42. Reed
My family is happy, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted.
Cade still doesn’t seem quite himself, and Darius still hasn’t played a note, but considering everything we’ve gone through, I’m trying to focus on the positive.
They’re both much happier since Laney has been here, as have I.
The short-term lease on the house will be up soon, and I have to speak to them all so we can figure out what we’re going to do next. Do they want to stay in Los Angeles? The world is literally our oyster. We can go wherever we want.
I keep my ear to the ground about how the investigation into the crash is going. The more time that passes, the safer we are. I know the fear of Smith and his men hasn’t gone away completely, but I’ve taken steps to make sure my family is safe.
I’ve arranged to have additional security cameras placed around the property, but since it’s a rental, I can’t have anything that’s wired in. All it’ll take is for our Wi-Fi to go down, and the place will be unprotected.
My cell phone rings. The number on screen isn’t one I recognize, but I answer it anyway.
It might be someone inquiring about Darius and whether or not he’s playing for the public again.
While obviously the answer to that question will be no, currently, things might not always be this way.
I want to keep the lines open in case he decides to return to work.
“Reed Riviera,” I answer.
“Mr. Riviera,” a voice says on the end of the line. I vaguely recognize it but can’t quite place it. “It’s Sergeant Moore.”
I still can’t quite put a face to the name, and he seems to sense this.
“We met in Ottawa shortly after you were rescued.”
Recognition dawns. “Yes, of course. I remember now. What can I do for you, Sergeant?”
I listen to what the detective has to say, while barely hearing a word.
“Are you sure?” I ask.
My ears are suddenly full of bees, and a gaping void has opened up inside my chest. All I can think is, ‘How am I going to tell Laney?’