notice her. He waved her to the front of the line.

"Do you mind?" he asked the gentleman who was next and, of course, what could he say but no he didn't mind.

Andrew stood to greet her, not knowing what was appropriate. She saved him by offering her hand.

"God, Melanie, you look great. How long have you been…" He stopped himself before saying "out of jail," but he could see she knew the rest of the question.

"Only a couple of months."

"And how's Charlie?"

"Good. Really good. Three more years and he has his first parole hearing." She turned back to the long line, distracted and smiling when she said, "Look at you." Then she turned over the copy of his novel she had already picked up. "It's good. I like how you did it."

"Well, there are some things I used creative license with."

"I know." She smiled. She'd obviously already read the book and was pleased with her portrayal.

"How did you find out about…" and she leaned in, lowering her voice, "my father and, well, you know?"

"Mostly your mom and some newspaper articles. I suspected Jared had to kill him to end the abuse and that's partly why Jared was the way he was. Did I do okay?"

"Oh, yes, I loved the book," she said, hugging it to her. "Even if you did get a few things wrong or rather used creative… what was it?"

"Creative license. You know," and he pulled her aside, indicating to Erin and the waiting line of people that he'd only be another minute or two, "I never would have believed you were capable of doing what you ended up having to do."

"Really?" She leaned in close again. "What you didn't realize was that it wasn't the first time for me."

"Excuse me?" He wasn't sure what she meant.

"My father?" She looked around to make sure there was enough chatter behind her that she couldn't be overheard. "It wasn't Jared that night. He just cleaned up the mess."

Andrew stared at her, only now realizing what she was saying, that she had killed her father and not Jared.

"So can you autograph my copy to me and Charlie?"