Page 84 of Captivating Anika

“No. First of all, because Livingston got Brian to cooperate last night and call his contact in the organization to stall for time. But also, because the FBI plans to make it public that they not only found Kim Cooper’s car with the casino chips inside, but since then have also been able to locate Kim’s body.”

Anika gasps and claps a hand over her mouth.

“I’m so sorry,” Evans offers.

“She’s dead?”

The detective nods, and tears start rolling down Anika’s face. I pass her a handful of tissues.

“Was she killed?”

“Looks that way. She was found not too far from her car in a shallow grave.”

Anika shakes her head, then suddenly jumps up from the couch and makes a run for the bathroom.

Shit.

I follow her but find the door closed in my face. I hear water running and soft crying. I’m torn whether to force my way in, or give her a few moments to herself. Deciding on the latter, I return to the living room.

“Tell me this is the end of it,” I grumble. “At least for her.”

“It should be,” Evans says, as he gets to his feet. “With the information they got last night, the feds are starting to pick apart the organization. Hopefully, once we find Chris Cooper, we’ll be able to get some answers for the missing pieces.”

Behind me, I hear the bathroom door open followed by Anika’s voice.

“How long have you known?”

I turn around, assuming she’s addressing the detective, but she’s looking straight to me.

Anika

Amazing how a splash of cold water can lift the fog.

It didn’t immediately sink when Hog grabbed for that tissue box before Evans even mentioned Kim, but it’s clear to me now. The blood is roaring in my ears.

“Sweetheart…”

“How long?” I repeat.

“Bill told me they’d found a body on Thursday, but they hadn’t confirmed the identity. He confirmed it Friday morning.”

“And, for the record, I asked him to keep it to himself,” Evans adds.

My eyes shoot to him, I’m pissed.

“So, you figured you could tell him, but not the poor little woman?” I snarl.

“Yes,” he confirms calmly. “The feds felt it was important at the time to keep that information under wraps.”

“But you could tell Hog and not me,” I persist. “Why? Because I’m not trustworthy? You didn’t think I could keep my mouth shut?”

“Anika…”

I ignore Hog and continue staring down Evans, who doesn’t appear impressed in the least.

“Your mouth shut, yeah, but you can’t hide grief. Not from friends and loved ones. Besides, I would’ve opted to tell you and not him, had one of his friends and colleagues been found dead.”

That takes the wind out of my sails, and suddenly the overwhelming sadness is back, and I feel myself start tearing up again.

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