Page 28 of Shattering Nash

Famous last words.

Thirty minutes later, she found out. Among the massive crowds on the dance floor, they’d gotten separated, and nowCharley was wandering aimlessly trying to find Keely. She’d checked the table twice, but she’d lost her bearings. There was an opening to the hallway, and she’d seen signs for restrooms. It was the one place she hadn’t checked. She slipped past a group of women.

Charley squinted and slowed her steps, putting her farther into the hallway. When her phone rang, she dug into her pocketbook and pulled it out. She assumed it was Keely but was caught off guard with the “unknown caller” on her screen. Usually, it was a telemarketer, and she’d ignore it, but for some strange reason, she answered.

“Hello?”

“Is this Charley Hudson?” The husky voice was vaguely familiar.

She moved closer to the end of the hallway and rounded the bend. It was far enough away from the club’s main floor to drown out the music.

“This is her.”

“Charley, this is Officer Becker. Do you remember me?”

Remember him? How could she forget? He’d been the nicer of the two when Cody was taken in to the rehab.

“Of course, how are you?”

“I’m well, thank you. Just wanted to check in.”

Her heart raced, and she blurted. “Do you have any information on my brother? I haven’t heard from him yet.”

“Actually, that’s the reason for my call. Cody doesn’t have phone privileges, and he won’t for a while. But I wanted to let you know he’s doing good. Adjusting well to the program.”

She placed her hand on her chest and collapsed against the wall. She couldn’t have asked for better news. Cody’s past stints in rehab had always been a struggle at the beginning. The first week had been painful through the withdrawals, and he’d often resisted the help being offered. A true addict.

“That’s great.”

“Yeah, he’s been to some group meetings, and the doctors say he’s progressing well.”

She knitted her brows. Cody was in group meetings already?

“Already? His last two rehabs, he didn’t start group therapy for at least three weeks.”

There was a long stretch of silence. So long that she pressed the phone to her ear, thinking the call may’ve gotten disconnected.

“Hello?”

He cleared his throat. “Sorry about that. Uh yeah, this is a new program, I guess. It’s working.”

She smiled and nodded. Who was she to question it?

“Do you know when I’ll get to talk to him?”

“Not yet. But maybe soon. Until then, I wanted to reach out and put your mind at ease. He’s doing good, Charley.”

She drew in a breath and slowly exhaled. “Thank you.”

“While I have you, just want to remind you that the deal we made with him going to rehab versus prison is a little unorthodox, as I explained.”

“I understand.”

“And for that reason, you shouldn’t mention the events of that night.”

“I haven’t.” It wasn’t exactly something she wanted anyone to know. Even with Keely, she’d given a very condensed version of the actual events with no details.

“Good. Well, I have to run, but I’ll be in touch again.”

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