Chapter 12
TWELVE
“Sometimes I hate this job,” I admit to Josh as we enter the NYPD headquarters.
We just finished a call involving potential domestic abuse.
A neighbor had reported screams and loud crashes from the apartment above.
When we checked it out, the husband claimed everything was fine, that it was just the television making noise.
We asked to see the wife, but her English wasn’t great.
Her eyes were red-rimmed as though she’d been crying recently, but she said she was okay.
There was nothing more we could do, even though I had a gut feeling the neighbor was right about what he heard.
Why do they always have to lie? We just want to help.
“Same,” Josh agrees, leading the way through the headquarters’ labyrinth to Sophia’s lab.
I push the door open to find Sophia perched on her desk, with Carolina standing over her shoulder, peering at her computer screen.
“Hello, ladies,” I greet them, pretending to tip an invisible hat in their direction.
A smile spreads across Sophia’s face while Carolina simply gives me a disinterested glance.
“We’re on a break and starving. Fancy a trip to the cafeteria with us?” Josh asks. Sophia rolls her neck, loosening up a bit, then glances at her wristwatch.
“Wow, it’s already five! What do you think, Carolina? Hungry?” she asks.
“No, sorry. I’ve got plans later on,” Carolina says.
“Got a hot date?” I ask, causing her gaze to lock onto mine.
Yet, she offers no answer, simply staring back at me with her signature look of indifference.
Silent treatment is one of my weak spots, and it seems she’s figured that out already.
She saunters over to her desk, and I follow, positioning myself in front of her.
“You can spill the beans, Karen,” I say.
“We could meet later for some tea, and you can fill me in on the details. Share how charming he was or how he gallantly held the door open for you. You know, all the usual chatter you girly girls love to do post-date.”
She turns to face me, and a gash on her temple comes into view.
What the fuck?
Instinctively, I reach out my hand to touch it, but she’s quick. Her hand shoots up, intercepting my wrist before I can reach her. Just as swiftly, she releases her grip and lets go of me again.
“Don’t touch me,” she warns.
“What happened there?” I ask, noting the depth of the cut.
“Oh, look, I found your nose. It was in my business,” Carolina quips as she rummages through her backpack on the desk, packing her belongings.
“It comes with the job,” I reply, not ready to let it go. “Tell me what happened.”
Is she trying to protect someone at her own expense? My mind races with possibilities, and none of them are good.
“It’s just a cut, relax. No need to bring out your hero complex.” She rolls her eyes before slinging her backpack over her shoulder.
I notice a slight wince cross her face when the weight of her bag lands.
Seeing her in pain, I step closer and soften my voice. “You can talk to me. When something’s wrong, or you’re in any trouble. I am here, okay? We all are.”
Her golden gaze locks with mine for a few seconds before she turns her head and asks Sophia, “Is it all right if I head out now when you leave?”
“Sure,” Sophia agrees, rising to her feet. “I’m starving. Let’s go.”
Sophia and Carolina take the lead, with Josh gallantly opening the door for them. As we navigate the corridors, I quicken my pace to fall into step with Carolina. “So, how about you telling me all the details of that fancy date at least?”
“How about no?” she flatly responds.
“Oh, so it is a date?” I tease, raising my eyebrows suggestively.
She merely rolls her eyes. “Sure. A super-hot one. He’s going to chauffeur me around the city in his Lamborghini.”
I can’t help but smirk at her response. “Sounds like a real catch.”
As we approach the hallway to the cafeteria, we pause, but Carolina just continues walking, waving a dismissive hand over her head.
Sophia chuckles. “She is something else. I love her.”
We navigate our way to the cafeteria, each grabbing something to eat before settling in at our regular spot.
“So, how’s it working together? Is she as good of a fit as you thought?” Josh asks his sister just before he dips into his country fries.
I sigh inwardly. I’d tell Josh to include some veggies in his meals, but he never listens. As I start on my cauliflower, I grudgingly admit that his plate looks better.
“Absolutely, she’s got a solid work ethic. For a student, she’s exceptionally ahead. She’s quick on her feet and keeps things tidy. Plus, she’s mostly quiet. I enjoy working with her,” Sophia says.
“Hmm…” I murmur. “So, she doesn’t toss any sarcastic remarks or complaints your way?”
Sophia laughs. “Well, I’m kind to her. Maybe you should give it a try.”
