AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The muffled jingle of her cell phone broke through their conversation. She looked around, trying to locate the sound, and placed Gilligan back on the floor.
“I hung your purse on the coat rack. I’ll grab it.” Gus returned a moment later and handed her the bag. Her fingers passed over her wallet and cold metal house keys before grasping the device.
She glanced at the screen and frowned. “Hello?”
“A detective showed up at my home today, and I want to know what you said to bring the cops to my doorstep.” Even though she hadn’t heard her uncle’s voice in years, the raspy, nicotine-hardened tone was unmistakable.
“Nothing.” She flicked her gaze to Gus, who was now standing against the counter island, arms crossed, brow furrowed. “I’m sure it’s just standard procedure.”
“Bullshit. You got caught up in something, now you’re out there running your mouth, shifting the blame. You’ve been a splinter in my ass from day one.” He was fired up, breath heaving through the receiver like static hiss.
It was a wonder she could even hear her uncle’s accusations over the ringing in her ears, and the second helping of lasagna she’d eaten cemented in her stomach. “The only thing I told the detectives who interviewed me was that we don’t stay in touch.” The quiver in her voice brought a wave of shame over her. She had nothing to feel sorry for.
“Don’t expect that to change. I told your aunt she’s done with you. After taking you in, putting clothes on your back, you still point the finger at us.”
“That is what you did—all you did,” she spat. “You provided for my most basic needs but forgot that I was a child who needed to be nurtured and not treated like a burden. I lost everything, and you got rich off of it. I know about the settlement you received. Not once did I ask for a penny, and you sure as hell didn’t offer. Most people might think to put some of that into a trust, helping me get on my feet as an adult, but not you. I owe you nothing.” She didn’t wait for a response, just hung up the phone and pressed the heels of her hands into her eyes. The weight of Gus’s hand rested on her back.
“Proud of you,” he said in a low voice.
She shifted to look at him, and the rage swarming in his eyes stole her breath. The fact that he was angry on her behalf made her feel less alone. “I didn’t realize someone had interviewed them already.”
She didn’t care that he’d overheard the conversation. If she’d wanted privacy, she would’ve asked for it. “Already?”
“Why don’t we go sit in the living room. Talk.” He took a step back and held out his hand. She slipped hers against his and found an anchor for the wild emotions tossing inside her. Easing the dog off of her feet, she stood and followed Gus into the adjoining room. Pictures of Gus with his sister and brothers hung on the wall over the earth-toned couch. The room looked comfortable and lived in with a fuzzy throw blanket slung over cushions and magazines tossed on the coffee table.
She sat on the edge of the couch, with Gus close beside her. “You knew they were going to be interviewed?”
“I think we need to look at everyone who’s close to you. Or your parents and brother.” He angled his head to look at her and set his elbows against his knees.
“My circle’s extremely small.” Nearly nonexistent because of one horrific incident.
He nodded. “Your aunt and uncle, your agent, and Ted.” His mouth was set in a hardline.
“My agent? And Ted? He wouldn’t hurt anyone. He’s always been there for me. Besides, he has an alibi for the night Melissa disappeared.” There was a sickly-sweet burn in her throat. Her childhood friend didn’t have anything to do with this.
“Then he has nothing to be concerned about, and neither do you.”
“Okay, yeah.” She sighed. “You’re right. I just … I hate dragging people into my mess.”
“If I could somehow spare you from all this, I would.” He brushed a curl away from her face, even though it sprang right back where it was. Still, the gesture was kind and gave her a sense of comradery, but more, it made her heart pound. The lust that shimmered in his eyes made her gulp. Gus was trying to hold back, but all she could think of was what would happen if that string of control snapped.
“Did either of your parents have close friends? Maybe your brother had a girlfriend, boyfriend?” He sat upright on the couch.
For the next half an hour, she pushed herself to remember every family acquaintance while Gus jotted down the names on a piece of paper. There weren’t many she could recall, but he assured her whatever she could give would be enough. When her phone vibrated with an incoming text, she grabbed it off the coffee table. She hadn’t bothered to check her missed calls or text messages after the conversation with her uncle, but she could see now that she had several.
Ted: Just making sure you’re okay. Someone posted on Facebook that there was trouble at the gala.
Ted: Sash?
Ted: I’m starting to get worried. Please call as soon as you can.
Ted: If you don’t respond in twenty minutes, I’m going to start calling every hospital and morgue in Boston.
Ted: What. Is. Going. On?
Ted: I’m freaking out. News says there was an explosion at the hotel. CALL ME!!!
“Oh, no. Poor Ted’s been texting me since last night.” Her fingers were already in motion, typing out a message to let him know she was okay.
