Chapter 16 #2
“Thank you, everyone.” It was a woman talking, but where was she? “If I could have your attention, we’ll try and get through this as quickly as possible.”
Eliana craned her neck, though it wasn’t far to see over people’s heads to the far corner of the room. A podium had been set up and cameras flashed while an older woman with gray hair in a tight bob with heavy bangs leaned into the mic.
“We appreciate your patience waiting on news of your loved ones. As we anticipate you’ll have questions about recompense in the aftermath of the attacks, our colleague here represents a local law firm specializing in community action and victim assistance.
She’ll be able to advise you all on next steps after you leave here. Hopefully tonight.”
Seemed a bit early to be talking about lawyers and compensation, which made Eliana wonder if it wasn’t a giant distraction from the fact that none of these people were going to be happy.
She wouldn’t be either, crowded in a hospital lobby waiting to know if her loved one was all right.
That was bad enough. So she hoped the administrator up there behind the podium wasn’t about to give them more bad news.
People crowded around as the spokesperson answered some questions about the compound inside the canisters, which was still being tested. Someone asked how long it would take the city to pay out for people’s pain and suffering.
The woman who stepped up to the podium next wasn’t more than ten years older than Eliana. Her dark-brown hair was pulled back behind her head, and she wore a dress with a suit jacket over it. A simple gold chain.
Eliana couldn’t make out much more than that from this distance, but something drew her to the woman.
She almost seemed familiar. Where had Eliana seen her before?
She’d never met this woman. How could she have had occasion to?
She didn’t even hear what the woman said, since she didn’t talk into the mic and Eliana wasn’t close enough to the front.
She worked her way around the edge of the crowd and saw the woman pick up a navy coat from a chair and slip it on. Something about the collar, and buttons, and the tie around her waist pricked a memory, or something else, and Eliana stared at the woman.
I know you.
But in this epically crowded lobby, how was she supposed to get over there to even ask her how they knew each other?
Her phone buzzed in her hand. She saw a text from Carlos scroll across the tiny screen on the front.
Just stepped off the elevator.
Eliana looked again, but the woman was gone.
She worked her way back to the entrance doors and spotted Carlos cross the lobby on the other side, making his way to her.
When he came near, it just seemed so natural to hug him.
This guy she’d grown up with. He pulled her in tight, as if he needed the reassurance.
Which seemed strange to her. Why would this big, strong guy she’d known forever need a hug?
Whatever the reason, her eyes burned with unshed tears again and she held on.
Probably longer than she should have. Finally giving him another squeeze before she pulled back.
“You all right?” He searched her face.
Eliana didn’t know where to start with all of it.
He nodded. “Pizza. Then we talk.”
She managed to smile and turned with him to the door, where they headed outside. “Are you all right?”
“I will be,” he said. “Your place? I don’t feel like being on my own.”
She eyed him, wondering how he was saying exactly what she was feeling. “So you think you’re gonna sleep over?”
“You have a couch.” He shrugged. “And you brought my duffel, didn’t you?”
“It smells. You probably need to wash what’s in there.” There was so much she wanted to tell him, but talking about nonsense was oddly reassuring.
“We could do a load of laundry at your place.” He slung an arm around her shoulders.
Eliana rolled her eyes, trying not to wince at her bruises. “You’re ridiculous.”
“It would be less ridiculous if you just moved out of your place and lived in my guest room. You could help me with the payment.”
“Absolutely not. You’re nuts.” It hurt a little to say it.
Not because she wanted to be his roommate, but because of what it represented that he’d said that. He only considered her a friend—or a sister.
He didn’t think it would cross a line for her to live in his house. Because for him it wouldn’t. Carlos didn’t think of her in those terms.
She climbed into the passenger side of his truck, not wanting to be distracted by the feelings she’d had for him ages ago. Or the terrible way it had ended.
He pulled out of the parking lot and drove them to her building.
“If I moved, who would check on Patience and make sure she’s all right?” she asked.
Carlos shrugged, his hand gripping the wheel, showing her the strength in his arm that she did not need to notice. “Maybe she’s the one who should move in with me.”
Eliana rolled her eyes, but that actually wasn’t such a bad idea. “Is there room for all three of us?”
Carlos cleared his throat. “Let’s forget this whole conversation. I’ve come to my senses.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I’m glad I found enough of a filter to not respond to that.
” Carlos shook his head, and she smiled.
He continued, “The compound is wearing off, finally. I’ve been saying exactly what I think for hours.
It’s been interesting to say the least. I think I gave a couple of the nurses my number. Or Halstood’s.”
At her building, she grabbed her mail and had him hold Patience’s while she closed both boxes.
“Thanks.” She held out her hand for the bundle of mail.
“I’ve got it.” He climbed the stairs beside Eliana. “There isn’t an elevator?”
“There is. I like walking. It’s part of the ritual of getting home and trudging up the stairs.
Knowing, I’m close. I did it. I finished my day, and now I get to relax.
” She remembered Maizie’s call—and then seeing that woman she sort of recognized.
“You need to call Maizie back. I’ll order a pizza. ”
“Sounds good.”
A thud came from above them.
Eliana picked up her pace, and noted Carlos did the same. In her mind she prayed nothing had happened to Patience, even though part of her had been expecting it for a while now.
Almost to her floor, she heard a scream.
“The Dreamers.” Carlos handed her the mail without looking. “Go in Patience’s apartment and lock the door.”
“I’m not leaving you to deal with whatever this is by yourself.” She wanted to curl up on the floor and start crying. Today had been the longest day ever and she was beyond exhausted.
He slid a pistol from the holster at the small of his back.
“I lost my knife today.” She wanted it back. Tony would have to get it for her.
Carlos tipped his head. “Go in Patience’s apartment.”
She didn’t love his hard tone when he said that, but before she could argue that he was the one who’d been dosed with a compound today and she was fully capable of backing him up, the door to the Dreamers’ apartment flung open and hit the wall.
A woman dashed out, wearing only underwear. Blood on her hands and face and a crazed look in her expression.
Carlos said, “Ma’am.”
The woman spotted the two of them and pulled up short. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and she just kind of crumpled to the floor in a heap.
Carlos trained his weapon. “I need to go in there. You grab her a blanket and check on Patience.” He turned to her. “Eliana—”
“Got it,” she cut him off, then nodded. “I’m going.”
Nothing in the world would make her want to go inside their apartment. Not when she had no idea what Carlos was going to find. Even after the day he’d had, he still went into the apartment to find out what the source of all that blood might be.
Which was what separated her from the heroes.
She just wanted to crawl under the covers and cry until she fell asleep.
Eliana headed up one floor and found Patience’s door was ajar.
“Patience?” She eased it open, her heart pounding so loud she could hear her pulse in her ears. “Patience, I have your mail.”