Chapter 23 #2
The door to my bedroom slides open slowly, and a slightly tousled Harlyn emerges.
Her eyes seek me out first, and I have the satisfaction of watching her bunched up shoulders relax when she finds me.
The urge to motion her over and tuck her under my arm is strong, but with Chauncey’s words fresh in my mind, I think better of it.
She meanders into the kitchen, not coming as close to me as I hoped, but she’s certainly putting more distance between herself and my friend.
“Hello,” she greets, her voice still smoky from sleep.
“Hey, Harlyn,” Chauncey responds as if he knows her. In truth, he probably feels like he does, at least a little. He’s been reading up on her sister’s case for the past few days right along with Kel and Frank.
“This is Chauncey. We work together, but he’s also a friend.” Chauncey’s eyes widen in shock before he recovers quickly, plastering a charming smile on his face and extending his hand toward Harlyn. She looks over at me quickly before stepping closer and accepting his hand in a brief shake.
“Nice to meet you, Harlyn.”
“You too.” She steps back again, keeping a fair amount of distance between herself and Chauncey. It kills me to know how cautious she is and why, but I’m also appreciative because it may have very well kept her alive over the past year.
“Chauncey has been helping me sort through your sister’s case. What’s available to us, anyway.”
“And what Frank has dug up.”
“Is that why you’re here? Did you find something?” She sounds so damn hopeful, I hate that I’m going to have to ruin that.
“Not this time.” Regret tinges my words. I wish like hell I could tell her that the guy fucked up along the way, but the truth is, I haven’t investigated Hayzel’s case enough to pick up any leads yet. I’ve been focused on making sure Harlyn was safe, but now that she’s here, that will change.
“I’m so sorry. That was insanely selfish,” she says.
“Not really,” Chauncey tells her before I can voice it. “We just need a little more time. Everyone makes mistakes, and we’re damn good at finding them.”
Harlyn’s lips move into a flat smile of acceptance before the room falls into silence that isn’t quite awkward, but isn’t comfortable either.
“I need to go into work for a little while. He’s here to pick me up.
” I hoped to get a few more things in order for her before leaving her alone, but there are things I need to do from a more secure connection which the office computers will provide, as well as open official channels in Hayzel’s case, and only Mickey can give me the clearance to do that.
“And I’m not just a chauffeur or a pretty face.
I also brought this.” Chauncey pulls a tablet out of a messenger bag on the seat next to him.
There’s a beat-up purple case on it that he explains quickly.
“This was my daughter’s before she got her laptop.
It hasn’t been used in a while, but Ana reset it and made sure it was charged this morning.
” He stands up and slides the device across the counter, closer to Harlyn.
“All my tech is for work, and when I mentioned ordering something for you last night, Chauncey offered to let us use this. I figured you’d like to get some of your life back sooner rather than later.
You can get your new email registered with your accounts and make new passwords for the things you can access,” I say while Harlyn looks down at the tablet.
Her hair is blocking her face, so I can’t read her expression.
It makes me question if I should have just bought her something new.
“That… Thank you. That was so thoughtful.” She spares me a glance that lets me know she’s talking to me before adding, “And so kind of you to let me use it,” in Chauncey’s direction.
“It’s a couple years old, but it should work just fine for most things.”
“A phone is what you really need, but that will need to be handled in person, along with your bank stuff. I thought we could do that later this evening.”
She nods, and I ignore the glossy sheen in her eyes that looks suspiciously like tears.
Chauncey turns around to gather his bag. “I’m going to grab the car and meet you out front. It was nice meeting you, Harlyn. I’m sure we will see each other again soon.”
“You too,” Harlyn calls to his retreating back as he heads down the hall. Less than two seconds later, the heavy door to my apartment closes, leaving us alone for the first time since she woke up.
The urge to touch and kiss her is strong, but her crossed arms are now tucked up under her breasts, and she’s working really hard not to look in my direction. Is she mad that I didn’t warn her before Chauncey showed up, or is she upset that I’m leaving?
