Page 35 of When You're Broken
Amelia let out a shaky breath.“Guess this is it,” she muttered, scanning the unimpressive decor.“Our fancy hideaway.”
Finn flicked on a lamp near the bed, its glow revealing scuffed furniture that had seen better days.“At least there are no flies.That’s one plus.”
She tossed her suitcase against the wall, crossing her arms again in that defensive stance.“I wonder how long McNeill expects us to rot in here.Meanwhile, Brendan’s out there, and Wendell is free to pick off more people—like he did to Rob.”
Finn walked to the small desk, running a finger across its surface to check for dust.“Better we stay out of Wendell’s line of fire, though.According to McNeill’s logic, anyway.We’re safer locked away while the rest of the taskforce hunts him down.”His voice held a trace of bitterness that he couldn’t quite hide.
Amelia turned to him, her eyes reflecting the lamplight.“And what if they don’t find him?Then what?My brother could be gone.Or Wendell kills another friend.Or he escalates something worse.”She swallowed, setting her jaw as though forcing back a wave of emotion.“Finn, how do we just sit here, waiting?”
He exhaled, stepping closer, resting a hand on the side of his bag.“We have to hope McNeill and the others follow the leads we uncovered.Wendell can’t hide forever.”
She studied him for a long moment, then nodded, but it lacked conviction.“Right,” she murmured.“Sure.”
Finn tried to lighten the mood.“Let’s see if I can make this place less miserable.You want anything from the courtesy tray?Maybe instant coffee?Or we can watch some late-night movie to kill time.”It sounded halfhearted even to him, but he needed to do something.
Amelia’s gaze slid to the dark window.The city lights outside were a blur of color against the blackness.She sat on the edge of the bed, shoulders slumped, and stared into that reflection.“I can’t pretend everything’s normal,” she said quietly.“Not with Brendan in danger.Not with Rob lying comatose in a hospital bed.”
Finn felt a surge of guilt.How could he ask her to relax or distract herself when the two men closest to her—her brother and their dear friend—were in dire circumstances?“You’re right,” he said softly, dropping any pretense.“I’m sorry.I keep telling myself we have to push the fear aside to stay sane, but that’s easier said than done.”
She flicked her gaze to him, the lines of her face etched with sorrow.“How do you do it?Have you forgotten about Rob’s situation?That Wendell nearly killed him?”
He inhaled sharply, memories of seeing Rob's unconscious form in the hospital bed swirling in his mind.The beep of the monitors, the possibility that his friend might never wake up."Of course, I haven't forgotten," he said, voice thick."Rob's one of my oldest friends.I love him like a brother."
Tears gathered at the corners of Amelia’s eyes.She swiped them away with the back of her hand, her voice cracking.“Then how can you just… keep functioning?”
Finn sank onto the bed beside her, tentatively placing a hand over hers.The simplest answer was also the hardest: necessity.“Because all that matters now is stopping something worse from happening to you.If Wendell sets his sights on you—and we both know he has—I can’t let him get that chance.I lost so much back in the States, my career, my sense of purpose… By the time I landed here, I was a broken shell, just stumbling through consulting jobs.Then I met you.”
Amelia’s eyes glistened, her posture softening a fraction.“Oh, Finn…” she whispered.
He squeezed her hand gently.“You reminded me that I wasn’t done living—that I could still make a difference.And in the process, I found… someone who saw me for me.You became my anchor.So, yes, I’m terrified for Rob.But if something happened to you?”His breath caught.“That’s beyond what I can bear.”
She closed her eyes, letting the moment settle.Then she leaned closer, tears still visible on her lashes.“I’m so scared for my brother.But I’m scared for you, too.”
They sat in silence, the warmth of their proximity battling the chill of dread around them.Then Amelia leaned forward, pressing her lips to Finn’s in a kiss that carried all the tension, fear, and longing they’d bottled up.Finn’s heart hammered, and he let himself drown in that brief moment of stolen comfort.
A sharp knock at the door jolted them apart.Finn tensed automatically, heart in his throat.Then a muffled voice: “Clint here.Everything all right inside?”
He recognized Robert Clint’s subdued baritone.Relief tempered with annoyance at the interruption.Finn stood, crossing to the door and peering through the peephole to confirm.Sure enough, he spotted Clint’s sandy-blond hair.Finn unlatched the door and opened it.“Hey, come in,” he murmured.“Just you?”
Clint stepped inside, sporting a light jacket and looking frazzled.The overhead lamp cast his shadow over the dull carpet.“Yeah, I came alone.McNeill thinks I’m at the station finishing reports.”He offered a faint grin.“How are you both feeling?”
Amelia rose from the bed, wiping a stray tear.“How do you think?We’re stuck here, useless.”The bitterness in her voice made her words cut.
Clint nodded sympathetically.“I can’t say I disagree with you.This forced protective measure—I get McNeill’s logic, but I also think benching our best players is questionable.Then again, I’m just the detective, he’s the Inspector.”He sighed.“But he’s not heartless.He’s just—driven.He wants results, even if he ruffles feathers.”
Finn swallowed, arms crossing.“Yeah, well, let’s see if his results help Brendan or Rob.Because from our vantage, we’re not sure they will.”
Clint grimaced, searching for a response.“Look, I did come with news.We traced Harry Renfield’s phone.Or at least, we found the last place it pinged.Figured you two might want to know, even though you’re off the case.”
Amelia’s eyes narrowed.“Off or not, we still want updates.Where was it?”
Clint took a breath.“A place called Longwood—on the eastern edge of London.Technically part of the city but basically abandoned.The phone pinged in the middle of an old shopping center.It’s scheduled for demolition, but there’s been some messy legal battles over it.”
Amelia’s brow furrowed.“Longwood?Wait, that’s the site with a huge conservation lawsuit, right?The developer wanted to bulldoze the old buildings, but some wildlife group challenged them.And nothing’s happened for years.”
“Yes,” Clint confirmed.“They tried to rejuvenate it back in the 70s and 80s, but it turned into a money pit.The city gave up.The woods started reclaiming the area, so no one lives there now, except maybe a few squatters and junkies.Hardly policed, anyway.Perfect place for Wendell to hide if he’s using Renfield’s phone or meeting him.”
Finn’s mind raced, picturing that deserted zone.“So they found Renfield’s phone there?”
