Page 34 of Breaking Point
“It has to be a mistake,” Caelen said.
“Yes,” Luciana said firmly.“It is a mistake.A ghastly one.We will figure that out.Tomorrow.”
“I have to work tomorrow,” Caelen said, her tone diffident.“I failed to show up this afternoon…”
“Then you must work,” Luciana told her.“I can take the day to figure this out.”Yes.She would fight this, whatever it was.
The memory of Brice’s solid, unmoving features popped into her mind.She would fight him, too, if she had to.Brice had made it clear what side he was on.
Despite her determination and the rudiments of a plan, Luciana didn’t sleep at all that night.The bed was too big and too empty.
?
“I told you this morning to set up the next walk-and-talk for the day after tomorrow!”Brice said, while Cathi stood just inside the door of his office and shrunk in upon herself.And that spineless shrinking of hers irritated him even more.“Stop looking like that, and get out there and get it done.I want a full schedule on my desk before you leave tonight!”
Cathi slipped around the edge of the door and shut it.
Brice swore and went back to his desk.He had been standing at the window once more.From there, he could see the dark spots on the floor of the Aventine where the arena had once stood.All the rubble had gone.
They were talking about building an amphitheater there now.
Bronson stepped in and shut the door softly.“I heard what you told Cathi just now.”
“Was I talking too loudly?Sorry.”He slapped at the emitter that had switched off, re-generating the screen.
“You were shouting, Brice,” Bronson said.
Brice looked up.“I was?Then she deserved it.Everyone seems to have fallen asleep around here lately.”
“Is that how you see it?”
Brice frowned.He wasn’t in the mood for one of Bronson’s ‘let’s examine our feelings’ sessions.“Not now, Bronson.”
“Yes, now.”Bronson came closer to the desk.“Have you spoken to Luciana since the arrest?”
Brice flinched.“What doyouthink?”
“I think you have to find some way to deal with this.How are you sleeping?”
“Just fine,” Brice ground out.
“Hmm.”Bronson tilted his head.“You’re re-living the arena collapse, aren’t you?”
Brice stared down at the desk in front of him.At the little gouge that had appeared there a few days ago.He couldn’t remember how it had got there.No way was he was going to tell Bronson that he was starting to lose time, that there were moments in the day he couldn’t recall.
“You have to talk to Luciana,” Bronson said.“Get it out.Tell her what is going on.”
Brice lowered his head.“She won’t believe me.It’ll sound like I’m lying just to…to get her back.Not that she would come back, anyway.And I don’t blame her for that.”
“You’re showing every symptom of classic trauma syndrome, Brice,” Bronson said.“Youhaveto deal with this.”
“Iamdealing with it!”Brice roared.
Bronson studied him, his expression calm.
Brice held up his hand.“I’m sorry.I didn’t mean to shout.”
“I know,” Bronson said.“That’s the shitty part.”
