Page 3 of Three for a Girl

Chad’s throat closed, he couldn’t go any further. The drugs, the scalpel, when Marc—No—Chad stopped his thoughts, shaking them away.

“You found joy in Romeo Knight’s company.”

Chad narrowed his eyes, trying to judge Keeley’s take on the visits.

He didn’t lie, he told the truth. “He was all I had.”

She smiled, her cheeks lifted, and Chad thought she looked pleased.

Pleased he’d told her the truth.

“How are you feeling now that crutch is gone?”

“Lost, if I’m honest.”

“It’s understandable. I’m not here to judge your relationship with Romeo, I’m here to help you in whatever capacity you need me to help. Whatever is said in these four walls stays between us.”

“Unless...” Chad said.

He caught his pants between his thumb and forefinger and pinched. Keeley darted a look at her notebook.

“Unless?”

“There’s always conditions, right? When might you tell my inspector what I say?”

Keeley swallowed. “I’ll only tell him if I have concerns over your, the public’s, or your colleague’s safety. If I believe you’re unfit for work.”

“Thought so.”

“But that doesn’t mean you should bottle things up.”

“If I say the wrong thing, you’ll take my job from me. It’s part of my identity, part of themeI need to get back.”

“Surely as an officer of the law you understand you should only serve if you’re fit to do so. You don’t want to put your colleagues or members of the public at risk.”

“Of course not, but…”

“But what?”

Chad glanced at his hand again, his traitorous hand fidgeting on his knee.

“I can tell you’re stressed in my presence, your responses are very measured, and you try to halt any movements of your hands. I want you to feel like this is a free, safe place. You don’t need to be on edge.”

“I can’t help it.”

“Can I ask why you feel so uncomfortable in my presence?”

“In case I say something I shouldn’t.”

“There is no shouldn’t, Chad. I know opening up at the beginning can be difficult. Especially after everything you’ve been through, but I want you to trust me.”

“Trust.” He shook his head.

“Okay, let me rephrase that. I hope with time, you’ll learn to trust me.”

“I’ve seen a different side to people, it’s made me wary.”

“What do you mean?”

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