Page 19 of Into The Rabbit Hole
Chapter 4
Chloe
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The tearsthat took her from that day never stopped. It seemed that was all her body was programmed to do, as if her soul wasweeping.
Feeling powerless was a terrible thing. A really awful thing that hurt both mentally and physically. But desolation was even worse. She’d never experienced that before. Never experienced this feeling, like a substantial part of her was missing.Gone.
That was the best way that she could put it.Gone.
She was curled up on the sofa athome.
Home, the house she’d lived in too briefly with Wade. The house she should never have left. Chloe had come straight back here. It felt like the natural thing to do, as it was where she belonged. Anywhere that was his, anywhere where hewas.
She didn’t care what he said, it wasn’t over between them. Chloe would never accept that, and she wouldn’t entertain the thought of it either. What was getting to her was that it didn’t seem like there was anything she could do, and it was driving herinsane.
She kept going over what she knew in her mind, trying to think of every way possible that she could help. However, each time she wasstumped.
The problem linked back to the psycho, the psycho that wanted to destroy the Vandervilles—and was doing a terrific job at it—and had ensured there was no connection to them or Wade and Merissa. So they had to establish a connection. Someone had to. Buthow.
How did anybody do that? Regina told her Detective Fray and Cora, Gilly’s PI friend, were doing whatever investigation they were doing, but nothing seemed like it was quiteenough.
It was three days ago now that she’d seen Wade. Three days, and each day with no results or evidence of innocence made Wade look even moreguilty.
She shifted against the largest cushion when the doorbell rang and she rose to answer thedoor.
It wasWes.
He’d been coming by every day to see her. Each time he brought ice cream, a bag of Jolly Ranger candy and a blueberry muffin. She fell into his arms for their usual embrace, but today she lingered for a little longer, wanting to absorb hisstrength.
“My friend,” he whispered into her ear and kissed her forehead. “Come on. I’ll fix you some icecream.”
He did, sharing a large bowl. Yesterday he’d brought along some chocolate sprinkles and mini marshmallows. He added them both to the delicious helping of strawberry and pistachio ice cream he got from their favoriteparlor.
In the past they would indulge together in their times of worry and stress. When they were doing their SATs back in high school they practically lived on ice cream. It was soul food for them that was guaranteed to fix anyproblem.
The things they classed as problems previously were all so very trivial in comparison to what was going on now. The only thing that could fix the way she felt right now was Wade being released from prison and this psycho person placed behind bars for killingMerissa.
Jesus, every time she thought about the fact that there was a killer on the loose, someone who was after them, it made her blood curdle and she felt so sick she couldvomit.
Wes sat her down on the sofa again. He sat opposite and watchedher.
“Is it safe for you to be here?” He looked worried. He’d looked worried ever since everything happened, ever since she decided to take the plunge to give in to her feelings for Wade. All those months ago seemed like a lifetime hadpassed.
So much hadhappened.
“I can’t be anywhereelse.”
“You could go back to the beach house, or better yet, come stay withme.”
He was sweet to offer, but she had to decline. “I have to behere.”
“Why? Chloe, you’re in this house by yourself and there’s a killer on the loose. That can’t be a goodthing.”
He was right, but her attention was drawn to the fact that he didn’t think that Wade killed Merissa. He’d been saying the same or similar things on his last few visits, but she’d been too distraught to comment. More than anything Chloe was grateful for his support and his belief in Wade’sinnocence.
She’d told him all that was going on so he was clued up oneverything.