17. Freya
17
FREYA
I stand in front of the fancy coffee maker in Jude’s parents’ kitchen, listening to it grind the beans. It took me a while to figure out how it worked but I had the time. After I read the message from my sister, I snuck out without waking Jude and Oz. I tap on my screen and read it again.
Unknown: Dad used to say he saved her. Our mom.
There’s nothing particularly ominous about the message other than it reveals yet another thing I don’t remember and Allie does. I chew on the inside of my cheek before scrolling through my contacts.
I haven’t spoken to Luke, my old partner, as much since I officially joined the FBI. Mostly because he and Josh seem to be spending the early days of their relationship completely wrapped up in one another. I’m happy for them. It was about time Luke pulled his head out of ass and realized how perfect Josh is for him.
I wish I was calling him just to chat and catch up but once again I’m reaching out to Luke behind the guys’ back.
Guilt curdles in my stomach as the coffee machine hisses, brown liquid pouring in two fine lines into the cup.
I ignore the pit in my stomach and press call.
The phone rings a couple of times before Luke’s floppy blond hair appears on my screen. He grins. “Well, if it isn’t the FBI agent herself.”
I smile despite myself. “Hi, Luke.”
He sits up and sheets rustle around him.
“Uh, are you in bed?”
His model perfect brows lift on his forehead. “Freya, it’s six in the morning. Besides, I’m not in my bed.” He smirks then winces as a hand hits him in the stomach.
I roll my eyes. “Hi, Josh.”
Josh’s head pops into the screen, his short brown hair all mussed up and his cheeks pink. “Hi, Freya. How you doing?”
“I’m good. Is Luke treating you right?”
Luke’s jaw drops as he scoffs. “Uh, offended.”
Josh just smiles. “Meh, he’s alright. I’ve got a few other guys lined up to compare.”
“You better be joking,” Luke says, the look on his face so damn serious I laugh.
“Karma’s a bitch,” I say to the man who played the field more than a little before finally realizing Josh was the one for him.
“Yeah, yeah.” He waves me off. “Where are you anyway? It looks like a palace.”
“It pretty much is. Apparently, Jude comes from money.”
“Nice.”
“It would be if his parents weren’t assholes.”
“Ahh.”
“Yeah, listen. I need to ask you a favor,” I say, dropping my voice as the coffee machine finishes whirring away.
Luke sits up straighter. “Shoot.”
I bite my lip. I could back out now. I could and probably should go tell River about the unknown number, but I want to have all the facts before I do. “I need you to visit my sister.”
“At the psychiatric hospital?”
I nod. Allie had been moved there while she awaited trial. “I think she’s got hold of a phone somehow. I need you to talk to her, find out how she got it.”
“Shit. Are you sure?” Luke brushes his blond locks back off his face.
“That’s why I need you to check. Please.”
“Of course. I’ll go as soon as I can.”
My shoulders drop a little. “Thank you.”
Luke nods. “Be careful, Freya.”
“You too. Look after Josh.”
He smiles. “Always.”
We hang up. I slip my phone into my pocket and pick up the jug of milk off the counter. I go on ignoring the way my stomach twists and let the white noise of the milk steaming block out my thoughts.