Page 56 of State of Retribution

“You seem very sure of that.”

She appeared to give that some thought.“I think maybe I had that done to me at some point, but I’m not sure.Somehow, I know I wouldn’t do it to someone else.”

“I didn’t think you would either.I was really worried when I didn’t hear from you, but I didn’t want to overreact in case something had come up.”

“I’m sorry you were worried.”

He shrugged.“That’s my nature.Fifteen years as a police officer has made me into a worst-case-scenario thinker.”

“In this case, you were right to be worried.”

“I had a feeling something was wrong, but I didn’t want you to think you’d been seeing a psycho, so I held off reaching out to Deb.I wish I hadn’t done that.”

“It’s silly, isn’t it?The stuff we worry about when a relationship is new and we’re getting to know each other.”

“Exactly.I tend to overthink everything, which is also thanks to my job.The last woman I was seeing said I was too intense for her, which was in my head when I held off on sounding the alarm on you not responding to me.I didn’t think I had the right to overreact on your behalf.At least not yet.”

“Please don’t blame yourself for something other people did, Archie.I don’t blame you.”

A knock sounded at his door.“That’ll be Detective Lucas.”He released her hand and got up, shaken to his soul by her nearness, her sweetness, her beauty and her courage.It felt like his life was changing forever with every minute he spent with her.Did he want his life to change forever?If it meant having her in it, maybe so.

He opened the door to Erica, who held up a canvas bag.“Clothes and toiletries.”

“Thanks, Erica.She’ll appreciate having her own stuff.”

“No problem.”

“Come in.”

He led Erica to the living room, where Harlowe greeted her with a smile.“Thank you so much for your help, Erica.”

“Glad to do it.You’re looking much better today.”

“I feel a little better.I just wish I could remember things.”

“That’ll come.”Erica sat in a chair across from Harlowe.“Archie told you that your parents are coming to town today?”

“He did.”

“I’m picking them up at the airport when they arrive.Do I have your permission to speak freely with them about what to expect when they see you?”

“I… I mean, I guess so?I feel like there was some tension between us, but I can’t remember why.It’s all a blank.”

“I’ve fully investigated them.”She withdrew several sheets of paper from a portfolio she’d brought.“There were photos of you on their social media, which I’ve also provided.”

Archie ached for her as she sifted through the pages, looking for clues about who she was and where she’d come from.“Does any of it look familiar?”he asked after several minutes had passed in silence.

“It does.I remember them, but not what’s been going on between us lately.”

“It’s okay,” Archie said.“It’s only been a week since you suffered a serious head injury.It’ll take some time.”

“How much time?”she asked, her eyes full of tears.“I don’t remember things about my own parents.”

“It’ll take as long as it takes,” he said gently.“I know that’s not what you want to hear, but that’s the best I can do.”

She wiped away tears.“I know.It’s not your fault or Erica’s.I’m sorry to be cranky.”

“Anyone would be after what you’ve been through,” Erica said.“You don’t have to apologize.”

---