“The man from the lineup was just in my office,” I say.
A beat.
“Who?”
“The guy you’re pushing. He came in here.”
There’s a shift in his tone instantly. “What do you mean he came in there?”
“He walked right into my office. How would he know where to find me?”
Silence.
Then—
“Stay where you are,” Barnett says. Firm. Controlled. “I’m sending a unit over now. Sit tight.”
The line goes dead.
Chapter 18
Nathan
The next day, I’m back in Dr. Pembrooke’s office. It’s quiet in that way that makes you hear your own thoughts too clearly.
“How has your week been, Nathan?”
I sit in silence, picturing every moment from the week like a stressful highlight reel. “Interesting,” I say after the mental reel ends.
My hands are sweaty. I realize I haven’t taken a breath in… I don’t even know how long.
“I had sex with someone,” I blurt. The words land heavier than I expect. “A woman from my building. Her name’s Ella.”
Dr. Pembrooke doesn’t react. She never does. She just watches me with that calm, steady patience. “And how did that make you feel?” she asks.
“It felt…” I drag a hand down my face.” It felt real…It was beautiful. Honest. For those few minutes, I felt… normal.” I swallow.
“But when reality kicked in?”
“I left,” I confess quietly. “Just… walked out. Left her sitting there. Confused. Hurt.” I look up, waiting for judgment.
There is none. The words hang between us.
Then, my phone buzzes.
Once.
I ignore it.
It buzzes again.
Then again.
Dr. Pembrooke tilts her head slightly. “It’s okay, Nathan. You can answer that.”
I hesitate, then pick up my phone and start reading the texts.
Bishop:Hey, where are you?
