We talked more about the day, and I answered a lot of questions with shrugs. I didn’t tell anyone that I didn’t have the best memory of the whole thing.
So far, the guys hadn’t said anything about me going off on my own when I’d gone to the office by myself.
If I was lucky, they’d stay so happy that we all survived that they’d forget about how I’d gotten kidnapped in the first place.
My phone rang, distracting me from Beatrix explaining what it felt like to be curled up in layers of Jörmungandr. Amazingly enough, the guys had found my phone at the office and thought to shove it in the backpack Mason carried with the twins' clothes. I looked down to see Jim’s number.
It had to be Cheryle, probably wondering why I never called her back after getting to the office.
“Hi Cheryle,” I said when I answered the phone. “The office is fine. How’s Jim doing?”
At least I hoped it was fine. They’d been so frantic to find me that no one could remember if they locked the door after leaving. I couldn’t blame them.
I decided I was too tired to care. If I got back to the office tomorrow and found all the computers stolen, I’d replace them. I was too tired to go back there tonight.
“I’m doing fine,” Jim answered with a light chuckle.
“Jim, it’s so good to hear your voice,” I exclaimed. I struggled to get up so I could walk outside to hear him better. Marduk easily lifted me to my feet, then he and Danzig followed me out the bar’s front door. It was dark outside, but the area was still busy.
I didn’t mind that the guys stuck close. After everything that happened, I didn’t want to be alone right now.
I might not want to be alone for a long time.
“How are you feeling?” I asked. “Are you still in the hospital?”
“My head hurts, and my vision is a little weird, but other than that I’m fine,” he said. “They’re probably going to send me home tomorrow.”
“That’s great,” I said. “I’ll go into the office tomorrow and make sure everyone knows you’ll be out for a while. I don’t think you’ve got many open cases right now anyway.”
“That’s one of the things I was going to ask you,” he said. “I was working on a case when I was attacked. The police are dealing with it now. I might need you to pull some files to give to them.”
He had to be talking about Lars. I paused, trying to figure out how much to tell him. “Um, so, first I want you to know that the man who hit you is gone.”
This time, he paused before asking a one-word question. “Gone?”
“I can’t tell you more, but I promise that he’s not a threat,” I said.
Jim was silent for so long that I pulled the phone away from my ear to check that we were still connected.
“Close the case and refund the Justice for the Voiceless group,” Jim ordered. “Tell them it’s above our ability as a small business. If any police or detectives ask you about anything, you were never involved in the case. Do you understand?”
He sounded so worried that I made a soothing sound. “It’s going to be okay, Jim. I'll do as you ask, but you don't need to worry.”
That was true. It was nearly impossible to convict when there were no bodies. Any evidence the authorities found linking me or the guys to Gale’s and Lar’s disappearances would be circumstantial at best.
“I hate the sound of that,” Jim said, then let out a long breath. “And my head hurts.”
“Rest,” I murmured. “I’ll take care of the office until you feel better. No matter how long it takes.”
“Do not accept any clients,” he barked, then moaned. I heard Cheryle and Kevin in the background demanding Jim get off the phone.
“Good night,” I said. “We can talk tomorrow.”
Then I ended the call. Thinking of Hugo reminded me that we’d left the poor dog alone for a long time.
“We should go home,” I said. “Hugo is probably desperate. Let’s say goodbye.”
Before we could walk back into the bar, a bunch of people were coming out, including Victor.
