Page 85 of Lake
After a sleepless night on a lumpy couch that smelled faintly like sweaty balls, I shuffled to the kitchen finding it empty. It must have been too early for everyone else.
I made coffee, fixing one of the mugs with a dash of sweet creamer and one the way I liked it. Then I did my best to make the journey to my room without spilling the hot liquid and burning the shit out of my hands. I somehow managed to keep a steady hand as I used my elbow to knock on the door.
She answered a second later, showered and already dressed for the day.
“Hi,” she said a little strained.
“Hey,” I said looking into her beautiful eyes that were full of sadness. “I brought you some coffee.”
“Thank you.” She seemed to perk up at that but there was also a bigger wave of sadness that hit her eyes as she stared at the mug in my hand. If I wasn’t mistaken, they seemed to shine with a hint of tears.
She took the cup then walked further into the room. I followed behind and closed the door.
“How is the case going?” I asked.
She let out a long breath and flopped down on the edge of the bed.
“Something is going on. I have not one single fucking clue what and I feel like I’m running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Nothing is making sense and it seems like nothing in that file has been true.”
“You talk to Cable?”
“Yeah, and he just told me what I pretty much already knew,” she said shaking her head. “Then he came to me last night and told me he did some more digging.”
Her lips pinched tight and I saw a flash of anger in her unfocused eyes.
“And?” I prompted.
“I just need to get home. I’m not sure what is going on or why there is a fuck ton of money now sitting in my bank account— well, fuck ton to me.”
My eyes widened. Even I couldn’t come up with a reason for her. That seemed shady as hell and I suddenly didn’t want her going back alone.
“Well, at least I can pay to get my car fixed.”
“About that…”
“What? Don’t tell me you can’t fix it.” She jumped up and started to pace while muttering something about how it didn’t matter and she could just rent a car to get home.
“It’s done.”
“What?” she asked whipping around to look at me.
“Your car is done. I finished it last night. You’re good to go.”
“Oh,” she said looking a little deflated. I couldn’t figure out why.
Okay, maybe I had some idea.
Probably the same reasons why I sounded so sullen when I’d delivered the so-called good news.
“I’m good to go?”
I nodded.
“It’s parked right out there.” I pointed in the direction of the front lot.
“How much do I—”
“Nothing,” I said because I just couldn’t take her money. It didn’t matter that it sounded like she had more than enough to cover it.
