Chapter 14 #2
Cora didn’t think she’d be able to do this at all if it wasn’t for the man at her side.
She’d do anything for her friend, but this was actually kind of scary, especially after learning more about Ridge.
If she hadn’t known anything, she probably would’ve marched up to his door with her usual bravado, but now that she knew he was lying his ass off for some unknown reason, and not knowing if Lara was even still alive, she was kind of freaking out.
Before she was ready, they reached the front door. She turned to look at Pipe and saw his head was on a swivel. He was on the lookout for…what? Danger? Bad guys jumping out from behind a cactus with a knife? She had no idea, but again, she was glad he was there.
Without hesitation, he reached for the door knocker and slammed it down a couple of times. The loud bang it made each time it hit the metal plate made Cora flinch. Her hands felt sweaty, but she held onto Pipe for dear life.
It took a couple of minutes, and Pipe even knocked again, before they finally heard someone on the other side of the door. Cora couldn’t help but wonder if it had taken so long because Ridge was trying to hide Lara. Or threaten her. Or something else equally scary.
When the door opened, it wasn’t Ridge on the other side. It was a man probably around Cora’s age. He was a little taller than Pipe and extremely muscular. He immediately intimidated her.
“Whatever you’re selling, we don’t want,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest.
His attitude irritated Cora, making her find her backbone. She straightened her shoulders and met his glare with one of her own. “Good for you, but we aren’t selling anything. My name is Cora Rooney, and I’m here to see Lara Osler.”
“She isn’t seeing visitors,” the man replied without hesitation.
“She’ll see me,” Cora told him, lifting her chin stubbornly.
“No, I mean she’s not well enough to see anyone.”
Cora’s stomach flip-flopped. “What’s wrong with her?”
“I’m not going to disclose the lady of the house’s issues with a stranger who shows up on our doorstep,” the man sneered.
“Look, I’m her best friend. I know everything there is to know about Lara.
I know she gets cramps really bad when she has her period and nothing but a heating pad and Advil will help her.
She hates seafood, and she has to pick those little mushroom pieces that you can’t even taste out of any dish made with cream of mushroom soup.
Trust me, I’m no stranger. I’ve known her since we were fifteen years old, and I’ve come all the way from Washington, DC to see her and make sure she’s all right. ”
“She’s fine,” the man said, not persuaded in the least by Cora’s statement.
“I’d like to see that for myself,” she argued.
The man didn’t budge. “Sorry, no,” he told her, not sounding sorry in the least.
“It would be a shame to have to involve the authorities in this matter,” Pipe said. “All she wants is to see her best friend, make sure she’s all right. She hasn’t heard from her in a while, and Lara left DC very suddenly. You let us in, let Cora see Lara, and we’re out of your hair.”
Creepy Guy’s gaze swung to Pipe, and it made Cora’s skin crawl when he studied him from head to foot before narrowing his eyes. “Ms. Lara isn’t feeling well. I’m sure she’ll be happy to know you came by to see her. I’ll tell her to text you later.”
“No!” Cora practically shouted. Her heart was beating a million miles an hour. Something was very wrong, she felt it in her gut. She thought something was wrong before, but now she was convinced.
The man’s arms uncrossed and his legs shifted so he was more secure on his feet. Ready for some sort of…what? Cora didn’t know. Confrontation? Did he think she was going to jump him?
But the man’s eyes weren’t on her—they were on Pipe.
She glanced over and realized why the man’s stance had changed. Pipe’s outward appearance could be intimidating to some people, Cora was aware of that, though she’d never been scared of him. Not once.
But right this moment? If she was the recipient of the look he was giving Creepy Guy, she’d be the one pooping her pants.
His jaw was ticking, his eyes narrowed, and the hand that wasn’t holding hers was in a fist at his side.
His muscles were tense, as if he was one second away from losing his shit on this guy.
Which probably wasn’t a wrong assessment.
“Tell Michaels we’ll be back,” Pipe said in a tone that seemed like it was an octave lower than his usual voice.
“Right, sure,” Creepy Guy said.
