4. Delaney
CHAPTER 4
DELANEY
“Can you move the logo to the lower right corner and enlarge it?”
I hover the cursor over the image before dragging it down to the corner where Mr. Barker asked me to move it. Then I click on the corner of the picture and increase the size without compromising everything else on the page.
“How does that look?” I ask while he looks it over.
One good thing about being a freelance graphic designer is that I can work from anywhere and on any project I want. And the best part is that, with the technology available today, I’m able to share with my clients what I’m doing in real-time and then offer suggestions instead of relentlessly emailing back and forth.
Currently, I’m working on designing a new website for a small bookstore owner by sharing my computer screen with him while we’re on opposite sides of the country.
Mr. Barker rubs his chin as he takes in the recent change on his screen. “Something feels off. What do you think?”
I stare at the website page we’ve been working on for the past week. “Give me a minute.” I move some things around to make the design less one-dimensional and angle the logo.
“That’s it!” Mr. Barker yells. “I don’t know how you do it, Delaney, but that’s my vision.”
“Glad I can help.” I save the new file and make the website active. “I double-checked all the links before we hopped on our call, and they’re all working, but if you want to test them out while I’m still on, go for it.”
He nods. “I gave your contact information to a couple of friends of mine who are looking to do some advertising and breathe some new life into their businesses,” he says as he starts clicking around on his computer.
I smile. “I appreciate that.”
“Hey, De!” Mrs. Barker waves as she steps into Mr. Barker’s office. “Are you ever going to come and visit us in our little corner of the world?”
“Hopefully one day.” I wink, and I mean it. “Best thing about my job is that I can take it anywhere, and I’d love to come to Seattle at some point. You better believe if I do, I’ll be stopping by your bookstore.”
Mr. Barker wags his finger at me. “You better, young lady. We’d be honored if you’d stop by.”
“Promise.” My phone vibrates next to me. Glancing down, I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “If you need anything else or something isn’t working right, let me know. I hate to run, but I have another engagement I need to get to.”
“Of course.” Mr. Barker nods. “Thank you again. We’ll be in touch.”
I end the video call and put my laptop into my backpack, along with everything else I’ll need for work for the next couple of weeks. After researching the homicide in Georgia, I decided it’s time to take another trip.
After Daphne was murdered and I was able to function again, I buckled down, finished my last semester of school, and started following any leads I could to track down her killer. Having a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and a minor in computer science helps. It gives me the freedom to come and go without causing my parents to worry. They knew it was our dream to travel once we finished school, so to them, I’m simply fulfilling a promise my twin and I made to each other.
After tossing my toiletries into a bag, I change into a pair of jeans, pull a t-shirt over my head , and throw everything into my car. I promised my parents I’d have dinner with them before leaving town tonight since I haven’t been over to the house in a couple of weeks.
The drive to their house is short, and Dad tugs me into his arms as soon as I open the car door. “How ya doing, honey?”
“I’m good.” I stand on my toes and kiss his cheek. “What’s for dinner?”
“Your mom made your favorite.”
“Pot roast and potatoes?”
“And peach cobbler.”
“Let’s go, old man. I’m starving.”
Dad tucks my hand into his elbow and leads me into his house. When we enter the kitchen, Mom’s whipping the mashed potatoes. I close my eyes and let the savory aroma invade my senses.
“Hi, sweetheart,” Mom greets.
“Hey, Mom.” I walk around the island and grab her around the waist. “Need any help?”
“Set the table?”
“Sure. Drinks?”
“I made sweet tea.”
“You’re the best.”
Mom winks. “I know.”
Ten minutes later, she passes the pot roast around the dinner table, and we all dig in.
Dad lasts a whole two minutes before he starts his interrogation. “So, whatcha been up to?”
I roll my eyes. “Working. I just finished a website for a bookstore out west. I’ve got a few more projects to finish up.” I take a deep breath, knowing what I say next isn’t going to bode well. “I’m heading to Georgia after dinner for a week.” My body tenses as I wait. I don’t have to wait long.
Dad’s fork stops halfway to his mouth, and his lips set in a firm line. “You’re going to Georgia?”
“Yep,” I say, popping the ‘p’.
“What’s in Georgia?” Mom asks.
I smirk. “Atlanta.”
“Funny,” Dad deadpans and drops his fork. “When are you gonna stop?—”
“Stop what?”
“Damn it, Delaney!” Dad shouts. “When are you gonna stop running away from the pain? You’re not the only one who lost Daphne.”
“Nate, enough!” Mom slams her hands on the table.
“I’m not running,” I mutter. “Me and Daph were always going to travel. This is me, honoring her memory.”
“We know, honey.” Mom narrows her eyes at Dad. “We worry about you. You’re all we have left, and we don’t want to lose you too.”
Dad clears his throat. “I’m sorry, De.”
“It’s okay.”
“You still have your pepper spray?” he asks.
I grin. “Never leave home without it.”
And a bunch of other stuff I won’t be mentioning.
I’ve never told them about training at the gym. I don’t know why I kept it a secret, but I never felt compelled to share. Fuck, if they knew the real reason I’m heading to Georgia, they’d have me committed.
Dinner is stagnant after that, but Mom tries to keep the conversation going. I know they both worry, and I hate that I can’t reassure him, but I never know what I’ll be walking into. Until the asshole is caught or killed, I can’t and won’t rest.
After dessert, I help Mom clean up the dishes. “How’s the kickboxing going?”
“Krav Maga,” I mumble, and then it hits me. “Fuck, how did you know?”
“Language,” she admonishes. “I saw you go into TJ’s a couple of weeks ago and watched you through the window. Gotta say, I’m pretty proud of the way you knocked those men around.”
“You didn’t tell dad, did you?”
“No, but why hide it?”
I shrug. “I’m not hiding it per se.” Mom raises her brow. “I’m not. It helps me relieve stress.”
“I’m proud of you.” She pulls me to her chest. “We both are. He’s worried about you. He doesn’t want to lose you too.”
“I know.” I squeeze her back.
“It does make me feel better knowing you can protect yourself when you go on these trips of yours. Though I do wish you would tell your father and set his mind at ease.”
“Please, if anything, he’d be even more worried thinking my smart mouth was looking for a fight.”
Mom laughs. “You’re probably right.”
“I better get going if I want to put some miles behind me before it gets too late.”
“Nate!” Mom hollers. “De is heading out.”
Dad’s heavy steps thump on the staircase. “I’m coming.”
Mom kisses my cheek. “Text me when you stop, and check in daily. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Dad follows me to the car and traps me in a bone-crushing hug. “I’m sorry about earlier. I worry.”
“I know, Dad,” I wheeze.
“Oops,” he says, releasing me. “Here.” Dad thrusts a taser into my hand.
“Um… thanks.”
“It’ll make me feel better knowing you have something for protection.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“You call and text us daily.”
“I will.”
“Promise?”
“Well, maybe not daily, but I will check in and let you know where I am.”
“Be careful.”
I nod before sliding into the driver’s seat and wave to my parents as they watch me leave. Now, I have to clear my head and come up with a game plan. I hate lying to them, but there’s no other way.
I’m coming for you, asshole.