Page 64 of Not the Bodyguard's Widow
“Alex? Don’t come in.”
“I won’t. I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“I haven’t drowned if that’s what you mean.”
Her answer was far from adequate. Her voice wasn’t choked with tears—could she be in shock again? Not medically, although he had watched her for signs of shock after the ordeal with the police. “Do you want to talk?”
“I’m in the bathtub.”
“I know. I’ll stay out here. Abbie and I used to talk like this. I’d sit on the floor outside her bedroom or bathroom. My brothers would come and pretend to trip over my legs.” Alex slid down the wall until he was sitting.
“Alex?’’
“Yes?”
“What am I supposed to do?”
“About what?”
“Everything.”
“That is a big question. Can you narrow it down?’
“I don’t know. There is just so much. Too much. Mom, Jeremy, Hawthorn, baby, murderers, not trusting the FBI—and you. I don’t even know where to start.”
Me?That list was a heavy one to be included in. “What about your mother?”
“Tomorrow is her funeral, and I feel like I’m done mourning her. If I could, I would skip it, but everyone went to so much work to set it up. The church ladies are making us lunch after, although I told them there weren’t any other family or friends than the five of us.”
“Candace would have come.”
“I know, but what if someone is watching me? I don’t want anyone making the connection and putting her in danger too. Can you imagine? If someone realized I knew Candace, it could lead them to Mandy, Tessa, Candace’s cousin, and their other roommate—what’s-her-name.”
“You mean Araceli?”
“That’s her. I never met her. Anyway, if this is about money, I would be putting six billionaire families loosely tied to me in danger. That’s why I told her not to come. It’s a funeral.”
Her logic was off. Even if someone tied the six families to her, the chances they would try going after the families were infinitesimally small. “I think this funeral is more about your California friends showing they love you.”
Water splashed against the tub. “You’re probably right. It was nice to get so many hugs tonight. That is one thing I’ve missed at the church in Chicago.”
“Hugs?”
“No, friends. I don’t really talk to anyone.”
“Or I don’t let you.” Alex pulled his knees up.
“True, you can be a bit pushy.”
“Just doing my job.” He thought he heard a laugh. If only he were wittier.
“Thanks for not being pushy today.”
“Mmm-hmm.” His hours of conversation with Abbie had taught him that he could keep the conversation moving with any sound that proved he was listening.
“I think today may have been the hardest day of my life. The four of you are the only thing holding me together.”
“I wish we could have spared you.” The emotions he’d felt listening to Hawthorn over the FBI’s wires that morning came back. He’d found himself wanting to hit a wall to work out the frustration. There had to be some exercise equipment in the house.
