Page 27

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

I bet my face looks guilty. It has to. There’s no way I look normal. Not after a whirlwind like I’ve been in. Ducking my head, I avoid Reeves’s eyes.

“Hey, Avery, have you seen the chief?”

My feet suddenly freeze to the floor. Oh crap. Technicalities are a bitch. I have seen him. We’ve all seen him. Some of us more recently than others. “Uh?—”

“He took the day off,” Frank replies, saving me, as he hurries past the two of us, and ducks into the men’s room.

“Hm.” Reeves makes a disbelieving sound. “That’s odd.”

Without looking up at my coworker, I drop the load of dish towels I found in the laundry onto the work table and start folding them. Forcing my voice casual, I say, “He’s probably spending some time with his son. You know… after the stressful stuff that’s been going on.”

Drats! Reeves decides to sit down at the table. Oh great. Not what I need right now. I’m in serious danger of slipping up and saying something that could end in ruin.

He picks up a towel and folds it, then grabs another. “Did you do the laundry?”

“No. Someone else had already washed them.”

“That would be me!” Frank yells as he passes the kitchen.

I stare after the man. “Frank’s everywhere with all the answers today.”

“Frank’s got eyes in the back of his head,” Reeves says with a laugh.

I keep folding, not looking up. Determined that no one, I mean no one is going to see my face today.

Reeves grabs another towel. “So, what do you think about the chief?”

I shrug, pick up another towel. “He’s busy.”

He chuckles. “He sure seemed very interested in you at lunch the other day.”

The towel in my hand falls to the floor when I fumble. I duck under the table and grab it. “Don’t worry, I’m throwing it back in the dirty laundry.”

Reeves is eyeing me when I climb back on my stool. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the grin he’s wearing.

“He likes you, you know?”

I give him a little eye-roll. “I’m not going to speculate about what Chief Mitchell likes.” There. That’s a nice factual statement.

Reeves chuckles. “You’re easy to blush. ”

“Most people are when it comes right down to it.” I flip my eyes to his, “For example, if I ask you about flirting with the hostess at the restaurant.”

His grin deepens. “She’s all of nineteen.”

“But you did flirt. And you are blushing,” I say with my own grin.

“Of course, I did. So does every other guy that goes in there. It’s natural human biology. We’re built that way. As is blushing. It’s a natural flush response.”

I laugh. “So clinical.”

“You know me. I’ve got a paramedic’s brain thanks to my time in the service. So, how is your review of the arson case going?”

“I’m just getting a feel for all the facts.”

“I’m at your service if you need any help. But Brock will probably knock my teeth out.”

I force myself to say, “Why would you say that?”

He chuckles. “It’s a natural guy thing. We just know when we’re getting near another man’s territory.”

My heart’s lurching all over inside my chest.

Looking at my neck, he raises a brow. “Your pulse is pounding.”

I swallow and try to fold a towel but the damned thing seems as hard to manage as a fitted sheet, suddenly.

“Don’t worry. I haven’t said anything to anyone else.”

“What would there be to say?” I ask, looking at him squarely.

“Nothing.” He smiles and stands up. “Nothing at all. I’d never rat the chief out for doing something that makes him happy. He deserves a little good in his life.”

I realize I’m staring. But I don’t say anything.

“He’s had a tough go of it. ”

Nervous, I glance away. “I know he has a lot going on with his son.”

“He’s a good man. If you need someone to vouch for him, I will. But be careful.” He drops his voice. “Frank’s loyalties are elsewhere. Just remember that.”

“Where?” I ask in a rough whisper.

“City hall. He’s sleeping with the assistant to the mayor.”

“Oh.” I give myself a little shake. “I see. Not that I’m doing anything wrong.”

“You might want to be careful about the soap and shampoo you use. You smell like the chief’s shower kit, not like that sweet smelling woman stuff you were using before.” He winks and walks away.

I drop my head onto the mound of folded towels and curse. That bad feeling I had in my gut earlier is back with a vengeance.

The rest of the day passes uneventfully. Thank god. I manage not to see Frank. Reeves keeps his distance. I bury my face in notes about the case.

