Page 45

“I already said I didn’t,” she answered too quickly.
Fuck, she just lied again.
I sat up and turned so my back was to her. “Rock said they’re done over at your apartment. You can go back whenever you’re ready.”
13
ALI
Cope stood and walked out of the room; he knew I was lying. Although it was more complicated than the question he’d asked me.
Earlier, while his mother made my lunch, I received an email from Jessica, saying Money wanted to meet. With Cope or his mother watching me every minute of the day and night, I had no idea how I was going to manage getting away.
I eased off the bed, wheeled my suitcase out, but didn’t see Cope anywhere. The apartment wasn’t that big and the bathroom door was open, so I knew he wasn’t in there. As odd as it was, I could only assume he’d left. I tore a piece of paper from the pad near the refrigerator and started to write him a note.
What would I say? Hey, thanks for everything. You know, staying with me in the hospital, bringing me into your home, caring for me.
I eased myself onto the stool by the bar and opened my laptop. I’d wait to leave until Cope came back, so I could thank him in person.
Three hours later, I eased back off the stool I’d been sitting on for so long, I was stiff. Since Cope hadn’t bothered to tell me he was leaving, I didn’t bother either.
“Who are you?” I asked the man perched outside the door of my apartment.
“Name’s Buck, ma’am,” he said, holding his hand out to shake mine. “Can I help you with your bags?”
“I’m good. Thanks.” I put my card in the reader, and he opened the door for me.
“Who do you work for, Buck?” I asked over my shoulder, holding the door open with my leg.
“I’m a private contractor, ma’am.”
Not an answer, but obviously, he worked for the agency. “Is Buck your real name?”
He shook his head. “No, ma’am.”
“I’m going to ask you one more question, and this time, I want you to answer it.”
He nodded his head once.
“How old are you?”
“I’m thirty, ma’am.”
“That’s what I thought. I’m two years younger than you are, Buck, so I’d appreciate it if you stopped calling me ma’am.” I let the door close without waiting for a response.
Once inside, I left my bags near the door and rummaged through my purse, looking for my pain pills. Stupidly, I hadn’t taken one earlier, figuring I would in a few minutes once I got over here. Instead, I’d sat in Cope’s apartment for three hours. My body ached, and all I wanted to do was lie down on the bed and sleep until the pain went away.
I took two instead of the one recommended and went into the bedroom, feeling even more stupid when I found myself wishing Cope was with me.
When I woke, it was dark outside. I gingerly rolled and eased myself off the mattress. Time for another pain pill, followed by more sleep. After deciding I’d better take only one this time, I finished the water I’d poured into a glass and walked as close to the windows as I was comfortable.
From there, it didn’t appear there were any lights on in Cope’s place. I took two more cautious steps forward and peeked around the corner. The draperies were open, and the apartment looked completely dark. I was about to take a step backward when something near Cope’s window caught my eye. Light reflected off a glass held by the silhouette of a man as he raised it in my direction. Why was he sitting over there in the dark? Was he angry I left without so much as a thank you?
I raised my hand but couldn’t see if the silhouette moved.
After a couple of minutes, I went back into the bedroom where I’d left my phone and called him. When it only rang twice before going to voicemail, I pressed end without leaving a message.
14