Chapter 32
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
The front door swung open to reveal the man behind the pretentious facade. Even on a Saturday, he was dressed in business slacks and a polo, and expensive leather loafers adorned his feet. For just a moment, she cataloged the differences between him and Luke.
Andrew was worried constantly about his image. He’d come from nothing, and he worked every day to make more money, be more successful, putting more time and distance between the boy he’d been and the man he’d become.
Luke was comfortable in his own skin. He didn’t care what people thought, and he forged his own way through life.
Andrew bowed to everyone, adapting to fit whatever image someone wanted him to project.
She doubted he really even knew who his real self was anymore.
It was rather ironic, given his line of work.
“Hannah, what a lovely surprise.” Andrew stepped backward with a smile and held the door open in welcome.
Her heart hammered against her ribcage as she crossed the threshold. “Thanks. How is everything?”
“Busy as ever.” He closed the door, and she fell into step as he strode toward the formal living area. Settling into a plush leather chair, he motioned for her to do the same. “I was actually just reviewing some files from this week. How are you holding up?”
She fidgeted in her seat. “Oh, I’m fine. Not really ready to face going back to my house yet, you know.”
He threw a sympathetic look her way. “I understand. It’s difficult to feel secure again when something like that happens. But you have an amazing support group, Hannah, people who care about you. You know I’d do anything for you.”
She did, indeed, and that was precisely the reason for her visit today. Luke was right—Andrew overstepped his bounds on a regular basis, always trying to tell her what was best. As a doctor, she knew that Andrew was qualified to guide her. But he didn’t know every aspect of her life.
She wasn’t going to risk a good thing with Luke because Andrew wanted her all to himself. She knew things between them would never progress. She was going to have to let him down easy… Just as soon as she worked up the courage.
“Has Mr. Iverson made an appointment with you yet?”
“Unfortunately, no, I haven’t heard from him.” Andrew shook his head and she sighed.
“I really wish he would. I truly think he exhibits some signs of sociopathic behavior. The things he said about Rachel…” She shuddered. “I don’t trust him.”
Andrew nodded gravely. “Have you told the police of your suspicions?”
“Yeah, and I know they’re looking into it.
” She rubbed her temples. “I’m just ready for this to be over.
I want justice for Monique and Audrey. And Selah, if it really is the same person.
I want to be able to go to and from work without having to look over my shoulder.
I want to sleep in my own bed without worrying about every creak and groan in the house, thinking he’s come back to finish me off. ”
Tears slipped down her cheeks before she could stop them. She felt Andrew’s arm come around her shoulders as he moved beside her, and she leaned in for a moment, soaking up the comfort he offered. Andrew was a good friend, but it just wasn’t the same feeling as when she was with Luke.
She pulled out of his embrace and glanced up with a tremulous smile. “Thank you. I’m okay now, it’s just been a little chaotic.”
“I understand completely.” He returned to his chair and crossed an ankle over his knee. “These last couple of weeks would push anyone to the edge.”
She smiled and stared at the carpet, debating when to drop the bomb. Thankfully, he continued. “Hopefully the police have a good lead and they’ll get it figured out quickly. Are they investigating Mr. Iverson, I hope?”
“I would assume so since he’s the only one who makes sense, but I’m not sure.”
Andrew nodded. “It’s definitely someone who wants your attention. He called you out specifically at the murder scene. But why?”
That was the million-dollar question, wasn’t it? “This all seems to be a cry for attention, but I’m not sure why. If it is Steve, maybe it’s an obsession. He’s asked me out several times, but I’ve always turned him down because he was a patient.”
Andrew’s eyes darkened for a moment. “Would you have gone out with him otherwise?”
She shook her head. “No, I even told him that the day I ran into him at the mall. I have no feelings for him. He seemed disappointed, but I don’t know if he’s the one responsible.
I would like to say yes, but… I just don’t know.
He was my patient for months and I never really got that impression from him. ”
“You know as well as I do that people can harbor deeply rooted feelings of possession or resentment. Maybe he bided his time until he thought he could win you over.”
“Perhaps. But then why hurt Audrey?”
Andrew puzzled over that for a moment. “Maybe she was in the way somehow?”
“We were supposed to go out that night,” she admitted.
“That’s as good a reason as any. Separate the two of you, eliminate Audrey so he had you all to himself.”
“I just… Something doesn’t fit.” She bit her lip. “It just doesn’t feel right.”
Andrew offered a small smile. “Well, let the police do their jobs and investigate. I’m sure they’ll turn something up. Maybe all of the evidence will point to Steve Iverson.”
