If You Know Her: A Novel of Romantic Suspense

hadn’t been married very long when she was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. She’s manipulative, a chameleon—she can make a person believe whatever they need to believe. You might
think
you’re seeing a woman you can help—if she’ll just
let
you. But that’s not the case. You’re seeing what she
wants
you to see.”
    Remy clenched his jaw, closed his hand around the pen so tightly it snapped.
    Shit—that … no. Not right. Everything inside screeched just how
wrong
that was. It couldn’t be right—it just couldn’t.
    But his voice was cool, collected, as he said, “Borderline personality disorder, you said? Does she have a history of violence?”
    Long, tense moments of silence passed and finally, Carson said, “Yeah. There’s a history of violence. Only against herself … and me. I kept it very well hidden. I didn’t want people thinking bad things about her, and on my part … well, I was ashamed. For her, for myself, for both of us. It wasn’t until things got really bad that I couldn’t hide it anymore.”
    “You’re telling me she was violent with you?” Remy knew he needed to be making notes, processing this.
    But he couldn’t—couldn’t process, couldn’t even wrap his mind around it. That woman lifting her hand against somebody?
    No. The picture just wasn’t coming together for him.
    “Yes.” Carson sighed once more.
    “So you’re telling me she
does
have a history of violence?”
    “Shit, didn’t I just go through that?” he snarled.
    Remy clutched the phone so tight, it was amazing the plastic didn’t crack. This was wrong—so fucking wrong, and he knew it, knew it in his bones.
    She’s manipulative, a chameleon—she can make a person believe whatever they need to believe. You might
think
you’re seeing a woman you can help—if she’ll just
let
you. But that’s not the case. You’re seeing what she
wants
you to see
.
    Damn it, was he just letting her lead him around, he wondered?
    Right then, he wasn’t sure.
    He took a deep, slow breath, focused on the phone. “Can you give me some examples? Tell me what happened?”
    “Examples. Shit.” Carson swore and then demanded, “Why should I tell you this? Just answer me that.”
    “Because if she’s got a mental disorder, then she
does
need help and if she needs help, I’d rather her get help then get locked up. You should know her better than anybody. So if you do care about her, help me help her. Come on, Detective. You’re a cop. You’re sworn to uphold the law, to protect people. If your wife could prove dangerous …”
    “You fucking lawyers, you always know what to say,” Carson muttered. But there was no anger, no malice in his voice. Just exhaustion. “Yeah, you could say she has violent tendencies. You could say she has a history of violence. She’s very manipulative and all those violent tendencies get worse when she doesn’t get her way. She becomes unstable, unpredictable. There is no telling what she might do to somebody she perceived as being in her way.”
    Abruptly, his voice lost that calm, detached tone and he snarled, “There. I gave you all the dirt you needed and don’t tell me you can’t use that. God help me, I hatemyself even though I know she needs help. Now tell me what the fuck is going on!”
    Remy blew out a slow breath and said, “She’s in the hospital at the moment—attempted suicide. Plus, there was an attack on a friend of hers. It looks like she might be responsible.”
    “Fuck.” The word was harsh, heavy with fury and grief. “She’s tried to commit suicide before, so as much as I hate to hear it, that’s not a big surprise. But the friend … you said there was an attack on a friend?”
    “Yes.” Remy scowled absently at nothing. “Maybe you’ve heard of him—it seems like the two of them go back quite a while. The name’s Law Reilly?”
    “Reilly.” Carson grunted. “Yeah. I know Law. I wish I could say I was surprised to hear that she’d turned on him, but Hope’s always had a way of turning on those who’ve tried to help her. Those who care about her.”
    Remy closed his eyes.
    Damn it, was there anything this guy could say that would make it a little bit easier for him to figure out how to handle Hope?
    Of course if he
wanted
her put away, this guy would be making his whole damn night.
    But right now, he could almost hear the cell door swinging shut on her and it was just turning Remy’s stomach. “So you think