Chapter 17 #2
Aurora sat down at the computer and opened the internet browser.
Thankfully, she remembered her password for her email, so she could log-on.
Usually, she didn’t get very many email messages from friends.
But since yesterday, there were dozens. The word had gotten out about her being the witness to Wolfson’s murder, so there were plenty of panicked subject lines asking how she was.
She guessed that they must’ve also heard about the attack on her building, given the urgency in their wording.
Not many friends from St. Louis had written, though. They probably hadn’t heard the news out of Southern California. Then again, after her break-up with Justin, most of their joint friends had dropped her.
Pushing that thought away, she got onto her Instagram account. She drew a blank on that password, so she had to reset it using her email. And she couldn’t access the full app on the computer, but she was able to see and respond to her messages.
A few more friends had been checking on her there. She sent off quick responses, assuring them that she was safe and in a secure location. But she just didn’t have the energy to write more, or to reply to all the old high school classmates that she hadn’t even spoken to in ages.
She spotted a message from her ex, Justin, and promptly deleted it. She didn’t need his mental games right now.
A message came in while she sat looking at the screen. It was Nadia, Brandon Wolfson’s wife.
Aurora, is that you? Nadia had written. It says you’re active. Just want to make sure that you’re all right.
The poor woman. She’d already lost her husband, and now all this new drama.
She responded to Mrs. Wolfson’s message, asking for a reminder of her phone number, and then called using FaceTime.
Nadia appeared on the screen. She was an attractive woman in her late forties, with gray-blond hair and unlined skin. Usually, she had impeccable makeup and clothes, but right now she looked like she’d either just gotten out of bed or hadn’t gone to sleep. A loose jogging top, no makeup.
“Aurora, I was so terrified after I saw the news. Thank god, you’re okay. You aren’t hurt, are you?”
“I made it out just fine. I’m in a secure location. But how are you doing? I can’t imagine how terrible this has been for you.” It had been less than a week since Brandon’s murder.
“For you and me both. I can’t even begin to talk about Brandon right now. I’m just so sorry that you got dragged into this, whatever it is. I don’t understand it. Just a few days ago, you and I were planning my birthday party for next weekend, and now Brandon…”
The woman wiped away tears.
Aurora folded her arms on the table. “I’m so sorry.”
“Some of my friends still want me to have the event. But I don’t know. It would be so hard to see everyone.”
“That’s true. But it might also be nice to have them around. I’m really missing my best friend right now.” Though she knew her own situation was hardly comparable, since she hadn’t lost anybody that she loved.
A small line creased Nadia’s forehead. “You don’t think it would be terrible? Having a party so soon after Brandon died?”
“Don’t think of it as a party. More like a support group.”
Nadia’s eyes squeezed closed. Tears fell. But she smiled. “You’re something, Aurora. Thank you. Maybe…it might be nice to have an event to look forward to. Do you think the caterers are still available? I haven’t spoken to anyone in days, paid bills, nothing.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine. I can send them a quick email and check for you. Same with the florist and the baker.” They’d missed the final deposits with all the chaos lately, but Aurora bet she could get the party back on track.
“Really? Are you sure?”
Aurora had already done so much of the planning. And having some work to do gave her a glimmer of hope. Eventually, this would all be over, and she could get back to living her life. Doing everything that she loved.
And what about Devon? she wondered. They had talked about being friends… But that was too much to think about right now. Not on top of everything else.
She ended the video call and sent off a few emails about Nadia’s birthday party.
Sylvie came out of the bedroom, where she had been setting up Devon’s device. She closed the door behind her, leaving him in the other room.
“He’s going to call his family. I’m sure they must be worried.”
Aurora nodded. She’d gotten the impression that he was close to his family, especially after his brother’s death. So of course, Devon wanted to reassure them.
“I’m surprised Max let you give us access to our email and everything.
I would’ve thought he might not trust me to keep our location a secret.
” Aurora shrugged. “Maybe it’s not fair to call him paranoid, given everything that’s going on, but he’s always been overprotective.
Like he thinks I’m so stupid, I’ll mess everything up if I’m left to myself. ”
“Oh, no. This was Max’s idea. He can be a little intense, I’ll give you that. But he knows what he’s doing. If he’s overprotective, it’s only because he cares so much about you.”
“How long have you worked with him?”
“Three years. Max is a great boss. The best I’ve ever had. I can imagine it might be a little stifling to have him as a brother, but all I can say is, he lets his employees have some free rein. He listens to our ideas. He’s always open to hearing different opinions.”
“This is Max Bennett we’re talking about? I guess he’s different at work than he is with family.”
Sylvie laughed. “Maybe so. Family’s always complicated. Mind if I sit?” She grabbed a chair and pulled the laptop toward her. “So, we got a ton of video footage from around Ocean Lane the other day. When you saw the guy watching you near the police station?”
“Right.”
“Lana Marchetti said they had a detective going through it, but without a more detailed description, the police haven’t made any progress.
And of course, you haven’t had a chance to work with the sketch artist, since you’ve been a touch busy, and we’d rather keep you separate from the police side of the investigation for now.
So, Max thought you should take a look yourself. See if you can spot him.”
“My brother did? Really?”
Sylvie smiled wryly. “I told you, Max is all about giving us a chance to prove ourselves. Does that sound good to you?”
“Of course! I’ve been dying for some way to help.”
“I’m sure you have. I just need to log in to the secure remote server, and I’ll be able to access the footage they’ve compiled.”
While Sylvie went through the various levels of passwords and authentication, Aurora said, “It’s interesting to hear a different perspective on Max.” She drummed her fingers on the table, trying to be nonchalant. “What about Devon? How well do you know him?”
Sylvie tilted her hand back and forth. “Enough to know he’s one hundred percent reliable.
And enough to worry about him because the man never takes a break.
He’s the only person who works as hard as Max.
” She barked a laugh. “Or me. Devon’s the one we call if somebody is sick or needs the night off.
He has no social life, far as I can tell.
But he always insists that he’s fine. He’s as empathetic as they come.
But that man’s got his own emotions on lockdown. ”
That sounded like Devon. “So…no girlfriends?”
“I’ve never seen him with anyone, and from that look of concentration he’s usually got, I’d guess it’s been a long time for him. If you know what I mean. A guy that wound-up? When he finally loses control, it’s going to burn down the neighborhood.”
Aurora’s skin heated, thinking of the kiss they’d shared. Devon—though he’d been “Rick Harrison” at the time—had indeed lost his perfect control for a few blissful seconds. The two of them had almost combusted before he’d shut it down.
But what would happen if Devon finally let go of all his inhibitions? That would be something to see.
“Don’t tell him I said any of that!” Sylvie begged. “He’ll give me so much shit.”
“Do you ever date guys in the office?”
She made a face. “Nah, Captain America isn’t my style, and my office is full of them.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I go for the bad boys.”
“Oh, please tell me you’re seeing someone scandalous. I haven’t gotten any since my ex in St. Louis. I need to live vicariously.”
“Ha, I wish. The problem is, I want a bad boy on the outside, and a sweetheart within. Which is some kind of mythical beast, far as I can tell. But enough about me. Let’s find that dickwad who was following you and nail him to the wall, shall we?”
Sylvie cracked her knuckles and placed her fingers on the keyboard.