Page 61 of Draven

Chapter 22

Louise

Two days pass, and work begins to return to normal. My coworkers get over their discomfort, and the usual banter returns in force. I haven’t seen Draven since the morning of our fight over Ruby. He’d received a call to support on another case down in Washington D.C., but we’ve kept in regular contact.

Our enforced separation, though, gives me far too much time to worry. What if he’s changed his mind about our relationship, if what we have can even be called that? What if he’s decided I’m not worth the aggravation and has an urge to return to his trouble-free life? He started out wanting to punish me for my actions eight years ago. Maybe this is how he’s chosen to do it by getting me into bed and then dropping me once I admit my feelings.

No, I don’t believe that. Not really. I’m missing him, that’s all, and allowing my frustrations at the lack of progress on Shala to get the better of me.

My cell rings, and a spurt of hope briefly shines until I see the caller ID.

Rick.

“Hey, what’s up?” I ask glumly.

“You owe me so many favors now, Rhodes, you’ll be ninety years old before you’ve paid them all off.”

“Dream on,” I say, my spirits lifting as they often do when I speak with Rick. He’s just a solid, all-round good guy. “Go on, then. Tell me this latest miracle you’ve performed.”

“Draven came to see me a couple days ago and said you were interested in talking to some of the women from the warehouse.”

My pulse jolts at the mention of Draven’s name. Then Rick’s words resonate, and a spark of excitement curls in my gut. Draven came through for me. God, I want to kiss that guy.

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“One of them has agreed to talk to you. Darla Adams.”

My heart rate shoots up. Darla Adams was the woman who Ms. Fowler lied about in her statement. The one she said she’d watched two men bundle into a van. “When? Where?”

“She’s agreed I can pass on her contact details. After that, it’s up to you.”

“I love you,” I say.

“Yeah, yeah. Too late, Rhodes. You had your chance back in the academy, and you blew it.”

I laugh. “You’re so full of shit.”

“Whatever,” he says, chuckling. “Keep me updated.”

“I will.”

I end the call, then stare at my phone waiting for Rick’s text. Less than sixty seconds later, it arrives. I add Darla’s number to my contacts and immediately place the call. It goes straight to voicemail, but given that I’d come up as unknown caller, I’m not surprised. I use that method of call screening all the time. If it’s important, the caller will leave a message. If they don’t then, in all likelihood, it’s either spam or inconsequential.

I record a brief message, leaving my name, number, and the reason for my call. After that, I call Draven to share my excitement at Rick coming through with a contact, and to thank him for coming through for me. It’s an excuse to speak to him, I know that. He’ll probably know it, too.

Cramming down my disappointment when he doesn’t pick up isn’t easy, and with no call from Darla, I decide to grab a bite to eat. I walk the mile to the food mart, buy a sandwich and a bottle of water, and head back to my office. I jog up the steps, then hear my name being called. Turning around, my gaze falls on a woman I recognize from the case file: Darla Adams. She’s leaning against a tree at the foot of the steps with another woman standing beside her.

I return to the street. “Ms. Adams.” I hold out my hand. “I’m Detective Rhodes.” Thank God I can still call myself by that title… for now.

“I-I got your message,” she falters. “This is my friend Linda. I-I don’t like to go out by myself. Not now.” Her voice drops. “Maybe not ever.”

A desire for vengeance heats my blood. As if these women haven’t suffered enough, yet their suffering continues. They’re free, but not really.

“Are you available to talk now?” I ask carefully.

She nods, nibbling on her thumb nail, her gaze darting between me and the building behind her. “Can Linda stay?”

I offer a gentle smile. “Absolutely.” I jerk my head toward the precinct. “The coffee in there is awful. How about I drive us somewhere that serves better java?”

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