Chapter 23
I wasn’t happy about having to stay in Knoxville, but at least the motel was three steps up from the last one. No stains on the bedspreads, and even better, no sad clown staring down at me.
“Are you okay?” Sophie asked tentatively.
I smiled.
“Uhm, that’s kind of a bullshit smile. I saw you use that very same one four years ago when you were passed over on a People’s Choice Award and the camera panned to you in the audience.”
I laughed. “I hate when they do that.”
“I can imagine.”
I was really beginning to like Sophie. She was different from Angelica, quieter, but just as intuitive.
“I can’t stand the idea that I brought all this on everybody. If it weren’t for me, Code and the others in Jasper Creek wouldn’t be ready to go to war.”
Sophie’s face crumpled and I realized my mistake. I jumped up and went over to the other bed where Sophie was sitting and put my arm around her. “Hey. Hey.”
I tried to stop her before she started to cry, but it was no use. The storm had been building, and I had just lit the match. “It’s neither of our faults, Sophie.”
She tried to pull away, but I wouldn’t let her.
I pulled her closer, then she stopped struggling and collapsed into my arms. I let her cry it out.
She was saying something, but I couldn’t understand her.
I really didn’t have to. I knew where her head was at.
It was her stepbrother who had started all of this, and she felt responsible. I got that. God, did I get that.
I don’t know how long it took for her to get herself together. She finally looked up at me.
“What do I do, Kit? How can I ever make this right?”
“It’s not yours to make right, sweetie.”
“Yes. Yes it is. If I had never cried on his shoulder about losing that last part, this would never have happened.”
I cupped her cheeks and forced her eyes to meet mine.
“There’s something broken in Russell. He still was going to blackmail people.
He was still hurting people like Eddie Pope.
Yeah, he targeted me, but he was hurting other people too.
Trying to take responsibility for a sick man’s actions will drive you crazy. You can’t do it, Sophie. You can’t.”
She looked up at me with desperate hope. “You really think that?”
“I really do. I do, Sophie.”
“But all those people. Your Code. He’s in danger.”
“People would have been in danger no matter what. The Russians always would have become involved, and we’re just damned lucky that we have people like Code and Simon who can fight them and win.
Can you imagine what it would be like if the Russians came against normal people? It would be a bloodbath.”
That did it. I saw a real spark of not just hope, but belief. She was actually hearing me.
“You really believe what you’re saying,” she breathed out.
“I do. Code can fight them and win. He’ll save innocent lives.”
Sophie flung her arms around me and hugged me, then pushed back. “You have it bad.”
“Huh?”
“You are so ga-ga over that man.”
“I…uh…”
She burst out laughing.
And just like that, the storm had melted away.
“Why don’t you go wash your face. I vote for us getting something to eat. I want out of this room, and I haven’t eaten since we left LA. Since we’re not in Jasper Creek, we can at least go outside.”
“Deal.”
While Sophie went into the bathroom I looked down at my phone for the fortieth time, and saw I had a text from Angelica.
ANGELICA: How are you holding up? The orchard isn’t any fun without the twins.
“Are you ready to go?”
I looked up at Sophie. “Shit.”
“What?” she asked.
“Simon checked us in with some false credit cards. I have my wallet, but I don’t have much cash with me. How about you?”
“I’m a starving actress, I’m broke,” Sophie admitted. She went over to her purse and pulled out her wallet. She winced. “Four dollars.”
I looked in my wallet and came up with twelve. “Sixteen dollars will cover something at a convenience store. It won’t be great, but it’ll be food.”
“A convenience store hotdog is cheap, we’ll be fine,” Sophie assured me.
“You’re kidding me, right? I don’t want a case of botulism.”
“The big gulp will counteract the poisons from the dog. Come on let’s go. I want out of here too. We can’t use all of our money, we’re going to need some for a vending machine dinner.”
“I still have coins at the bottom of my purse, so we’re covered. I’m ready.”
I followed Sophie out of the room as I texted Angelica back.
KIT: Holding up okay. Can’t wait for this to be over with.
ANGELICA: Jase and Code will take care of everything. Hold on. You’ll see.
Sophie held the door open for the elevator, and I followed her in. When we made it down to the front desk, we asked if there was a convenience store nearby. The clerk gave us a funny look, then said there was one connected to a gas station three blocks east.
We thanked her, and headed out. It was hot out, and by the time we got to the shop, we were both thankful for the air conditioning when we got inside.
We bought two hot dogs and two Big Gulps, I splurged and made mine full of sugar.
I deserved it. Hell, I needed it. I snagged a candy bar and Sophie grabbed Twinkies.
I still had to grab some of my change from the bottom of my purse to cover the tab.
After I paid, I turned from the cash register to find a seat and was confronted by three teenage girls who were all holding up their phones.
Aw shit!
“Kit! Can we get pictures with you?” they all shouted at once. I would bet anything it was the woman at the motel who had squealed.
“I’ll take group shots with all of you with Ms. Lord, as long as you promise not to post until tomorrow. Will you do that?” Sophie asked the group of girls.
Damn, she was good.
“Yes,” they shouted. They all grouped around me, jostling my ice cream. But Sophie grabbed it and put it back up on the counter.
A young couple watched what was going on, as Sophie snapped pictures.
I saw them pull out their phones. I snagged my sundae, grabbed Sophie’s hand, and we beat a hasty retreat back to the motel.
When we got to the reception desk, three women were standing there waiting to get their pictures taken with me.
Sophie again made them promise not to post anything until tomorrow.
As soon as we got up to our room, I called Code, but it went to voicemail. I told him my concern, but it was too late to do anything about it now.