“Jacob wants me to stay out of sight,” she continues, looking like she bit into a lemon.
He’d mentioned to me earlier he didn’t want Kate anywhere near the motel or the center, which is why I wouldn’t let her get out of the door. I’m glad she heard it from someone other than me because it’s clear she’s not happy about it.
“You can stay here.”
I try to make it sound like she has a choice, even though she doesn’t. Even if Branch hadn’t asked me to stick close for now, there’s no way I would let her out of my sight. It may not have been Kendrick driving that SUV, but there’s no way to know for sure he wasn’t involved.
She mumbles, “Whatever,” picking at her fries, which must be cold by now.
I take a seat across from her and catch her eye.
“We need to find Kaylie,” she comments, changing the topic.
“Lanark PD is keeping an eye out.”
“For what that’s worth,” she mutters.
“You don’t think they will?”
Glancing up from her food, I notice her eyes look tired.
“She’s not technically missing so it’ll hardly be a priority. I’d rather be out there looking myself.”
“You can barely keep your eyes open as it is.”
I wasn’t too far off.
About ten minutes later, while watching the late news as we wait for an update, she’s curled up on the couch, zonked out. I could try and move her but that would likely wake her up, so instead I slip into the bedroom, strip the cover off the second bed, and drape it over her.
Then I turn down the volume on the TV, grab my laptop, and sit down in one of the chairs with my feet on the table.
But instead of checking my emails, I watch Kate sleep.
Opal
“Thank you.”
I grab the takeout cup Raj offers me and take a sip. The potent brew going a long way to clearing the cobwebs from my head.
I woke up on the couch a couple of minutes ago when Mitch opened the door to Raj, who came bearing what is left of my belongings, and a tray of coffees.
“What time is it?”
“Four thirty,” Mitch answers, his voice as scratchy as mine.
Sounds like maybe he got a few hours in as well.
My body feels like it’s been run through an industrial dryer. Bruised, swollen, and sore as hell. A groan escapes my lips when I move to make room on the couch.
I’d love to tell Raj about Marshall Browning—I’m pretty sure she’d remember him—but I can’t with Mitch here without revealing her true identity.
“So what’s happening?” I ask her instead.
She sits down beside me.
“Kaylie’s safe.”
I almost spit out my coffee.
“Really? Where is she?”
“In Frankfort, at her aunt’s place. Her father’s sister. It took some time to track her down.”
The girl’s father had died in an industrial accident when she was only eight. From what I’ve learned, she lives with her mother.
“I had to find Mom first. She works the overnight shift at the Tempur Sealy plant in Lexington. She’s the one who suggested to check at her sister-in-law’s. Apparently, she and Kaylie have been fighting a lot and her daughter often looks to the aunt for support.”
“I need to talk to her.”
Raj smiles while at the same time shaking her head.
“Not at four thirty in the morning. Besides which, Jacob suggested, perhaps I could give it a try?” she cautiously formulates in the form of a question.
As much as Pearl is a bulldozer, taking no prisoners, Raj will always tread carefully around people’s feelings.
“Of course,” I answer, not in the least offended.
After all, Raj is the most qualified of any of us to get information from the girl. Not only does she have her master’s degree in psychology, she also has years of experience working as a child victims’ advocate.
“Kaylie implied one of the so-called center donors who were there at breakfast a couple of days ago hurt Melissa,” I brief her. “I think it’s Krebs, I overheard her whisper about him to another girl that morning.”
Mitch jumps in to update Raj on the rumors about the former athlete.
“Wouldn’t be the first time an athlete uses the power that comes with fame and fortune to hide anything from inappropriate behavior to flat-out rape,” Raj responds fiercely.
“Sadly true,” Mitch comments before announcing, “Ex-wife number two apparently lives in Glenview, I think I might take a drive out there today. See if she’s willing to talk.”
“I’m coming,” I announce. “No offense, but she might be more forthcoming with a concerned center volunteer than she would with an FBI agent,” I add when Mitch raises his eyebrows.
“She makes a good point,” my friend offers, backing me up.
I may not be able to return to the center, but I’m not about to sit here and twiddle my thumbs.
“After, we should see if we can talk to Brian Tapper. The cook,” I clarify. “He never said anything specific, but there’s a reason he has a healthy dislike for Kendrick. Perhaps if I tell him why I was at the center to begin with, he’d be willing to substantiate his animosity toward the man.”
Mitch doesn’t even attempt to stop my ramble and continues pacing slowly around the room. It’s starting to get on my nerves.
“Are you gonna sit down?”
Raj’s eyes bulge at the snap in my voice, before a wide grin spreads on her face.
“Wasn’t planning on it,” he responds dryly. “Spent half the night sitting, I can’t feel my ass.”
Of course my eyes immediately drop down to the level of the indicated body part, but since he’s facing me, I find myself looking at something else altogether.
I don’t really have any complaints about my skin or coloring, but right now I’m vehemently cursing my pale complexion as I can literally feel the blush turning my cheeks beet red. I’m not one to get flustered easily these days but, apparently, Mitch’s promising package does the trick.
I could kiss Raj when she gets up, drawing the attention.
“Well, on that note, I should get packing.” At my confused look she explains, “Jacob is arranging to move us into an Airbnb five minutes from the motel. Roomier and more private.”
And, knowing Jacob, I’m willing to bet the place has a good security system.
“We’ll stay in touch and I’ll text you the address when we get there,” she promises, adding, “Oh, and he said to let him know if you need a rental car and he’ll look after it.”
As driven and demanding as a boss he can be, he also takes good care of us.
“Try a warm shower,” Mitch suggests when Raj is gone. “It’ll probably hurt more at first, but will loosen up those muscles.”
I haven’t dared look him in the eye after ogling his crotch but now guardedly peer up at him. His hazel eyes almost appear calculating. My chin instinctively lifts in a silent challenge.
It doesn’t escape me he never conceded to me coming with him to conduct interviews.
“And have you bail on me the moment I’m out of my clothes?” I confront him.