Page 19 of Vicious Hearts

"I've had a headache for days," I reply as he pulls me into a hug, "but I'm used to it now."

“I raided the petty cash and sent you some flowers,” he says. “I hope you liked them.”

“Sure did, thank you.”

"I hope you're not gonna take any more risky walks." He looks in the direction of the park. "This neighborhood is going to the dogs."

"I guess so." I look over his shoulder at the door. "So, who's still here? I see you're not locking up."

"Ali said she'd stay back tonight and try to get ahead of the big filing adventure. She's in the back office, up to her ears in forms."

That's not like Ali. She'd rather be doing sessions and group work with the kids on our caseload. The records must be a total mess.

After what happened last year, all the agencies we work with are being extra vigilant with referrals. When the case broke, there was a lot of negative press about how little was done to protect those kids. Now no one wants to be accused of not doing things by the book, and Oliver writes up the details of every single referral that is called in to us, so the paperwork piles up fast.

"She has the keys," Oliver says. "Don't hurry back to work, Roxy. You're an asset to this organization, and I want you here, butnotat the cost of your health. Rest up and take care, okay?"

Oliver could take a massive salary, but he doesn't. He has a tiny apartment and a crappy sedan, and he likes it that way. As the operating director of the charity, he's obliged to do little except appear on the news, but he's always here, getting his hands on the actual work. Before taking the manager’s position at Always Home, he raised over fifteen million dollars for charitable causes worldwide, and he's still at it, organizing sponsored bungee jumps and other crazy stuff. It's because he never knew his own parents, and he wants to give something back. Occasionally he can be a bit of a dick, expecting us to be as committed as he is, but Ali nor I are up for a tandem skydive.

"Youneedme back," I grin. "Otherwise, you have to suffer Ali's terrible coffee. Unless you fixed the machine?"

"It needs a repair guy to look at it."

"Oliver, it needs apriest. Have you heard the noises it makes? It sounds like it'll demand your soul for a macchiato."

Oliver laughs. "Okay, I'll deal with it. G'night, kid."

* * *

Ali sits on the floor, surrounded by papers and cardboard files. She has sheets of square stickers beside her, with colored circles to add to the front of the files. She looks tired and pissed off.

"Hey, what's the deal?" I ask. Her head whips around when she hears my voice.

"Back at you, Rox," she says. "What am I gonna do with you? I can't believe this happened!"

Seeing that expression of concern on her face makes my heart sink. I know it so well.

I met her in Juvie, and she kept me by her side when we left. Held me when I cried about the loss of my parents. She cared for me for years, protecting me from people who might take advantage. Even when she was pregnant with Luna, she worked and got mad at me when I took the same risks she was taking every day.

She wanted better for me. Still does.

I want to tell her the whole truth, but it's my responsibility this time, not hers. She's happy with Leo and has her own family—a family I cannot put at risk by involving them in this shitshow. Luna is only four. The Dollmaker could come for her.

Ali catches my expression. "I'm sorry," she says, getting to her feet. "I'm glad you're okay, but I'm a natural worrier. Are you back at work already?"

I take the sheaf of paper from her hand and smile. "Nah, but I'll help you out here for a minute. I just wanted to see a familiar face. Otherwise, I'm gonna be resting and doing some work on Farraday's appeal."

Ali's expression sours as she slaps red stickers onto files. "Rox, I know you think Farraday is innocent but has it ever occurred to you that you're just a sucker for the crazies? You want to see the best in someone who's, you know—not right in the head." She has the grace to look a little uncomfortable. "No one would blame you, but it could lead you astray."

I pull out a drawer and put all the files with 'A' surnames inside. "I know what you're saying, but trust me. I know enough to be certain."

"Okay," Ali shrugs. "I take it you reported what happened to the police?"

"Yeah, you might hear from them. I dunno. Anyway," I say, trying to sound casual, "Benedikt is back from his travels."

"He is?" Ali exclaims. "How do you know?"

"We…ran into each other. Actually," I avoid looking at her, "I'm gonna be spending a lot of time with him, I think."

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