Page 58 of Broken: Taylor

Chapter 25

Someone was there. Allison wasn’t sure what woke her, but whatever it was had her instantly wide-awake. She sat up in the bed and craned her neck listening intently.

Knocks? Yes, there were three knocks followed by another three. She slipped from the bed to look out of the window. A truck was parked on the street. It looked to be the same model as either Taylor’s or Tobias’.

Jerking on her robe, she went downstairs and upon seeing the expression instantly went into panic mode. Something about the hollowness in Taylor’s eyes made her stomach sink. Whatever brought him there so late, or early as it was, had to be bad.

Allison jerked the door open and stepped back. As soon as he walked through the door, she threw her arms around him. Taylor held her tight, his face buried in her hair.

“What happened?” She finally managed while hoping he’d not say.

He didn’t speak, instead moved back and reached to close the door. “I’m sorry to come here so late. I need to crash for a couple hours. Is that okay?”

“Yes. Of course. Did you and Eric have a fight or something?”

Searching her face as if not understanding her question, Taylor frowned.

Considering he seemed to be in some sort of haze, Allison took his hand. “Let’s go upstairs, I’ll help you. Would you like a drink?”

“Yeah. That would be good.”

In silence, he watched her, not speaking while she poured port into two small glasses. “Sorry, it’s the strongest thing I have.”

He eyed the glass and drank half of the contents. “It’s good.”

“Yeah, I buy it every year at a winery in Portland.”

Shadows flickered in his gaze when he looked directly at her for the first time since arriving. “Felicia died today.”

“Oh my God.” Allison could feel her eyes grow wide. “What happened?”

“Domestic gone real bad. Both she and her partner were gunned down.”

Allison’s knees weakened. The woman was so full of life, so strong. When she’d come to warn her to treat Taylor right, she’d not pulled any punches. Even if Allison didn’t particularly care for her, she’d respected Felicia’s faithful friendship to Taylor and to her career.

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and rested her head next to his. “I’m so sorry. So very sorry.”

When the sun rose, just a short time later, Taylor remained awake. He was exhausted, but his mind refused to shut down. Captain Morris had warned him off trying to do anything about the shooting.

The gunmen had been arrested and waited indictment. Investigators were at the scene ensuring every single item was not just collected, but also double-checked. They would ensure not one loophole would be available for any scumbag lawyer to use and potentially free the killers.

Taylor had gone over there after leaving the hospital. Out of respect for having been Felicia’s partner, they’d allowed him free rein. That was until Morris arrived.

It didn’t matter what the Captain instructed. He’d ensure the sons of bitches that killed her never got away with it. Not only would they serve time for the murders, but also he’d find as much dirt as possible on them. So much fucking dirt, they’d never know life outside of prison again.

Eyes like sandpaper, he limped to the window and blinked at the rising sun in the horizon.

Another day had begun. It was the first one without Felicia in it. She’d always said that when she kicked it, her funeral better be a good one. Although morbid, spending long hours together had meant they’d talked about a lot of stuff.

Though most of the other deputies considered Felicia hard, he’d known under her tough exterior was the heart of a lion and but also the softness of a woman who cared too much. It had been the reason for how their relationship had progressed. They’d both not known how to deal with being apart after the shooting and had used sex to connect.

Although it had been passionate, there had never been more than friendship and eventually they’d come to realize it. Now though he’d give anything to be back in the hotel room arguing with her about what an asshole he was.

There was shuffling in the other room. Allison had finally stopped trying to convince him to get some sleep and had gone to bed. Although originally he did plan to sleep, once he was alone, too many thoughts had invaded.

“Taylor?” She came from the bedroom and stopped at seeing him at the window. “Did you get any rest?”

Rest no. Sleep either. “Yeah some. Thanks.”