Page 18 of In Death, Love Survives

She gives me a tight smile and briefly looks upward at the camera before returning to her notes.

“Mr. Walker. Please tell me how you’re feeling today on a scale from one to ten.”

“A seven.”

“A seven is excellent. Can you please share why?”

“I’m making friends,” I lie.

“Friends are always wonderful.”

“They are. Make you feel… at home?”

“Home is a wonderful feeling. Can you please tell me how home feels to you?”

“Like…”

I drink in the way Nova looks sitting before me. Flushed cheeks, a fitted button-up, and tendrils of loose hair falling along her face, she’s breathtaking.

“Like I’ve seen an angel.”

She gives me a small smile before dipping her head down to prevent anyone else who may be watching from seeing her reaction.

“That has to be a good feeling.”

Nova looks back up at me, more relaxed than when we started.

“Best feeling in the world, some would say.”

I look at her carefully, hoping I’m not overstepping. I just have to make sure she’s okay.

“Fallen angels.”

“Fallen?”

“Yeah. The problem with fallen angels is that it means they’re in trouble. Can’t have that.”

“Well, I’m sure the feeling of your angel is perfectly fine. Not fallen at all.”

“That’s a good reminder. To assume my feeling of peace isn’t broken today.”

“Not today.”

Nova twists in her seat slightly, clearly trying to remain professional in this situation.

“Now, let’s talk about something happy,” she says.

“Happy?” I ask.

“Yes. Tell me about your childhood pets. Did you have any?”

I cross my arms over my chest.

“I did. A German shepherd.”

She smiles.

“A fan of big dogs?”

“I am.”

“They are beautiful creatures.”

“They are.”

“What was its name?”

“His name was Rover.”

Nova laughs.

“That was a pretty typical name back then.”

“Oh, I know. I had a childhood dog named Rover too. Only…”

She trails off suddenly, remembering that it’s not just her and me getting to know one another. I need to help her out of this.

“Anyone who has issues with animals is odd,” I say.

She looks relieved.

“I say, many people would agree with that notion.”

“Something I have in common with the masses then.”

“We all have to have something.”

I glance up at the camera and back at Nova.

“Alright, so what else are you going to try and pull out of me today, Doctor?”

She bites the end of the pen in thought.

“It’s your time to share. Why don’t you tell me what you’d like to discuss today?” she counters.

My Nova girl is unsure where the lines are for our audience.

“I quit smoking,” I share.

“You did?” She perks up.

“Yeah, a beautiful woman once told me she didn’t like it, so I put an end to it before it would become a problem.”

“Just like that?”

“Yeah, Doctor. Just like that.”

“That’s very hard to do.”

“Not for me. When I’m motivated, I find a way to overcome anything in my way.”

“A fine trait.”

A long pause. I know this is awkward for her, probably more than I even realize, since she can’t talk to me about it freely.

“Let’s talk about how to navigate the different people I’m meeting here.”

“In Roper State?”

“Yeah. I’ll happily take your advice.”

She eyes me carefully before understanding dawns.

“Okay. Right. Let’s start with your cellmate?”

“Yeah, that’s a good place to start.”

We carry on for the remainder of the hour, pretending as if I need Nova’s help with prison politics. I don’t bring up the potential move to a different prison, not when I assume Dr. Owens is listening in. Not when I’m not sure if she even knows yet or if he planted that with me ahead of time.

I just hope I get a chance to learn what happened today and, most importantly, that Nova isn’t under any kind of suspicion for helping me.

On the walk back, I stop to make a call. I haven’t spoken to Caleb in days. I know he’s out there searching for answers.

I call his cell, and he actually picks up.

“Wolfe.”

“Where you been?” I ask.

“Out in the dead zones.”

I lean against the open space in between the phone booths.

“What’s wrong?”

Caleb sighs as he stalls.

“Someone has been ramping up their efforts. Stealing from some of the registers.”

“Registers?”

“Yeah. I know. From the diners, some of the smaller operations.”

“Well, fuck, man.”

“Don’t worry. I’m handling it.”

“I trust you.”

“Thank you.”

He laughs lightly.

“What is it?”

“It’ll be so much better when you’re out.”

I run a hand through my hair as I look around the phone stalls.

“You’re telling me.”

“Speaking of,” Caleb starts.

“Have you looked into the people I asked you to?”

“Yeah, and it’s not pretty.”

“Who?”

“The usual suspects you’d assume.”

“And not the other one?”

“No, not the other one. Well, I think you should let her tell you, like you said last time.”

“What is it? You’ve got my interest now.”

“Both of her parents died, and fuck. It’s tragic.”

My heart sinks for my angel Nova. Her parents died too.

Fuck.

I beat on the fence right next to me loudly and get a few stares because of it.

“I can’t wait to have a conversation outside this place again,” I shout.

“I know, man. I know.”

“Deal with the theft issue, and if you can send what you have on the others to my attorney today, that’d be great timing.”

“You got it.”

“Thanks.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll be out soon.”

“I fucking hope so.”