“You’ll be safe here, and I’m not far. I have this here with my Wi-Fi and password info so you can get the tablet online.
” I place the sticky note on the screen of the tablet.
My email and phone number is also jotted down for her to use.
I don’t like leaving her here without a phone, but I can’t leave mine.
That would get me into a shit load of trouble at work.
“Okay.” Her posture doesn’t change, but she does tilt her head up to look at me. “Thank you for all this. I really do appreciate everything you’re doing.”
“I know, but you don’t need to thank me. I want to help. I had some snacks sent over with the clothes. I don’t really trust someone else to pick out shit from the fridge or freezer section, so I’ll have lunch delivered. What do you want?”
“I’m not hungry,” she says before I can finish.
“You might be later,” I warn. “Email me when you get the tablet going, and we can sort food that way.” And I can check in on you.
“Okay,” she says again. I think I’m beginning to dislike that word. It feels like she’s leaving something unsaid.
I look around, stalling because I don’t want to leave, but know I need to.
“You’ll be safe. No one knows you’re here, but don’t open the door!
” The last part comes out harsher than intended, so I soften my tone.
“No one should knock anyway. If someone buzzes the unit with a delivery, it goes to my phone, and I can let them in on the app.”
“I’m good,” Harlyn answers, but it doesn’t make it easier to leave, especially because she looks the opposite of good. She looks scared.
“Set up the tablet and email me as soon as you do so we can stay in contact.” I approach her slowly. She doesn’t drop her hands, but she doesn’t move away or refuse my touch when I wrap my arms around her either. The one-sided embrace isn’t very encouraging, but I understand her reservations.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Okay.” She may not hug me back, but she does lean into my embrace, resting her head on my chest. My phone vibrates a second later, and I curse. I’m sure it’s Chauncey, and I don’t blame him. I’m not sure how much longer I would have stalled if he didn’t force me into action.
I kiss Harlyn’s temple, then I leave to grab my bag before I decide to say fuck it and stay, ensuring nothing would get done.
Once I’m out of the apartment, I check to make sure the handle is locked behind me then head toward the lobby. The sooner I talk to Mickey and officially get her on board with the Wade case, the sooner I can return home to Harlyn.
Harlyn
I look out the window, watching the day fade as the sun slips farther down on the horizon. It’s been hours since I heard from Boone. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried, but probably not for the right reasons.
The longer he’s gone, the more time I have alone to think about the text from Chloe and everything else.
Let’s just say I’m not filled with the same giddy hope I was yesterday around this time when we were in his bed, and I can’t even just blame the text.
The past week—hell, the past year and a half—has really messed with my mental state.
Is it even fair of me to try to start something with Boone?
What kind of partner would I be? One who always needs reassurance and coddling, that’s for sure.
I tilt my head back to look up at the ceiling.
The television is droning on and has been for hours.
I don’t think I’ve actually paid attention to anything other than myself and my damn feelings all day.
The little boost of life I got after talking with my bank and ordering a new debit card to be sent to this address faded long ago.
Thankfully I got a sympathetic female agent who bypassed the security measures that required it to be delivered to the address on file.
It took tech support another twenty minutes to help me access my account and reset my password, but I have my money back.
I don’t have a way to access it as of yet, but knowing I can pay my own way is a relief.
I lost all forward momentum after that, and that’s when the wallowing began.
I’m getting pretty sick of myself at this point, especially since the one thing I can’t seem to forget is the text message.
I’m not sitting here worried about the stalker finding me.
Boone’s reassurance that I am safe here was enough.
I can’t say I love being alone, but the dread I feel when I think about going back to Michigan or Texas isn’t plaguing me.
I roll my neck and look at the clock. I told myself I wouldn’t email Boone again, but as the hours tick by, I’m starting to rethink that at the threat of him believing I’m clingy.
