Page 55 of Aftermath
I never spoke of myself as one of them. It was a piece of me I had shoved deep down for so long.
“I know the feeling,” Beck said gently, and I glanced up.
His eyes were distant, filled with a deep sorrow, but I didn’t push. Instead, I walked beside him in silence the rest of the way to his place.
My phone started vibrating in the purse I carried, breaking the long, drawn out silence.
I pulled it out but didn’t recognize the number on the screen. My worry got the better of me, and I answered, hoping it was not Francis searching for where I’d gone or retracting her agreement to let me help.
“This is Lenore,” I answered in a polite tone I barely recognized.
The voice that came through the phone was muffled and robotic.“Stop searching, or you will regret it.”
“Who is this?” I asked, my stomach sinking.
Agent Beck stopped in his tracks and watched me with careful precision. I saw the worry wash over his face, and he motioned for me to put it on speaker, which I quickly did.
“If you don’t quit now, the killing will start again,” the voiced answered, and the call cut short.
“Wait-”
It was too late. They’d already hung up.
My stomach sank, and I barely registered my hands slipping the phone back into my purse. It was the second threat, two days in a row. Reality started to wash over me, knowing the home I’d built and life I’d pieced together was no longer safe.
They were back, and I couldn’t do anything about it.
“You’re staying at my rental,” Beck said firmly.
“No-” I started.
“Don’t argue with me, Lenny,” he said, cutting me off.
I’d never heard his voice turn so serious. I met his gaze and saw his worry.
“No one calls me Lenny,” I answered in a low tone, holding his stare.
It was the only thing I could think to say. Realistically, trying to get him in and out of my apartment without Mal seeing would be near impossible. The couch was much smaller than the one at his rental, and all the work we’d begun was with him.
It’s the logical choice.
I knew earlier, he’d only been obliging my hesitancy by being kind, but now, the threat seemed far too real, and his tone suggested there was not room for argument.
Beck knew better than anyone how quickly these threats could turn to reality. I had to trust him, to let someone in for once, to allow them to help.
“Birdie and Alonzo are coming too then,” I said stubbornly.
If I’m abandoning my apartment, I’m doing it on my terms.
“I’m pretty sure my rental agreement said no pets allowed in the house,” Beck noted.
“You actually read over that thing?” I asked, raising a brow.
I’d stayed in plenty of rental houses for trips, but never once did I actually read what I agreed to when I checked those tiny boxes.
“Read and memorized,” he said without a second thought.
“Why am I not surprised?” I said, shaking my head with a soft laugh.
