Page 58 of Begin Again
TURNER:You and me both, Sarge. (sighs)
WARREN:I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s more going on here, Beau.
TURNER:What do you mean?
WARREN:Haven’t you noticed that whenever we get one step closer to figuring it out, we get set three steps back?
TURNER:You think we have a mole?
WARREN:(shuffles) Something’s going on.
TURNER:(sighs) Fuck.
WARREN:Don’t tell her. Not until we know more. If she finds out someone in the department might be involved…she’ll haveallour heads.
TURNER:I can’t lie to her, James.
WARREN:Don’t let your personal feelings get in the way of doing your job, Beau.
TURNER:What are you talking about?
WARREN:(background noise) You really want this part recorded?
END OF TRANSCRIPT.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
October 2028
“WHERE ARE YOU COMING from?” Elizabeth asks when I walk through the door. My sister flew into Colorado this morning with her adopted daughter, Brie; Brie’s friend, Blake; and Nick’s cousin, Michaela. They are in town to celebrate our birthdays—mine is tomorrow, Elizabeth’s is two days after—and Halloween. They even talked my brother’s wife, Eileen, into making it a girls’ trip. And while they did so under the guise of wanting to celebrate, I know part of the reason is to check on me after what should have been the fourth wedding anniversary of our vow renewal two years after getting married at a courthouse in New York. Thursday was a hard day, but it was nothing like what I felt on May 18, on what should have been our sixth wedding anniversary.
Eileen arrives tomorrow with my nieces Ophelia and Fallon, just in time for my birthday dinner and Halloween the next day. Ophelia was ecstatic her mother was letting her miss three whole days of school and had called me every day since they made the plans, updating me on her costume, which Eileen was making.
Did I want to spend the next five days entertaining people? No, but I knew it would be good for Elena. They finally sold me on the idea by saying the kids could go trick-or-treating withBrie and Blake in town while the adults went to dinner at the club where Eileen and I could enjoy some kid-free time.
I don’t think Elena likes being in Colorado as much without Nick. I think she feels alone, even with me here and the few friends she has made in preschool. It’s not the same as having her dad here to play with her or her cousins down the street. We’re halfway across the country from the rest of the family, and seeing how it affects her breaks my heart. I don’t want to move back to New York or Winchester—especially Winchester—but if it means doing the best thing for her…I’d do it.
“Oh, I had to run by the station. Talk to Beau,” I say, pulling a water bottle from the fridge.
“You do that a lot?” she asks with a raised brow.
“I check in with him a few times a week.” I shrug. What’s the big deal? Beau has been helping me continue the search for Nick.
Elizabeth sighs, eyes narrowed in thought. She returns to the meal she’s been preparing.Thank God.I was not in the mood to explain my meetings with Beau to her. Or anyone, for that matter.
“Momma!” Elena races into the kitchen and I sweep her into my arms. “Did Uncle Beau send me a present?”
I laugh, ignoring the look Elizabeth gives over her shoulder. “Of course, and he says to tell his Shortie hello.”
Elena squeals with delight as I adjust her to rest on my hip and reach into my purse. I pull out the sucker the sheriff had swiped from the jar on his desk which he kept stocked with blue raspberry suckers specifically for her.
“I will let you hold onto it,” I say, holding it out to her, but not letting go. “But you can’t eat it until after dinner.”
“But, Momma…” Elena groans.
“No, ma’am. You’re not going to spoil your dinner.”
Elizabeth shakes her head, siding with me when Elena tries to persuade her next. “Sorry, Lena. Your momma is right. Besides, I made skillet mac, your favorite.”
