Page 59 of Last Seen
She loads the chambers, gives the barrel a spin, clicks it into place, and sights down on her dad’s favorite sweater.
“Come at me now, bitch.”
Despite her desire to get on the road early, Halley sleeps later than she wanted. She needed the rest; she feels sharper than she has in days. She takes care of the cat, gives him a good brushing, downs her coffee, and is heading out the door when Theo calls.
“Are you okay? What’s happening?”
Halley fills him in, leaving out only the part about the note with her name on it. If she tells him that, he’ll be on a plane to Virginia before she can blink, and going AWOL isn’t taken lightly, no matter the service you’re in. She takes heart from the knowledge that he would throw everything away for her and leaves it there.
“You think someone is after you in Marchburg?”
“Don’t think. Know. There’s no question in my mind. Which is why I’m getting the hell out of Dodge.”
“Where are you going to go? Back home?”
“Brockville.”
“Um, may I remind you that your sister went missing from that place?”
“I know. That’s why I have to go there, Theo. I have to find out what happened. I just have a gut sense that it holds the answers.”
“Can you wait until this weekend? I’ll be home Sunday, I can go with you.”
“I appreciate that, but I don’t want to stick around here. And honestly? I need to do this now. Before anyone else is hurt. Before anyone else is killed because of me. I can’t let Kater’s death be in vain. And I can’t just sit here waiting for them to come for me. A moving target is a lot harder to hit. You know that.”
“Yeah, but ... Please, Halley. Wait for me, at least. It’s just a couple of days.”
“I’ll be back in DC by then. Promise. I’m going to Brockville, then straight home.”
“At least take someone with you from town. Don’t you have an old boyfriend or two hanging around who can help protect you?”
“I sure do. His name is Smith Wesson. And he’s the best protector I could have.”
She can tell he’s fighting back a frustrated laugh. “Seriously, Theo, you know I can handle myself. Now that I have my guard up, no one’s going to sneak in and surprise me. And if they do? Pow.”
“Pow. Shit, Halley. Be careful.”
“You know I will. I can’t just sit here, Theo. You know that. And I’ve been trained to do this. I’m going to hunt down Cat and find out why she killed my mother. I know there are answers out there.”
“Just ... be careful. I love you, girl.” But this time he hangs up before she can hesitate or respond, protecting himself.
She stares at the black screen of her phone. So he loves her. Again. Twice in one week.
Months of nothing but arguing over her desire to have kids, then him pulling away, avoiding her, avoiding the conversation, or blowing up at her with the strain. Months of her heart shriveling up every time he kissed her good night on the forehead instead of the mouth, then him not coming home until well after she was asleep, then just not bothering at all, sleeping on the couch in his office. She finally gets sick of their impasse and leaves, andnowhe’s all sorts of regretful? What did he think was going to happen?
It took her leaving for real to wake him up, apparently. She can’t decide if this is good or not. If he wants a second chance and will be open to her wishes, or if he just misses having her around to walk the dog.
Do not get distracted, Halley. Get out while you can.
She tops up the cat’s food and is cautious locking up and getting to the Jeep. There is black fingerprint dust on the passenger door, the hood. A crime scene tech has been here, silent as the grave. She hopes whoever it is, they’re long gone. If she’s not careful, Early will sic Meredith on her and she’ll never get out of here.
At the hospital, Anne is sitting with her dad, and she has to admit that gives her some relief. There’s security here, at least at the entrances, and she wants them all on their toes.
Her father doesn’t fight with her this time. If anything, he seems relieved that she’s leaving. Kater’s death has spooked everyone. They chat for a while, and she arranges times when she will call, and safe words, everything she can think of that will make him feel better about her heading out. Finally, he nods.
“Just be careful, jellybean. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you.”
“Anne, you’ll keep an eye on him, right?”