“Please tell Lara that I was here,” Cora rushed to say. She had no illusions that anyone would tell her best friend that help was on the way, but she could hope. “Tell her that Jenny Thompson sends her best wishes too, and that I’ll see her soon.”
As far as clues went, it was lame, especially because she felt there was less than a two percent chance this jerk would pass along any messages to Lara…if she was still alive to get them.
Jenny Thompson was a girl who used to pick on Cora in high school.
She was nothing but a bully who’d loved to torment her by making fun of the fact she was a foster kid and no one wanted her.
One day, Lara got sick of the taunts by the other girl and got right up in her face—saying it was better to be a foster kid with no family than have a murderer for a father.
It was harsh and cruel, but it had the desired effect. Apparently, it wasn’t common knowledge that Jenny’s dad had been found guilty of first-degree homicide and was doing life in prison. Jenny had left Cora alone after that, then had switched schools not too much later.
Cora wanted to remind Lara that she had her back. That no matter what, she wasn’t going to give up on her.
Creepy Guy didn’t respond to her request, just continued to stare at them both.
“And let Michaels know that maybe I’ll see him at the Blue Moon later. I’ve heard it’s the best around,” Pipe added, before taking a step back.
Cora followed, not that she had a choice, since his fingers were like a vise around hers.
Creepy Guy narrowed his eyes, his own jaw ticking now, before turning and shutting the door in their faces.
“Bloody hell,” Pipe muttered, before hustling her off the front porch and back down the driveway.
“I’m guessing that gate we went through is gonna be locked from here on out,” Cora said in a daze.
“Probably,” he agreed.
They arrived back at the Jeep and climbed into the back seat.
“Well?” Stone asked impatiently. “I take it you didn’t see her?”
“No, we didn’t. And if the gorilla that met us at the door is any indication, things aren’t good,” Pipe said.
“Any sign of Lara at all?” Owl asked.
“No,” Cora said, her shoulders slumping.
“Next up…Blue Moon,” Pipe said.
“You think he’ll be there after you made it clear you know Ridge frequents the place?” Cora asked.
“No. But I do want to talk to people. See if he’s got a specific stripper he’s been spending money on.”
“I still want to know about that chopper,” Owl said under his breath.
“Gotta be his father’s. Though it would make sense for Ridge to use it if he doesn’t want anyone to know he’s got money issues. Flying around in that thing would portray a certain image,” Stone said with a shrug.
The men continued to speak, but Cora tuned them out.
She felt incredibly disappointed. She’d truly thought that maybe, just maybe, she’d get to see Lara today.
That they’d knock on the door and Ridge would take one look at Pipe and let her talk to her friend.
But to be blocked as firmly as they’d been, to not even know if Lara was, God forbid, alive or not…
it was a blow she was struggling to absorb.
“Hotel,” Pipe said abruptly, jerking Cora out of the fog she’d been in.
“Right,” Stone said, turning the key in the ignition and pulling away from the curb.
Cora’s eyes stayed glued on Ridge’s house as they drove past. It sucked to be so close, and yet just as far as she’d ever been to finding out what was going on with her friend.
Pipe squeezed her hand again. He’d only let go long enough for them both to get into the car, and she was grateful for his silent support.
She also appreciated that he didn’t give her platitudes about how he was sure Lara was fine. They both knew that likely wasn’t the case…not with the way that man so firmly refused to let them in the house.
Cora turned to look out at the passing landscape. Tears filled her eyes, and the scenery blurred as she struggled to keep her composure. She couldn’t lose Lara. She just couldn’t.
Feeling as alone as she’d ever felt growing up, Cora desperately tried not to start bawling.
Then she felt Pipe lean toward her. She didn’t turn to look at him because she didn’t want him to see her tears. “I give you my word, love, that we’re going to help her.”
Cora closed her eyes. He was close enough to her that his breath warmed her neck as he spoke directly into her ear.
She nodded but didn’t turn. She couldn’t imagine a world without Lara.
She was her rock. Her anchor. She was quiet, kind, dependable, and a perfect balance to Cora’s brashness and tendency to act before thinking. Without her, Cora would be lost.
She had to be all right. She simply had to be.