Page 51 of Saving Meadow

She smiled and walked into her office, or her old office, and started to clear off her desk. I looked at the coffee again and considered tossing it in the trash, but hello, it was a large vanilla, with extra cream and two sugars. I took a tentative sip making sure it was coffee and not something gross. As apologetic as she was, she was still Beth. I wouldn’t put it past her to put vinegar in my drink to get a good laugh at me. However, it was delicious and exactly what I needed to finish putting these files back together so I could leave. If I left within the next five minutes, I’d have time to stop at the store and still be home before Nick.

I grabbed my phone off my desk and sent a quick text to Veronica Venus.

Me: You’ll never guess what just happened?

I tossed my phone on my desk and by the time I finished arranging the last file my head was throbbing. Thank God, I was done. The excitement of the day had worn off, and fatigue had set in. I wasn’t surprised, I had been up since about 3 a.m., and was nonstop busy all day. I grabbed my purse out of my bottom drawer and flung it over my shoulder. Forget the grocery store; I was too tired to cook; I’d call in a pizza when I got to Nick’s.

I grabbed my phone off my desk and noticed I had a text notification from Veronica Venus.

VV21: What?

I was so exhausted the words swam on my screen as I tapped out my message.

Me: Funny story. I’m leaving work now.

I glanced at my now empty cup and was reminded I had to say something to Beth before I left. But what? See ya around? Apology accepted? Thanks for the coffee? I knew what I wanted to say; good riddance, but that was too mean. Even after all the years of torture.

Why couldn’t I just be a bitch and leave without saying something?

I peeked into Beth’s office, and she was on her phone, thumbs flying across her screen. She looked busy; maybe I could slip out without saying goodbye, I wouldn’t want to disturb her. The moment I’d talked myself into leaving Beth looked up. Damn, eye contact, now I had to say something.

My phone vibrated in my hand, and I was given a reprieve.

VV21: Tell me, the suspense is killing me.

Me: Give me five minutes. Text you from the car.

I hit send and chanced looking back up. Beth’s phone beeped, and she smirked before she looked back down. I knew that smile; it normally came right before she spewed out a nasty comment. I watched as she fiddled with her phone, my headache getting worse by the second.

I was leaving. She was busy, and I had the shakes so bad I didn’t know if it was my phone vibrating or if all the caffeine I’d had was taking its toll. I needed to get home and take a nap and get rid of this headache.

VV21: Okay.

I blinked, trying to focus on the message. The small letters on the screen danced, and I couldn’t focus on them.

Damn my head hurt. The more I blinked to clear my vision, the longer it took for me to pull my lids open again. I pitched forward and stumbled trying to find purchase before I hit the floor.

“Humph.” I knocked into something.

“Careful, you clumsy idiot.”

No.

No.

No.

I knew that voice.

23

Too wrapped up

“There’s nothing wrong with her. She’s attuned to your emotions. You’re wound tighter than a banjo,” Joel said.

“He’s right you know,” Mandy added. “Ninety percent of human communication is nonverbal. Sally is astute; she senses a change in your body language. Research shows that canines can detect cardiac episodes and are able to alert their owners before it happens. It was originally thought it was because they could detect a change in electromagnetic waves; however, that’s not the case. It boils down to smell. Humans give off an odor as a result of chemicals being released into our bloodstream before an episode or when we’re anxious. You need to dial it back. She can smell you.”

“How the hell can I dial it back when the unsub more than likely works with Meadow. She is in a building with a woman that not only tried to kill her but has successfully butchered fifteen other women.”