Chapter 11 #2
Kit went to knock. I motioned for him to wait, listening first, but a baby started crying from another apartment and cut off any sounds I might have been able to hear.
With a shrug, I tilted my head and Kit rapped politely.
We waited a few moments, and when nothing happened, he tried again.
Still nothing. My turn. I stepped up and banged on the door.
“Lester Tomlin, if you’re in there, it’s in your best interest to open up,” I shouted. “We just want to talk.”
The neighbour’s door banged open, and an angry little man with pinched features and thinning hair appeared. “He ain’t there! Tomlin fucked off days ago. And before you ask, no, I don’t know where to. Now quit your fucking banging, and get the hell out of my building!”
“Sorry to dist—”
“Get out!”
So much for talking to Tomlin.
We were safely back in the car before Kit let loose with the curses. A whole string of them almost too fast for me to catch.
“Can tell you’ve been hanging around soldiers,” I mumbled, amused even though I was as frustrated as he was.
Kit snorted and buried his face in his hands, digging his palms into his eyelids.
“I keep getting my hopes up. That this time we’ll find out what’s happening.
That this time we’ll find them. Gus…” He looked up at me, fresh pain brimming in his eyes.
My heart lodged in my throat, throbbing in sympathy.
“I just want my brother back. I want to meet my sister-in-law. I want them to have babies in that house, raised with the kind of love we deserved. That’s what was supposed to happen.
Not this. I can’t…” His voice cracked. “I can’t. ”
Which part of that did I address? I always wished like hell I was better at this bit, helping grieving and lost people. Kit would be so much better equipped for this than me.
“I know,” I managed to get out through gritty vocal cords. “I’ll do anything in my power to make that happen. To bring them home safe.”
Kit’s gaze softened, his mouth pulling up into a sad smile as he relaxed back into the seat. “I know.” His voice trembled slightly, like he wanted to believe me, but he couldn’t quite get there, not all the way.
Not after everything we’d put each other through.
The drive back to Ted’s was silent, filled with too many memories, too much weight. I wanted things to be easier between us, but they never would be again. Wishes never came true, so what was the point in wishing away the hurt built up like rusty barbed wire between us.
As I slowed past Mum’s, I sighed.
“What now?” Kit asked, his gaze fixed on Ted’s house like somehow the bones of the old place held the answer to his question. Too bad it couldn’t talk about the things it’d seen.
“I should have everything for the spell soon. Hopefully that’ll give us their location. And if it doesn’t, I’m waiting to hear back on a lead, but don’t go getting excited. I’ll tell you about it if it pans out.”
Kit looked from the house to my face, probably deciding if he had the energy left to interrogate me. Must not have, because he gave a faint nod. “I’ve got some work to catch up on, that’ll keep me busy for a little while. But don’t take too long, Gus. I’m going nuts here.”
“Seems like you’re holding up okay to me,” I said, drumming my fingers on the seat between us. “I seen folks fall apart when their loved ones are missing. And there’s nothing wrong with that either, if that’s what you hafta do.”
Kit’s green eyes went wide and a little watery like I was giving him permission to let it all out.
But before he got any further, he blinked away the wetness and opened the door.
Once he was standing, he bent back down to look in at me, one arm along the top of the door.
“Thanks. For taking the case… and…” He swallowed and dipped his head.
“Don’t. I don’t need your thanks for doing the right thing.
” Hurt flashed across Kit’s face and I wanted to punch my own.
Jesus, couldn’t I take a little gratitude without making it into a weapon?
“Listen, Mum wanted to invite you for dinner tomorrow. She asked if we could both come.” His expression shifted with conflicting emotions.
Time to hold out an olive branch. “I want you there too.”
Kit bit his lip, pink flesh turning white beneath the pressure as he gently shook his head. “I can’t. I’ve got this—Montgomery Herbert invited me to the Capitol Theatre tomorrow night. For work. No wasn’t an option.”
I’d seen Herbert around town. I kept my face neutral as images of his dazzling white smile and smarmy good looks flashed behind my eyes. Something vicious burned in my gut, but I shrugged it off. “Okay, another time then.”
Kit’s gaze lingered on my face a little longer, and it felt like he could see right into the part of me that was twisting up with jealousy. “Yeah. Let me know as soon as you hear from your contact?”
“You got it.” I forced a crooked smile, hoping it painted the picture I was fine.
With one last tight upward twitch of his lips for me, Kit shut the door and walked away, taking the sunshine with him. Literally. He’d just gone inside when the heavens opened and let loose the rain they’d been threatening to drop on and off all afternoon.
“Seems about damn right,” I muttered.