Page 51 of Capturing Hearts

Chapter Thirty-One

Brendan

1:11 p.m.

Aknock at the door. “Brendan?” Mark’s familiar voice.

I rise up and unlock it. My eyes are bloodshot. Not that I know this. My body feels like it’s already dead. Mark and Nicole are standing there with coats over their arms, dressed in jeans and sweaters. I move to the side so they can come in. Nicole pauses as she passes me, letting me know with a look how sorry she is that this is happening. Their suitcases, small carry-ons, get stashed against a wall. They lay their coats over them, and glance at each other as they take in the tree, it’s lights dark now.

“I’ll make some food,” Nicole says quietly, glancing to me as I head for the couch. Mark walks over.

“You’re too tall to stand above me like that,” I mutter, falling into our old routine.

He gives a ghost of smile. He knows I’m just going through the motions. I clocked out hours ago. He sits on the ottoman and I wince at the memory of me and Annie just yesterday.

“Not there.”

He doesn’t ask why as he gets up and sits on the couch next to me. “Did you go to the police station?”

I nod. “Manny called. He’s alive. He’s grief stricken now. Kept saying it’s his fault. I called Taryn and Laura. Annie’s parents. Some people you don’t know who she’s met at work. All the people from my office who knew Tommy. The cops that worked on the case last time came in on their day off. It’s Christmas, you know.” I meet his eyes.

“What did they say?”

“Someone called with an anonymous tip two hours ago. Tommy’s father was discovered in his old house, tied up and beaten severely. It was Tommy, Mark. He’s on a rampage.” I stare at my best friend for answers.

His jaw tightens, the muscles in his neck clenching. “We know him…”

“We didn’t know he was a burglar for life.”

Mark talks over me. “Better than anyone. So let’s think where he could have gone.”

I put my head in my hands and rub my face. “Okay. His apartment is gone. He’s not at his old house. They searched it.”

“How about the neighborhood?” I blink yes. “What about his mom and cousin?”

“They can’t find them. I don’t know anything about his cousin. Did you ever meet the guy? I mean outside of the trial.”

Mark shakes his head. “Never. What about people at work?”

I make a noise, turning my body a little. “Our C.F.O. was having an affair with him. I already accused her of hiding him. She’s not.”

Nicole comes in with long strides and sets down two steaming cups of black coffee. She touches Marks shoulder as she leaves again. “Thanks, babe,” he says, glancing to her retreating form, his mind on the problem. “Drink up.”

Out of apathy, I obey. “You guys are doing well. I didn’t expect her to come with you.”

“She had plans with her girlfriends. We all did, but she canceled them without complaint. This is more important.”

“Thank you. I’m glad she’s here. When I get Annie back, she’ll want to see that ring.”

Mark’s lips flatten as he looks down at the cup in his hands. “What about Tammy?”

“Already knocked on her door. Some guy opened it. She walked out of the bedroom wearing his button-up shirt. Speaking of rings, he had one.” I take a sip of the bitter brew, licking my lips.

“Ah. Not much changes. Well, what about Rebecca?”

I look up at Mark, and set the coffee cup down. “Rebecca wouldn’t hide him.”

Mark blinks at the defensiveness in my voice. “Of course she wouldn’t. But has she heard from him? You know he had a thing for her.”

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