Page 106 of The Hate We Breathe
Abel claps me on the shoulder. “A lot of fucking negotiations, that’s how,” he says, and I’m not entirely sure why, but it feels like an understatement.
“Mr. Pierce? Mr. Vargas?” We’re interrupted by the two officers who’ve finished speaking with the receptionist. As a unit, the four of us turn towards them.
“Yes?” Nolan straightens. “You need a statement from us, Officers?”
The older one who has graying hair along the sides of his temples nods. The name badge of his uniform reads Officer Petty and his partner, Officer Gabin.
Abel introduces himself, shaking each of the officer’s hands even when they stiffen ever so slightly at the mention that he’sour lawyer. I half expect the officers to become aggravated, but they remain professional as the oldest one removes a small notebook and begins to ask us questions.
We detail the events of the night—opting to leave out the less-than-legal methods of our involvement in finding out that Roquel Lee has been stalking Juliet for not just months, but years. When it’s clear that the officers are a little unsure of the validity of our claims, however, Rylie steps in and shows them her badge ID and then the paper.
Whatever it is on the paper makes both officers straighten and Officer Petty puts his notebook away immediately. “We apologize for bothering you folks while you’re waiting for your friends to be treated,” he says rather abruptly. “We’ll be in contact when they’re out of surgery and you’ve all been given sufficient time to recover.”
Nolan and I look between Rylie and Abel and the officers. I’m grateful that it seems he’s as confused by the sudden about-face as I am.
“It’s understandable, Officers,” Abel says with a smile as he circles Rylie’s shoulders with one of his arms. “We know you’re just doing your jobs.”
Officer Gabin bobs his head in an almost jerky fashion. “Yes, sir, Mr. Frazier, just doing our jobs,” he blurts.
“What about Detective Lann?” I ask with a frown. “He was the one in charge of Morpheus Calloway’s murder—he’ll want to know about the new evidence.”
Abel’s smile turns into a shit-eating grin, the smug satisfaction coating his features making his little wife roll her eyes and elbow him in the side. It’s Officer Petty, however, that tells us why.
With a throat-clearing cough, Officer Petty dips his head. “Detective Lann has taken a leave of absence for the time being,”he murmurs. “All of his caseload has been moved to another detective. She’ll be in contact with you soon.”
Stunned. I’m fucking stunned.
I whip my head in Abel’s direction only to find that self-satisfied smirk still on his face. The beautiful, brilliant bastard. I don’t know what the fuck he did to makethathappen, but I’m grateful nonetheless.
“Thank you, gentlemen,” Rylie says, offering the men a soft smile. They seem to relax at her attention, only to stiffen right back up when Abel’s smile falls away into a scowl and low growl of discontent. He drags her closer, narrowing his eyes on them.
“We’ll… uh, get out of your hair then,” Officer Gabin says quickly. Nolan and I watch in surprise as the two bob their heads in unison and practically flee out of the doors into the parking lot.
Slowly, we turn our gazes on Abel. For a long time, no one speaks. Rylie looks both tired and like she’s over dealing with Abel’s rapidly changing moods. Now that the officers are gone, he’s back to smiling and squeezing her against him.
“You did so good, Riot Girl,” he tells her. “God, you’re sexy when you take charge.”
Ignoring him, Rylie focuses on us. “Viks, Abel, and I will handle everything,” she tells us. “Don’t worry about anything for now. Just take care of Lex and Juliet.”
“What about Madison?” Nolan asks, a frown dipping between his brows and forming two lines.
“Viks called,” Rylie replies. “He said he went back up to check on her. She woke up on her own and confirmed what you all suspected. Roquel lured her to the rooftop with needing to talk and then forced her to make the phone call before knocking her out. She said she tried to warn you, but I assume… you didn’t really get it?” The last bit of her words ends in a question and both Nolan and I shake our heads.
“It sounded like the reception was shit,” I say. “I was standing next to Juliet when she took the call.”
Rylie nods as if my answer was expected. “Well, she’s doing okay now. A little shook up and feeling guilty, but according to Viks, she refused to get checked out. She wanted to come to the hospital to check on Juliet, but we figured you guys would want some time to yourselves. I do suggest having Juliet give her a call, though, as soon as she can. She seemed pretty beat up over being used against her like that when I spoke to her on the phone.”
“We’ll shoot her a text as soon as Lex is out of surgery,” Nolan assures them.
As if the mention of Lex conjures them, the double doors leading back into the hospital’s hallways open and both Eliza and a man dressed in scrubs come out into the waiting room.
“Come on, boys,” Eliza says, gesturing to us. “It’s time to check on your friends.”
With that, Nolan and I thank Abel and Rylie and practically race for the doors. The sooner I can put eyes on both Lex and our girl, the better I’ll feel.
40
LEX
