Chapter 21 #2
‘Can you get NYPD to reopen the investigation into Corinne Walker’s death? Now that this op is over, I can give evidence.’
Agent Mallory nodded. ‘I can do that.’ She looked back at me. ‘Is that what you want, Kendra?’
The knot of emotions in my stomach tightened painfully. ‘Yes, I want justice for my mom.’
‘I understand. I’ll make some phone calls once I’m back at the office.’
‘Thank you,’ I murmured.
Agent Mallory got up and nodded at me, then Lucas. ‘I’ll be in touch,’ she said to him before leaving the room.
Lucas looked back at me. ‘You’re one of the most impressive people I’ve ever met, Kendra.’
‘Thanks,’ I said, swallowing the lump in my throat. ‘I’m kind of an asshole too, though.’
He laughed. ‘That’s one of the reasons why you impress me.’
They finally let me go once my damp clothes were almost dry, and time was running out to meet Alice. It was a straight shot through Midtown to get to her, and despite the rain having stopped I took a cab, wanting to get there as quick as I could.
I rocked up to the Empire State with about fifteen minutes to spare.
Perfect timing.
It took a little while to get through security and take the elevator all the way up a hundred and two floors to the observation deck. And, as I stepped outside, the sun was just starting to set – the storm having left behind a beautiful, stunning sky.
I took a second to breathe, to close my eyes and just have a moment to exist.
Then I started looking for her.
I took one loop round the observation deck, peering out at the city and keeping my eyes peeled, but when I didn’t spot her I found a bench to perch on until she arrived.
After everything that had happened today, I was waiting for the emotional breakdown that I was surely due, but right now I felt a strange sense of peace.
I’d achieved more than I’d set out to do.
I’d solved my mom’s puzzle – the last puzzle she’d ever set for me.
I’d helped Alice get her jewelry back. And, most importantly, the investigation into my mom’s death was going to be reopened, meaning she might finally get the justice she deserved.
I just hoped that, when my emotions eventually did catch up with me, I’d be somewhere slightly less public.
Right then, Alice burst out of the doors to the observation deck, looking a little breathless and frazzled. I watched her for a second, wanting the opportunity to observe without her knowing, and my heart tripped in my chest as I took her in.
I hadn’t meant to bring her along on my scavenger hunt for the jewelry.
And I really hadn’t meant to fall for her.
We came from such different backgrounds, with polar opposite views of the world. I was the original pessimist, and Alice wore permanent rose-tinted glasses. Maybe none of that mattered, though. Maybe that was why we worked.
‘Alice,’ I called, standing up, and her shoulders visibly slumped with relief.
She stumbled over to me and immediately cupped my face in her hands, drawing me in for a kiss that was pure sweetness and relief.
‘I’ve been so worried about you,’ she murmured against my lips.
‘I’m fine,’ I promised.
Alice wrapped her arms round my waist and squeezed our bodies close together, and I had to close my eyes to stop myself from crying. She brushed her fingers through my hair, clearly sensing I was a woman on the edge, and her compassion started to heal that broken crack in my heart.
‘Are you hurt?’ she asked. ‘You’re so cold.’
‘I’m not,’ I said, though I still squeezed her tighter, for comfort rather than warmth. ‘I’m all right, I promise.’
‘Did the plan work?’
I nodded and swallowed hard. ‘He admitted to it, Alice. He killed my mom. And a police officer today too. He’ll never be back on the streets again.’
‘I’m so relieved,’ Alice replied, tears in her own eyes. She gathered me up in her arms once more and I took a second to breathe in her familiar scent.
‘So,’ I said, straightening up.
‘So,’ Alice agreed. ‘What are you going to do next? Rob a bank, maybe? Break into the White House?’
I laughed. ‘That seems like way too much hard work. I guess … I guess I go back to the shop. Actually start selling stuff again.’
Alice shook her head. ‘Try again, Kendra,’ she said gently.
‘I can’t,’ I said, my throat thick. I’d already resigned myself to this being the only option I could choose. ‘I can’t do anything else.’
‘I think you’ve already proven that you can do anything you set your mind to,’ she said. ‘You could consider college?’
‘I –’ I stopped myself.
‘What?’
‘I don’t think I can.’
Alice sighed, clearly frustrated. ‘If you don’t want to go to college, then don’t do it. Definitely don’t do it for me. But, Kendra, you can’t live the rest of your life wondering what the ghosts of your family would approve of.’
Her words hit me in a way nothing else ever had.
‘Well, that’s fucking painful,’ I said, rubbing my hand over my breastbone like I was physically wounded.
‘I meant what I said before, you know. You’re beautiful and kind and intelligent. You can do whatever you want.’
‘I want …’ I had to think about it for a second. ‘I want to apply to NYU,’ I said, finally admitting that aloud for the first time. Once the words were out, they terrified me.
‘If you need any help, you know where I am,’ she said with a crooked smile.
I reached out my hand, and Alice took it, linking our fingers together, and we walked round the deck slightly so we could better see the sunset over the city.
The deep blue of the approaching night was bleeding into the rich reds and pinks and oranges – the cool calm taking over the fiery energy of the day.
Space was tight with so many people up here with the same idea, so I pulled Alice close, her back to my front, my chin on her shoulder, and we watched the sky together.
‘I haven’t been up here in, like, a decade,’ I said as we watched the tourists looking at their phones instead of the actual sunset. ‘Why is that?’
‘Because you’re local,’ Alice said drily. ‘It upsets the ecosystem of the city if you cross paths with the out-of-towners too often.’
‘I crossed paths with you,’ I said.
‘You did,’ she murmured. ‘Kendra?’
‘Yeah?’
‘I’m really glad you let me help you.’
I snorted with laughter. ‘Who said you helped?’
She elbowed me in the ribs.
‘Okay, okay,’ I conceded. ‘I’m really glad I did too.’
Alice leaned her head against mine, and I decided today would mark the start of my new life. I’d taken the most convoluted route to get here, but I felt like I’d finally reached the right destination, and I’d found happiness along the way.
Alice pressed a kiss to my temple.
Yeah. I was exactly where I was supposed to be.