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“Nothing,” I say, passing her as I walk into the café.
Charlie locks the door, and I get to work without another word. I don’t want to dwell on Christopher, the recording, or if the car I saw could be the same one outside my place this morning.
Charlie follows my lead working alongside me in silence all morning. She mentioned being a little hungover, so I don’t think it bothered her at all. I know I welcome it. Especially with a million thoughts running through my mind.
Before I know it, the coffees are brewed, the pastry cases are filled, our mess is cleaned, and all before Irene walks through the door.
“Morning, ladies,” she greets us more enthusiastically than her usual Monday greeting.
I stride into the office behind her. “Hey, Irene, would it be okay if I use the café printer for a few things today?” I try not to let on how important this is. I don’t want to answer questions right now. I’m too on-edge today.
She glances over. “Sure. Whenever you’re ready.” Her eyes wander back down to where she’s working at her desk.
“Great, thanks!” I reply.
I hurry to grab the Chromebook, and I’m back in a flash. I pull up the pictures and press print. Just as I do, I hear commotion in the dining area.Shit, it’s time to open. Irene is busy and focused on paperwork when I look at her. I’ll have to come back to this.
I quickly hit the cancel button, close the Chromebook, and place it back in my bag before hanging it on a chair in the office.
As usual, the morning rush is a blur. It’s mostly regulars, so we get them in and out quickly. Jack soon comes in wearing a look of concern.
“Morning, Jack,” I say, getting his coffee ready.
“Sorry I wasn’t up this morning to drive you in. I must have forgotten to set my alarm,” he says, apologetically.
I smile softly. “No worries. I can walk. It’s not a problem at all.”
“I’ll make it up to you. Dinner at my place tonight?” he asks with a panty melting smile.
Heat rises to my cheeks, and I know a blush is spreading there. “Sure, that sounds great.”
Ugh. The things his smile does to me.
“See you this evening,” he says, tossing a tip into the jar as he walks away. I give him a small wave and get back to work.
As Charlie gets the last customer, I head back to Irene’s office to try again to print the pictures. She looks at me as I come through the door, brows furrowed. She’s at the printer, holding paper in her hands.
“You want to talk about these, kid?” She turns the papers around.
My hand covers my mouth as my eyes widen at the realization my pictures printed despite me canceling them. How can I possibly explain these? I shake my head. She’s never pressed me before, and I send up a silent prayer that now will be no different.
Walking over to me, she points at a chair. “Sit.” She moves to close the office door.
Nope. Not so lucky this time.
I sit in the chair in front of her desk, and she takes her seat behind it and across from me. She spreads the pictures across her desk in front of us.
“Is this who you’re hiding from?” she asks, pointing to Swank in the picture.
“No,” I reply curtly, choosing to not elaborate.
Irene picks up the screenshots of the texts from Christopher’s burner phone, and she reads them over before placing them back on her desk. She rubs her temples for a moment, like she’s deciding how to word her next sentence.
“This is real danger, Andi.” Her eyes bore into mine now.
I nod. “I know. I’m sorry—” I start, but she holds up her hand in protest.
“No, no. Do not mistake my words. You don’t owe me an apology, and I will not accept one.” She pauses, and I make no effort to speak. She’s clearly determined to drive home her next point. “I think the time has come. There’s no choice. Jackhasto know, Andi. He’s in law enforcement. Beyond that, he’s agoodman who deserves the truth. Even if you don’t tell me, you have to tell him.” Her tone is matter of fact, and there’s no room for negotiating.
