Page 81 of Hack
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Archer parked in the large garage, turned off the car, and watched Carter for a moment. He was sound asleep, his head against the side window. He looked horrible. His eyes were puffy, his skin pale, and the fact he was in clothes that were three times his size made him look too thin and almost like he was ill.
When he'd first found him at the cemetery, he hadn't approached right away. He'd watched, almost afraid that Carter would send him away if he interrupted whatever it was that he was going through, but the more he watched, the more he just couldn't sit back and wait. Carter was hurting, and if Archer could do anything to help ease that pain, he wanted to.
He wasn't shocked that this was all hitting Carter so hard. It had been clear before he'd even killed Lyle that Carter hadn't ever taken the time to grieve his daughter and wife's deaths the way he should. From all he'd heard, Carter had turned his focus to solving the murder and avenging it instead of grieving like most people would.
Then he created the team with Bryon.
It was clear from that point on that Carter had thrown himself into his work. Carter admitted that he never took time off and was a control freak when it came to the team. This breakdown was a long time coming, and all Archer could do now was let it play out, no matter how long it took.
"Cart, wake up. We're home." Archer gently rubbed Carter's thigh.
He came awake instantly with a jolt, sitting up and looking around as if he was confused where they were.
"You're at my house. I just parked in the garage. I've got food for us. You able to get inside?" Even though Carter had seemed okay, if he hadn't eaten or slept in days, there was a chance that exhaustion was kicking in.
"Yeah." Carter ran his fingers through his hair. "Sorry, didn't mean to sleep."
"It's okay. You need it. Once you get food, I'll show you to your room. You can shower and sleep." Archer opened the door and stepped out, then leaned back in to get the bag of food and two large drinks he'd bought.
"This is yours?" Carter looked around the garage.
"Yeah. I'm not here a lot, but this is home." Archer looked around, remembering when the place was full of life. It might have been only him and his parents, but there were staff, maids, groundskeepers. You were never really alone. Now, it was empty, filled with things, but no life.
"What's under the tarp?" Carter asked as he pointed across the garage to the car that was covered.
"It was my first car. A '67 Fastback Mustang. I haven't had her out in years." He'd loved the car, but he wasn't home enough to drive her much. He had his Toyota that he used most of the time, especially if he was working and wanted to blend in.
"You'll have to show her to me later." Carter wandered around the car, his steps slow, showing how tired he was.
"Once you've rested, I'll show you the whole place." He nodded to the door that led from the house to the garage since his hands were full. "Can you open that?"
"Sure. Want help carrying?" Carter pushed the door open.
"I'm good." Archer walked in, heading straight for the kitchen.
"Wow, nice place." Carter glanced around.
"Yeah, it's okay. I should have sold it years ago and gotten something smaller, but I never got around to it. Honestly, I like the yard." He set the food on the table as Carter sat down. "While you're here, make yourself at home. We're the only ones here. The pool guy comes once a week, the cleaning crew for the house once a month, and the landscaper once a week. Other than that, it's just us. Act like the place is yours." He pushed a box of nuggets to Carter, then set his own food out.
"Thanks, I won't be here long." Carter picked up a fry.
"You stay as long as you want. I've got stuff to work on. You won't even have to interact with me if you don't want. You can take the Mustang or the Jeep that are in the garage if you want to go out. Keys are hanging on the hook by the door to the garage. Once you eat, I'll show you to a bedroom upstairs. Downstairs is a small gym, a rec room, and the laundry room. Use the pool, walk the yard, do whatever you want." He wasn't sure what Carter's plans were, but he needed him to know he had free reign of the place in hopes that he wouldn't take off and disappear again. "There's an office down that hall." He motioned with his hand. "But I'm not sure my old computer is up to par for what you do. Still, feel free to use it."
"Thanks." Carter was focused on his food.
Archer wasn't sure what to say or do. He feared pushing Carter away, but he also wanted him to know he was here if he needed to talk. "There are clothes in my room. Help yourself to any you want."
Carter glanced down at his dirty sweats. "Yeah, guess I should hit a store." He took a deep breath.
"When you're ready. There's enough in my room to keep us both clothed for a year without doing laundry."
Carter glanced up, meeting Archer's gaze. "I just need some time."
"Which is okay. That's why this place works well for you. Take all the time you need and no one, including myself, will bother you. I'll stock the kitchen, make sure you have what you need, but other than that, I'll leave you alone. You come to me if you need anything." He pulled out his phone. "I'm sending a message to Bryon right now, letting him know you're safe and will be in touch with him when you're ready." He quickly sent a text, sure that Bryon was worried.
"Are they mad?" Carter asked.
