Chapter 18
Ryder
E lara took the first shift, driving the first half of the trip. Now it’s my turn and we have about four hours left to go. She fell asleep about twenty minutes ago and I feel the need to avoid every bump and pothole. This is the first time she has fully relaxed since this afternoon when she talked to Hartwell. I can tell how worried she is, but I’m glad she could unwind enough to sleep. The way she was borderline limp in my lap after her panic attack, I knew how tired it made her. Since then, she kept going till she couldn’t anymore and her body likely gave out from exhaustion the moment she didn’t need to focus. It wouldn't surprise me if she slept the rest of the ride. We’re just outside of Paris and I wish she could see it, but I won’t wake her. When all this is over, I’ll bring her back under better circumstances .
The ride isn’t bad. I’ve tried to stay on back roads most of the way. It’s peaceful out here. I never considered myself a countryside person, but my mind is just wandering and I can’t help but imagine what life out here would be like. I’m enjoying basking in my thoughts as every image that comes to mind includes Elara.
I’m essentially driving until I can’t anymore so, hopefully wherever we stop will have a kitchen or kitchenette. I’m probably aiming a little high, to be honest, so I’ll just hope for at least a microwave. But being that we need to lie low, delivery left at the door will be our only option. That shit will add up quick, though. So a kitchenette would be preferable so we don’t blow all the cash we have, given we can’t use credit cards. I feel like a teenager again, only having cash and a debit card.
El may like to have the room filled with snacks, but with the extra stress she’s under, she can’t eat only snacks. I don’t care if I have to make ten meals a day. This is already taking a mental toll on her. I won’t let it take a physical toll, too.
I pull into the hotel parking lot, gently waking Elara and telling her we’re here. Once we get out of the car and get our bags, she pulls her hood up over her head as we walk inside. I check us in while she finds a chair in the lobby, sitting down. I booked one room, but this time, I know she won’t have a problem with it. Granted, it didn’t take long for her to be okay with it before .
I finish checking in and get Elara. It’s almost midnight, and she’s yawned four times from the lobby to the third floor. “When we get in, I’ll handle our bags. You go back to bed.” I say as she rests her head on my arm and nods, yawning again. When I open the door, I have Elara stand just inside while I check the room to make sure everything is fine and no one’s hiding anywhere. Once I do, I walk back over and scoop her up, bridal style, as she wraps her arms around my neck. I carry her to the bed, tucking her in and within five minutes, she’s out like a light. I keep as quiet as possible as I unpack everything. She could probably sleep through a train crashing through the wall right now, though. I take my shirt off and get into bed next to her, careful not to create too much movement. I lay on my side and pull her closer, spooning her, and I feel her body relax against mine as I drift off.
???
You know how you get those indent marks on your face after having some damn good sleep? That’s how Elara looks when she wakes up and rolls over to face me. I chuckle as I trace the lines across her face. “No need to ask how you slept. You’ve got the face marks to answer my question.” She brings her hand up along her face, feeling the indents before rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “Who knew a panic attack could tire me out and give me some of the best sleep I’ve had in months?” She says as she stretches. Glad she’s using some dark humor to cope.
“Maybe we find something else to help you sleep that doesn’t scare the shit out of me.” I remark with a weak smile and she looks at me, worried. I’m not trying to make this about me by any means, but I know she won’t think that.
“Before I realized you were having an attack, I didn’t know what was going on. But the look of pure fear you had on your face… that’s what scared me.” She sits up on the bed and I do the same before she envelops me in a hug. I immediately hug her back, never wanting to let go. “Thank you.” She whispers into my ear.
When we get out of bed, I make breakfast for us both while Elara is in the shower. I got some groceries delivered, so we’ll be good on food for the week, at least. I am not a chef by any means, but when I set it down, El looks at it like it’s a 5-star meal that took hours to prepare and looks too good to eat. “I can’t remember the last time I had a home cooked meal. Most of my meals consist of frozen pre-packaged food, ramen, and cereal.” She states. “Sounds like you never grew out of college meals.” I retort, making her laugh. “That’s probably accurate.” She agrees.
We organize an area of the room to keep everything for the case in one spot, similar to our makeshift evidence board at the first hotel. Only, this time, there’s even less evidence. The only thing on the desk is the laptop I bought and two USB drives. The desk here is long enough for both of us to work, and while there’s only one chair, the ottoman from the couch works just fine. As soon as we finish breakfast, it’s time to go to work.
???
We’ve officially been at this for three hours and out of everyone on the list, the only thing that came up on the public records was a few speed tickets, and three DUIs. Nothing connecting them to Sebastian Harper -or anyone else, for that matter- whatsoever. Apart from rumors that have never been proven and articles about his business ventures, there is nothing online about him that is helpful. He is a virtual stranger to everyone on this list. Not having the FBI database to fall back on isn’t helping, either.
El hasn’t said a word in the last hour. She’s been alternating between typing on the keyboard, writing on paper, crumpling said paper and throwing it across the room, and giving me a look that says she wants to bang her head on the desk.
Every so often, she’ll spin around in the chair, stop when she gets dizzy, sit still while she’s waiting for the room to stop spinning and then go back to the laptop. Not sure if that’s a focusing thing or what, but I’m just going to go with it.
But all in all, I can see how frustrated and stressed out she’s getting. I think breathing exercises would only piss her off right now, so I’m not even going to offer. The light bulb above my head flips on just as she slams the laptop shut and angrily gets up from the desk, stomping towards the kitchen.