When the day is over, I make a quick meal in the station kitchen, and lock myself in the bunk room with a book.

Only, I can’t concentrate at all.

My head’s a mess with all the complications of this crazy situation.

I’m face down on the bed with my brain whirling when I hear a surprising sound. My phone ringing. No one calls me.

I turn ice-cold when I read the caller ID. “Law Offices of Smith and Sanders. ”

Nervously, I answer.

A deep, familiar voice on the other end says, “Sis.”

Oh my god. I’ve been dying to hear from Gunnar, but since I didn’t have a landline, I didn’t think it was possible.

“Thank god. I’ve been hoping to hear from you. How are you calling my cell? I thought you had to call collect.” With tears in my throat, I pace across the room.

“My lawyer arranged it. They took the call and put me through to you.”

I’m weak with relief. This nightmare is finally coming to an end. “I was wondering how you’d reach me. I’m sorry I haven’t come on visitation days. I’ve had so much going on with the move. How are you?”

“About to be a lot better.”

My nerves leap into action. “It’s really happening…”

“Next Wednesday.”

I squeal. “Ahhhhmazing. I’m so happy.”

“Me too. Me fucking too. Can you pick me up?”

“Wouldn’t miss it. Any special requests for food?”

“Everything.”

I laugh. “Okay. I remember a few things that should fill that bottomless pit you’ve got. I’ll pack a big bag of snacks.”

For a few seconds, the line goes silent and I know he’s thinking about all the time he’s lost locked behind bars.

I quietly ask, “You sure you’re okay?”

“Just thinking about how long it’s been since I ate a real hamburger.”

“That will be our first stop.”

“I can’t buy,” he says, gruffly.

“Of course not. I’ve got you covered.”

He growls, and I know he’s incredibly frustrated to have to rely on his baby sister for his food and the place he will live. “I’m not happy to be as poor as a high school student again.”

“It’s only temporary. Besides, I’ve been saving, so we’re all good.”

He sighs. “Thanks, pipsqueak. So, you started the new job?”

“I did. Just trying to get settled in. It’s fine.” I’d never tell him about the madness. There’s no reason for him to be worried.

But he says, “There’s something you’re not saying.”

Damn Gunnar. That didn’t take long. “No, really.”

“You’re a sucky liar. That hasn’t changed.”

I groan and flop on the bed. “It’s just a lot of change all at once. Also, I’ve been put on restriction until I get a physical and psych eval.”

“What the hell?” he snaps, his voice full of venom.

I shouldn’t have mentioned it, but Gunnar wasn’t going to let go until I told him something.

“I’ve been having some anxiety.”

“Pip, you need to get some counseling and get that PTSD dealt with.”

“It’s not PTSD,” I mutter.

“Tell yourself what you like. What you went through was some scary shit.”

I cover my eyes with my hand as mist starts to gather on my lashes. “It was eons ago.”

He’s silent again. “Look. I’ve got to go. But I’ll be there soon. We’ll deal with all this shit together. Okay. The two of us. Just like before. I’ll have your back again. I promise.”

With my throat tight, I say, “I know. You’ve always been there for me.”

“Not in a long fucking time. For five years you’ve had to deal with everything. But starting next week, you’ll have your brother back.”

“I’m glad.” My voice shakes and I know he hears it. “I’m just glad you’re going to have your life back.”

His reply is instant, and hard as granite. “It was worth it.”

I can’t speak or swallow. When I finally answer, all I can say is, “I know. I know.”

“Alright. So, Wednesday. The attorney will call with the details. I’ll be looking forward to that hamburger. Hang in there, Pip. I’m getting back in the saddle.”

“Deal,” I reply, barely holding my tears back.

He disconnects.

I cry. Hard. With my face pressed in my pillow, my hands fisted in the blankets.

Emotion pours out of me like a dark river that seems to have no end. It’s been a long, long time since I cried for Gunnar. For us. But tonight, after hearing his voice, I don’t have the strength to hold back the flood any longer.

It’s going to be so good to have Gunnar back in the world of the living instead of locked behind bars for protecting me.