“Maybe.” But like she’d told Andrew, she seriously doubted it. There was something she was missing—something big. She could feel it.
“I know you’ve said no in the past, but I’m really hoping you’ll reconsider this time.” Her heart dropped as Andrew glanced away, an uneasy expression on his face. “You’re more than welcome to stay here for as long as you need until they catch this guy. You’ll be safe with me.”
“Listen, Andrew, I really appreciate everything you’ve done. You’ve been a great friend, but…” She took a deep breath. “I think we need to keep our relationship professional from now on.”
Confusion creased his features. “Have I done something to upset you?”
Her heart constricted at his dejected tone. In a lot of ways, Andrew was like a puppy, sweet and eager for approval. Despite his loyalty, he was beginning to interfere in her personal life and she cared too much for Luke to lose him now.
“You’ve given me some really great advice over the years, and I probably never would’ve confronted my fears without you.
It was your idea for me to get out and date again, and I’m incredibly thankful to have a good friend like you.
But I’m seeing Luke now and I need to focus on my relationship with him. ”
“And he views me as a threat?”
She nodded. “He does. He’s worried about another man—you, specifically—trying to sway my opinion.”
Andrew threw a pitying glance her way. “Oh, Hannah, I’m so sorry.”
“Maybe you’ll meet a woman and we can double date.” She offered him a smile.
“I’d enjoy that. I just hope you know what you’re getting into.”
“I know you worry about me, but Luke is really amazing. He even gave me this.” Andrew’s eyes widened as she pulled the locket out from where it lay concealed beneath her shirt.
“Remember my friend who was killed back in high school? Selah? We had matching necklaces. Mine was broken, but he had it fixed up for me and put our pictures inside.”
Luke had surprised her with the gift yesterday and the unexpected gesture had brought tears to her eyes. She’d been reluctant to hand it over to Detective Sanchez last weekend, afraid to part with the last remaining tie to Selah, even for a short period of time.
After it had been released from evidence, Luke had apparently taken it to a jeweler to be fixed.
She had no idea how he’d come across their pictures, but it was as if they’d been taken yesterday.
Selah and she smiled at each other from opposite sides of the locket, frozen in time.
Last night she’d thanked him for the wonderful gift—twice.
She smiled at the thought as she tucked the necklace safely away next to her heart. She met Andrew’s unhappy expression, steeling herself for his words.
“Well, that’s… interesting,” he remarked.
“It was a lovely gesture,” she said defensively. “He knew how much it meant to me.”
“Exactly. And now he’s taken something important from your past and made it all about him.”
“That’s not—”
“I’ve seen a lot of women in your shoes, Hannah.
They change who they are for a man—a man who controls them and manipulates them to their advantage.
This is how it starts, Hannah, you know that.
First, you’re alienated from your friends and family.
He’ll feed you empty promises, anything to get you to stay. ”
“Luke’s not like that.” She shook her head. “He’s sweet and caring and...”
He leaned forward and took her hands in his own. “It’s a hero complex, Hannah. With everything that’s happened recently, you’ve developed an attachment to the man. I understand—”
“That’s not true.”
His eyes flashed as she yanked her hands away. “How well do you really know him? What if he’s preying on you because you’re too inexperienced to know better?”
“You’re only saying that because you’re jealous,” she shot back. “We’re friends, Andrew. At least, I thought we were. If you cared about me at all, you’d support me in this.”
Andrew sat back in the chair and steepled his fingers. Finally, he gave a little shake of his head. “I’m sorry. I can’t.”
“I need to go.” Tears blurred her vision as she popped up from her seat. He would clearly never see her side of things.
Seething with a combination of anger and sadness, she stormed from the house and climbed into her car.
She’d never been in love before, but she felt something for Luke.
Whether it was lust or something more, she couldn’t quite be sure.
When she was with Luke, she felt as if every nerve ending was on fire.
She was terrified to admit that she might actually be falling for him.
She’d protected her heart for so long, hiding from reminders of her past. But Luke was different.
It was amazing how well he understood her.
He knew of her history, yet he didn’t pity her.
Instead, he’d taken the bad memories and replaced them with something good.
He’d shown her how to trust again, how to rely on someone other than herself.
Since their relationship had become physical, it had added a new dimension, a new depth.
But that in itself raised the question, was he there for more than just the sex?
Now that he’d gotten what he wanted, would he leave?
Or worse, would he do as Andrew said and use that to control her?
She didn’t think he would stoop to using her emotions against her, but then again, she’d never felt this way about anyone before.
It worried her. Maybe it was too much, too soon.
She shook her head to clear the thought away. No, Luke had said he cared about her, and he would never lie about that...
Right?