I check my new email account to make sure I didn’t somehow miss the ding when I was in the bathroom or staring off into space and find nothing but generic ads and the already opened confirmation email from the bank.
The click of the door unlocking startles me, but I’m not sure it can account for the rise in my pulse or the sudden onslaught of nervous jitters filling my belly. Boone walks in and our gazes meet down the long hallway.
“Hey,” I call softly, suddenly I’m unsure. That’s a lie. I’ve been uncertain since last night, and I can’t seem to get a handle on my emotions. One second, I tell myself the text and his reply is no big deal, and the next, I’m spiraling.
“Hey,” he calls back rather solemnly before tossing his keys into the little bowl near the door. “Sorry that took so long.” He breaks eye contact to remove his bag from his shoulder then disappears into his office.
I stand up and wring my fingers. I hate this new awkwardness. I felt it a little this morning, but it was one-sided, and now it’s clearly coming from him too. Does he know I saw the message, or is it something else?
I think about walking down the hall, but my feet feel rooted to the floor, giving him time to emerge from the office only a few seconds later. “Give me five minutes to clean up, and we can head out.” He barely looks in my direction.
The pit in my stomach opens more. “Head out?”
“It’s too late to go to the bank, but we have a little while before the stores close.”
“I talked to the bank earlier. They are rushing me a new card, and it will be delivered here,” I tell his back as he heads into his bedroom. He pauses for a moment before resuming his path toward the bathroom.
Silence reigns for a minute or two until I hear the toilet flush and water turn on at the faucet. Boone eventually emerges from the doorway, but he stays across the room. The tension is completely foreign.
I’m just about to apologize for invading his privacy when he scrubs his hand over his face and lets out a soft string of curses before leveling me with a sad stare and adding, “Sorry, I had a shitty day.”
“It’s okay,” I say quickly, hoping that means he isn’t upset with me. “Is it… Can you… I don’t know what I’m allowed to ask or if you even want to talk to me.” I take a step closer to him in an effort to do something.
“I absolutely want to talk to you.” Boone gives me a censuring look then motions me over to him with a flick of his fingers. I walk over slowly, giving him time to change his mind, but he just lifts his arm and lets me wrap mine around his waist.
I feel the buildup of his heavy sigh before he exhales and lowers his chin to the top of my head. “Mickey was pissed.”
“Mickey?”
“My boss.” He starts rubbing his hands across my back.
“Because of me?” Something in me shifts. I thought I was guilty before for looking through his messages, but this is heavier.
“No, she was pissed at me for not giving her the full truth.”
“About?” My voice is muffled because I don’t have the courage to look up at him.
“What happened in Michigan.”
That’s confirmation he’s in trouble because of me. I lean back, trying weakly to pull away from his embrace. “I’m sorry. Tell him it was my fault.”
Boone tugs me back against his chest, refusing to release me. “Her, and no, because it’s not.”
“Her. Mickey is a woman’s name?”
“Yeah,” he confirms. “After she finished tearing me a new one, she reached out to the state police who are overseeing John’s case and hit a brick wall.”
“A brick wall?” I look up at his face.
“Yeah. He won’t give us anything, and we have no way to force him because I didn’t give Mickey the full picture when I was there, which means if we want to know anything, we either have to rely on Wexford or make a move to take the case on the grounds it could be connected to Hayzel’s, and that won’t be easy considering I have nothing linking them. ”
“I’m sorry,” I say because I have nothing else to offer.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m only pissed that he’s going to try to make us jump through hoops, and I don’t even truly know if the cases are related.”
“I’m still sorry,” I confess, wishing there was more I could do because I feel responsible.
“Don’t be. I was just hoping to catch an easy lead since the scene was… chaotic.” He struggles to find the right word, then he swiftly changes the subject. “Since you took care of the bank, how about that pizza I promised?”
I reel for a moment then promptly agree. He’s not the only one who wants to put the day behind them.