Page 24 of Keeping Ava

I don’t stop until I’m in the living room where another face awaits. “Hi.”

“Good to see you again, Miss Perry.” Captain Perez stands, hand extended toward me and I take it, giving it a small shake before pulling back. Two steps are all I get before Eli is beside me and watching our encounter with curiosity.

“Likewise.” There’s an oversized chair to my right, and I take a seat there, ignoring the urge to move closer to the man currently driving me insane.

“Again.” Eli doesn’t ask. It’s a demand for answers.

“Yeah.” My eyes flick to his boss, and he gives me a nod. Okay. So, I guess this one is on me.

“We met through a video conference call when I was told I’d be transferring here. He was nice enough to try and give me some reassurance—tell me what to expect.” At my explanation, Elijah just stares. Nothing in his facial expression gives way to his thoughts. “He’s the one that promised to place his best in charge of my protection. He gave me you.”

“I see.” That’s all he says, and I look at Perez for some help.

Can I be mad at him? No. Not really.

Not when we all have secrets. Even if it’s not done with malicious intent.

“How about we focus on what’s important here.” Perez tone holds an edge of anger. It simmers beneath the surface and once again, fear strikes me. I’ve seen the news coverage. The missing girl. “What did Meyers say, Ava?”

“He wanted to know if I was alone. If Elijah left a file behind for him to pick—”

“Word for word, Ava.” This comes from Detective Ford. His tone is brusque and full of ire. My eyes meet his, and gone is the soft look or cocky grin. In that moment, he’s a no-nonsense officer of the law.

He’s not the man who welcomed me into his home with a smile and calmed my fears.

He’s not the Elijah who made a huge mess inside the kitchen and I wanted to kiss stupid.

“Go on, Ava. Tell us what he said,” Perez looked between us, sensing the tension rising.

“The phone rang twice, and I picked up, thinking it was Detective Ford. All I said was hello, when the man spoke. It happened so fast and I felt off—he made me feel uncomfortable.” Tucking my feet beneath me, I place my hands in my lap, nervously playing with an old silver ring that belonged to my mother. “He asked for you...” my eyes shift to Eli “...and when—”

Fords eyes soften. “Exact words, sweetheart. Please.”

Taking in a deep breath, I let it out slowly and gave a nod. “He said, and I quote: ‘Where’s Ford? Why are you answering his phone?’ I tried to answer, but he carried on over me. He came across as agitated. ‘Did he leave a file for me before leaving you alone, Ava?’

“Did he mention anything about the file? Anything specific?” Perez asks. In his hand he has a pen and is jotting something down atop a thick manila folder.

I shake my head. “No. Nothing about its contents.”

“Did he say anything else?” This time it was Elijah who spoke; he’s sitting forward, hands clenched at his sides.

“He caught me off guard, and I asked him who he was and how he knew my name, but instead of answering, he laughed...his chuckle held an edge of anger that gave me the creeps.” Closing my eyes for a few seconds, I try to shake the memory away. Take myself out of that moment of fear and concentrate on my breathing. It takes a minute or two, and I’m thankful that neither man rushes me. When I’m ready—when my heart calms and I can speak without a knot lodging itself in my throat, I look at Elijah again. Focus on him. “I’m Detective Meyers, Miss Ava, and we’ll be seeing you soon.”

Elijah stands abruptly, nearly tipping over the small coffee table in front of him. Two glasses fall, shattering upon impact with the floor. The small picture frame beside them didn’t make out any better.

“I’m going to kill every one of those motherfuckers. Those sons of bitches are going to regret the day they were born—”

“Miss Perry, please give us a minute. He might need a moment or two to calm down.” They both exclaim in unison, one in pure fury and the other with a decorum that’s drowning within his own ire.

Moreover, I listen without hesitation, but not before pausing at the entrance to the hallway that leads to my bedroom. “You owe me an explanation, Eli.”

Not a request or plea. The man knows what I’m talking about, and I won’t elaborate.

Today. Tomorrow. In a few days’ time.

Doesn’t matter because I deserve to know just how much danger I’m in—how bad and out of hand things are.

Elijah doesn’t look back at me from his place near the balcony doors; his head is hanging down and his breathing is hard, but he does something that’s enough for me.

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