“I know, Angel,” Liam whispers. “I hate that they’re still out there. That they’re hiding in plain sight.”
“We should kill them,” Emmett proposes, and when we look at him, he grins. “Just a suggestion. Go all vigilante justice on them like that movie we watched, Gabs.” I laugh, wiping my face, and I know he did it on purpose just to make me smile. That’s my Emmett, our earlier fight forgotten.
“Drown them in baby oil,” I tease.
They all laugh at that, and Liam grinds up into me. “Grind them to death.”
“Or just hit them with Kingston’s giant cock, that would kill anyone.” Damon chuckles. My mouth drops open before frantic giggles escape my lips. Just when I think they will dry up, I look over to see Kingston smiling and shaking his head, and they start all over again. Even Blake laughs.
When we eventually get a hold of ourselves, we just sit in silence, all of us turning somber once more. We know it’s going to get worse before it gets better. If they are back, then this time, they are aiming for me…and I don’t think they will get it wrong.
That means we need to be smarter and faster, and catch them before they catch me.
A knock startles us, reverberating around the bus from the front door.
“Sorry, Gabs, the police are here!” Kathy calls through the bus door, making me giggle nervously from the fear that surged through me from that one noise.
I kiss Blake before standing and straightening my clothes. I nip to the bathroom and sort my tear-stained face before tipping back my head and blowing out a breath. When I return to the front of the bus, two detectives are already inside. New ones that took over the case after Mark’s death.
“Ms. Menro,” the one on the left greets me. I quickly shake his proffered, calloused hand. His skin is a pale colour, and his hair is a deep blond. His face is square and thick, as is his body. He’s big and burly, and his Irish accent rolls over my name in a pleasant way as his green eyes crinkle at the sides from a kind smile.
“Detective Ash.” I nod with a forced smile.
“Miss,” the other one murmurs. He’s older than Detective Ash, that’s for sure. His once black hair is grey nearly all the way through. His rounded face is covered in wrinkles and lines, no doubt added to from his stressful job. He has a slight beer gut hanging over his black trousers and gold belt. His white dress shirt is tucked in with a coffee stain on the breast of it. His black coat is long, like a duster, and he scares me a little. In his eyes is a gleam that says he’s seen a lot in this life, a lot of horrors. Ash told me once, when he’d left the room after interviewing me about Mark’s death, that he was one of the best homicide detectives in London. Until one case went wrong and a child died. He slowed down then…and was assigned to my case.
But he’s determined to find the killer, so no matter my thoughts on the man, I know he’s doing everything he can. I just don’t know if his best is good enough.
“Detective Gibson.” I nod and look at the seats. “Please sit.”
He does, and Ash stands next to him as I perch on a chair across from them, the guys gathering behind me protectively. I see Gibson glance back at them with a small smile before he focuses on me and leans forward, his hands between his parted thighs. Those eyes could freeze anyone. They make me want to confess everything I have ever done wrong. I can’t imagine what they do to criminals, or what he’s seen to put that ice there.
“Start at the very beginning, tell us everything.”
So I do, I tell him everything I can remember and show him the texts. He doesn’t speak the entire time, just listens, and when it’s over, my voice is croaky and I sit back with a sigh, relieved to get it all out.
“Thank you, Ms. Menro,” he offers with a small smile. “That was very helpful.” He shares a look with Ash before leaning closer again.
“We will check CCTV. We have already inspected the venue and have police and bomb dogs double-checking it as well as the bus. We will also be interviewing every member of the staff. Please let me assure you we are taking this very seriously, Ms. Menro. We will catch whoever is doing this. In the meantime, lay low, keep on doing what you’re doing, but don’t let them see you react. Do not go anywhere alone, do not leave the tour if you can help it, and keep us up to date. We also suggest added security at every venue, and we have faxed a list of venues to local police, cautioning them to be prepared. Unfortunately, the texts are coming from an untraceable burner phone, which they clearly dispose of after, but chances are it’s someone close…so just be extra careful. We’ll be in touch.” He stands and offers me his hand, which I shake.
Ash smiles at me before following after him. When they are gone, I slump, rubbing my head. I’m suddenly exhausted, but I have a lot to check on before I even think about sleep.
“Kathy, fill me in.” I sigh as Kingston hands me a cup of tea. I accept it gratefully as Kathy sits in the seat Gibson just vacated and flips open her own list.
Emmett’s eyes flicker to Kathy for a moment, and they share a smile before he stands and kisses me on the head. “Guys, let’s give Gabs a moment to finish work, or she won’t relax tonight.”
They all kiss me as they pass, and when the door shuts, I hunch in my chair. Kathy pauses and looks up at me. “Are you really okay, Gabs?”
Her concern is what stills me, and I debate her question. “No, not really, but I will be,” I tell her, and she closes her list and focuses on me.
“You know I’m here if you need anything, even if it’s just to rant or bitch with… I like to think we’re friends now, Gabby, and I care for you,” she says nervously.
“We are friends,” I agree. “And I care for you too.” I smile. “Who knew we would end up friends?”
She laughs. “Not me. God, I was such a bitch, and you hated me. Not that I blame you.”
I laugh, sipping the tea. “Damn right I did, but no matter what, I’m glad I got to meet you and that this brought us together.”
Her smile grows, and she nods. “Me too.”
“How’s your dad?” I inquire softly. She hasn’t mentioned him since the run-in at Mark’s funeral, and I genuinely want to know how she is. “How are you doing with everything?”
“Honestly? I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to him since. I’ve cut all ties with my family, stopped the money, the texts, the emails… I have nothing to do with them.” She sighs.
“Oh, Kathy, I’m sorry,” I start, but she shakes her head and grins at me.
“Don’t, don’t ever be sorry. You freed me, Gabby. For so long, I was simply his toy, his puppet, and now I get to be me. To find out who I truly am and do what I love…and that’s all thanks to you.” She leans forward, and I mirror her, gripping her hands. “Thank you,” she whispers.
“You’re welcome,” I reply, seeing true happiness in her eyes.
We share a look as the silence stretches on, making us both laugh.
I squeeze her hands, and we share a smile. “Now, tell me how everything went so we can get some sleep.”
She laughs and leans back, looking at her list again. “So, lights said…”