Page 44 of More Than an Ex-Girlfriend

Lilith shakes her head. “I looked all over her apartment but can’t find her.”

I want to pound the boyfriend, but not before finding Lettie. I walk to my side, then unlock my door. “I know where she is.”

I motion for everyone to wait outside.

The bolt is flipped, so she’s in here. “Lettie, it’s me.”

My bedroom is in the back, so I head there first. The closet is closed, and I rarely close that door.

Pulling it open, I call out, “It’s Hazy.”

Tears streaming down her face, she uncovers her ears and rushes toward me. I wrap my arms around her and hold her until the sobs quiet.

“You okay?”

She nods. “He kept calling my name and saying that we’d have a little fun before he dragged me home. I didn’t want to listen anymore.” She steps back and looks around. “Did he leave?”

“I’m not sure who got to him first, but Tandy was sitting on him when we pulled up. And someone from the sheriff’s office is here.”

With an arm around her shoulders, I lead her outside.

She stays near the door. “I don’t want to get anyone else sick.”

Wes tries to tug free of the deputy. “Your mother deserves better than you. All those years she spent raising you, and you won’t help her. You don’t deserve that money.”

Lettie shakes her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Lilith hands me some papers and Lettie’s purse. “He had these in his hand when he came out.”

Glaring at Wes, Tandy puts one hand on her hip, then holds out her phone. “And I recorded the nasty things you were saying.”

The deputy flashes her a warning look.

And Lilith puts a hand on Tandy’s shoulder, probably to keep her from lunging at Wes. He’s in handcuffs, and I’m pretty sure he’d lose in a fight with Tandy. Anyone would.

During the next half hour while deputies are writing their report and Lilith is talking to someone about fixing the broken doorknob, Lettie is fading. She clearly doesn’t feel well.

A deputy, whose badge reads Gallagher, pulls me aside. “I think I have everything I need from your friend. She can go in and lie down. It’s obvious she’s unwell.”

“Thanks. Will you keep me posted?” I glance over my shoulder to make sure Lettie isn’t close enough to hear. “He mentioned money, but we have no idea what that’s about or why he came to drag her back to our hometown. She left for a reason.”

He pats my shoulder, then hands me a card. “My name’s Eli. The card has my info. And I’ll let y’all know what we find out.”

“Thanks so much.” I make my way back to Lettie. “Let’s get you inside, and then I’ll go scrounge us up some dinner.”

“Okay. I really need to go sleep again.” She leans into me when I wrap an arm around her. “I don’t know what money he’s talking about.”

“Don’t worry about that right now.”

I lead her inside. “Bed or couch?”

“Couch. I want to be able to hear if someone is outside.”

Since her doorknob is broken, I guide her to my couch. Here, she won’t be bothered while the repair happens, and I won’t worry as much about leaving her. But I’d rather not be away from her at all right now. “Instead of leaving, I’ll see if someone can—”

She pats my chest. “You can go. I’m okay.”

I drape a blanket over her. “I won’t be long. And I’ll lock up everything.”

---