Page 47 of Hunting the Truth
“You do?” Pops asked.
“I do.” Maya glanced at Josh, who now had his poker face on. It was the neutral face he used when he listened to people tell him both sides of the story. Somehow this only irritated Maya further. After she found Eric Torres, she had to figure out her relationship with Josh. Friends? Or were they more? She was tired of trying to guess. “The memory came back when I found the bracelet. He came to our house that night demanding something. I went and hid in the closet, so I don’t know what he wanted, but based on what Abigail told us, I bet he was looking for the evidence Mom hid. When she refused to give it to him, he killed her.”
“Why would he take the bracelet and then lose it at a crime scene twenty-four years later?” Josh asked, finally speaking up.
“I don’t know,” Maya said. “But I know what I remember.”
They all stood in silence staring at the ground. Juniper gave a grunt and a sigh and then stood, shaking off the dirt from lying on the ground.
“I’m going to head into town,” Maya said. “I can’t stand being here any longer and seeing everything I owned destroyed. I need to get some clothes, toiletries and dog food for Juniper. I’ll stay the night at my office. There’s a pretty comfortable couch, and Juniper’s dog bed is there. Plus, I need somewhere quiet to write up my witness statement. I just need to get out of here.”
“You still have clothes at the house,” Pops said. “I know some of it is from a while ago, maybe even high school, but you could see if anything fits. And you’re welcome to crash at the house until you figure out what you want to do. You’re always welcome, you know that.”
“Thanks, Pops. I’ll see if any of those clothes still fit. And thanks for the offer to stay with you. I just want to be on my own right now. Process everything, you know?”
“I understand,” Pops said.
Maya knew he did too. They were a lot alike.
Josh stood quietly and Maya hesitated. She knew he wanted her to stay with him, but she didn’t need protection. She had to admit, there was a part of her that wanted to be with him, but somehow, she wasn’t ready for that even if it didn’t mean anything more than a friendship where she stayed in the guest bedroom. It would start rumors she wasn’t ready for, and she was so used to being on her own.
They stood there awkwardly, and Pops stared back and forth between them.
Before he could say anything, Maya said, “Okay then. I’ll be in touch.”
She started toward her patrol vehicle. Luckily, she had left the keys in the car when she ran the track because she hadn’t wanted to risk losing them in the woods. She’d forgotten to go back and get them. Juniper seemed a little bit more herself as she kept in sync with Maya.
“Maya. Wait.”
She hesitated. It was Josh. She turned around. “What?”
“I just... I just wanted you to know again that you can stay with me anytime. I’m not trying to be some macho guy protecting you, but if Eric Torres is after you, it’s worse if you’re on your own. Safety in numbers.”
“I know, Josh. Look, I really appreciate your offer, but I just need to be alone. Think things through.”
“Yeah, okay.”
There was something she needed to ask. Juniper sat by her side and gave a big sigh. “I’ll call you and check in. Let you know everything is okay. I promise. Will I be able to reach you? You’ve been kind of hard to get ahold of lately.”
“I’ll be around, and I’ll answer if you call,” Josh said, stepping closer. He tucked a loose piece of hair behind Maya’s ear and let his hand linger there for a minute. “I’m sorry I haven’t been available. I should have let you know what was going on.”
“Are you doing okay? I mean, I know you’re a lot further along with your recovery but with everything going on it’s been tough for me. I’m sure you have days like that too. You need anything?”
“No, but I have gone to extra meetings,” Josh said, getting that faraway look in his eyes again. “I don’t know why, but I’ve been having horrible cravings for drugs and alcohol. I went to the bar and even ordered a beer. Sat there and stared at it until I got up and left. I knew if I even took one sip, all these years of sobriety would be gone. And all I could think about was you.”
“Me?” Maya asked. Her heart rate quickened.
“You. I didn’t want to disappoint you. So, I left and talked with my sponsor. So anyway, that’s where I’ve been. Your grandfather knows. He’s supporting me through this, but remember when I told you sobriety could be beautiful?”
“I do,” she said. “You made it sound pretty perfect.”
“Yeah, well, it’s also difficult. It’s a constant battle.”
“I hear you on that one,” Maya said. “I thought maybe it was because I’m only a few months in.”
“I think there’s ups and downs like that, but I went to several meetings and I’m better. For now. So anyway, that’s why I’ve been hard to get ahold of. I just wanted you to know.”
“Thank you,” Maya said, reaching out and placing her hand on his shoulder. “Thanks for being honest. I promise I’ll check in with you.”
