Page 82 of Hack
"No, they understand. Xander might have a few choice words for you at some point, but they all get why you need time." Archer set the phone down. "Is there anything you're going to need or want that I can get for you?"
Carter stirred a nugget into the sauce packet, and shook his head. "I don't think so. Have you heard anything about Lyle? Were the girls saved?"
Archer nodded. "All seven girls were saved and reunited with their families. The media isn't saying much, and I haven't talked to Trenton or Matt to find out if they are following police reports or anything. I do know, the woman with Lyle was Rebecca Masdone. She was taken when she was seven. Seems Lyle kept her around as a mother-figure for the girls. She is suffering from a severe case of Stockholm Syndrome. The news said very little about her for obvious reasons."
Carter nodded. "The brothers, Luis and Levitt?"
"No word yet, but I'm guessing they're being questioned." They were all questions that Archer wanted answers to, but he didn't have any way to find out things. Carter was the person who would know how to find out what the media wasn't talking about, and he was in no shape to start digging.
"I guess Xander told you everything?" Carter stared down at his food.
"I'm not sure it was everything, but he told me enough."
Carter rubbed his eyes. "I killed him."
Archer nodded. "I know."
"No, I mean fast. I didn't make him suffer. Not much anyway. I'd planned to…" Carter shook his head. "The anger was so strong. Once I started, I couldn't stop."
"It's okay. You did what was right."
"I should have made him suffer more."
"Hopefully, there is a place in Hell for men like him. If we're lucky, he'll have an eternity of suffering ahead of him."
Carter took a drink, then started gathering his wrappers. He stood, taking them to the trash. "Can I borrow some sweats or shorts, maybe a couple of t-shirts, then show me where I can shower?"
"Sure." Archer left his food on the table and took Carter upstairs. "There are eight bedrooms. Mine is the one at the end of the hall. You take any of the others you want. The only ones without a bathroom are the first two after the stairs." Archer kept walking to his room.
Carter followed, staying right behind him. "Nice place."
"My parents enjoyed it." Archer shrugged. "For me, it's just a place to lay my head." He pushed his door open and went to the dresser. He pulled out a couple of pairs of sweats, two pairs of shorts, and then a few t-shirts. "As I said, come in and get whatever you need. Socks and boxers are in these drawers, the closet is more dress-type clothes. While there are small bottles of soap and shampoo in your bathroom, if you want the nicer stuff, feel free to use my shower. Use whatever you need. There are a clean toothbrush and comb in each bathroom. Seriously, act like the place is yours. Don't hesitate to take what you need."
Carter looked at the stuff in his arms. "Thank you."
"Of course." Archer wanted to go to him, wrap his arms around him, and take away his pain, but it wasn't going to be that easy, and from the way Carter was acting, it was the last thing he needed right now. He needed a friend, not a lover. If Archer went to him now, he risked ruining everything between them. Carter was with his wife right now, and he needed to say goodbye to her before he would be able to even think about being with Archer in any serious capacity. "As I said, feel free to use my shower if you want. I'm going to finish eating. Yell if you need anything, but I'll leave you alone unless you call for me."
Carter nodded.
Leaving him alone was the hardest thing he had to do, but it was the right thing. He'd honestly thought that Carter would fight him on even coming back to the house, so things were going better than he'd expected.
He made his way downstairs, thinking over all the things he needed to do while home. First was head to the store. He'd wait, make sure Carter was settled, then he'd go. He'd stock the fridge with simple things that Carter could pick at, then he'd cook dinner every night for them. It would be up to Carter if he wanted to join him. As long as Carter ate, he didn't care what or when.
He hoped Carter would shower, pick a bedroom, and sleep for a day, but in his state of mind, who knew what would happen. He guessed Carter would head back to the cemetery in the morning, and that was okay. He wouldn't try to stop him. If that was what he needed right now, so be it.
He checked his phone as he sat down to finish his burger and smiled seeing a simple thank you from Bryon. He was glad he'd met the team. It was good to know that if for some reason Carter pushed him away, the others would be there for him.
It was impossible to know what was going to happen next. Right now, Carter was too tired to think straight. He needed rest, and hopefully, after he got that, he'd talk more. Something told Archer it was going to be a long road, but he wanted to be there when they reached the end of it.