“I am nice to her! But it’s like with Margaret. You’re just the grump whisperer.”
At that, Josh laughs, nearly choking on a fry.
Sophia pats his back, and after he recovers from his coughing fit, she says, “Maybe it’s all about understanding people, you know? Everyone has their own way.”
“Yeah, maybe,” I reply, not entirely convinced. I finish off the last bite of my cauliflower. “Did she tell you what happened? How did she got the cut on her temple?”
“No, and I did not ask. It is not my business.” Sophia says, narrowing her eyes. “And until she comes to you to talk about it, it’s not yours either.”
“Maybe it’s nothing. I think the whole domestic violence case we just had is messing with your head, Clay,” Josh says.
I nod. It’s possible that the case we just left is messing with my judgment, but something about this cut is not sitting right with me. I’ve seen too many cases, too many victims, and I’m almost certain Carolina is hiding something.
If it was nothing, wouldn’t she just have said what happened and not been so elusive? And how can I try to help her without her shutting me out entirely?
“Do you have any plans for your birthday?” Josh asks Sophia, steering the conversation in a new direction.
“It’s still a bit away,” she says.
“True, but if you’re thinking of something big, I’d like to know ahead of time so I can make arrangements,” he pushes.
Sophia chuckles. “You don’t have to worry about organizing anything. We could just have a small house party like we did last year. However, this time, I’d prefer to have it on your side of the house. Your kitchen is bigger, and it got a bit crowded last time, even though there weren’t many people.”
I nod. “Absolutely! We can have the food set up on our side, and we’ll open the doors to the garden so people can walk freely between our halves, and it won’t feel too crowded. If it’s not too cold, we could even hang out in the garden for a while.”
“Oh, it’s definitely going to be cold,” Josh says. “But maybe we could bring out the fire pods again. They kept us warm on New Year’s Eve so we could hang out outside for a bit.”
“Right,” I agree, grinning. “This is going to be good! I’m ready to get a little drunk.”
Sophia chuckles. “Knowing you, you’ll probably eat all the food before making your way upstairs, and then we won’t see you for the rest of the night.”
I shrug. “I know how to party.”
“That looks cozy,” I observe as I place Howie’s belongings, which I’d been carrying, on the bed assigned to him by Gloria.
“Right?” Gloria beams. “It’s a nice bed, and being in the back, it’s much quieter.”
Howie sits on the edge and pushes his hands down into the mattress. “It’s soft.”
“Yes, we got new ones a few months ago. They are very comfortable,” Gloria shares.
An employee approaches us and asks Gloria some questions, so I turn to Howie. “What you wanted to say is that it is too soft, right?”
He nods. “I’m used to concrete.”
I lift the linen and place the cardboard signs he wrote on to beg on the street underneath them, ensuring the entire mattress is covered before putting the linen back in place.
I press my hand on the surface and look at him triumphantly. “Feels like our spot.”
Howie sits back down and lies on the bed, shifting around a bit before sitting back up and giving me a smile.
Gloria finishes her conversation and turns back to us. “Are we happy?”
Howie nods, and I smile at her. “More than happy. Thank you so much.”
And it’s true. Howie finally came to terms with it and accepted he will be staying here, lifting a weight off my shoulders.
“I’ll let you get settled. You know where to find me if you need anything. Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes,” she says before turning and leaving us alone.
“It seems like our burger dates will have to wait until spring, but it’s good to know that you’ll be getting more balanced meals now,” I say.
“Don’t you dare talk down on what you do for me daily, kid.
I’m not sure I would still be here if it weren’t for you,” he says, his piercing blue eyes meeting mine as he reaches for my hand and gives it a pat.
“You know where to find me when you need me,” he continues.
“Or when you just want to talk. Don’t be a stranger for the next couple of months. ”
“Believe me, I’ll be here so many times you’ll wish you could get a break from me.” I smile.
But he doesn’t laugh. “Never.”
My heart aches a little. I will definitely visit him, but I can’t just barge in here in the middle of the night. If I find a new job, the opportunities to see him will be even less.
“See you around, Howie. Behave,” I tease, taking a step back.
He lies down on the bed but points a finger in the air. “Adult. See you around, kid.”
As I walk out of the shelter, I observe the people around me, noticing that many have a vacant look in their eyes—a look I recognize all too well from my own reflection. I can’t help but think back to the early days after my parents passed away.