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“Not right now, honey. He had to go.”
Confused, I stared at her. There was something she wasn’t saying, but Sunny spoke up, cutting off my thought before it could evolve into a question. “You’re very popular right now, Klahanie. The authorities have been waiting to talk to you.”
“So, I hear.” I’d squashed a cop. Of course, they wanted to talk to me. Despite the circumstances, I felt a little like I now stood under a huge thunderhead. At any given second, a torrent would unleash to wash me away. But there was nothing I could do but wait for it to happen.
Chapter Forty-Six
Dani glanced at me from her position behind the wheel of her Jeep. At my request, she’d helped me escape the little island hospital earlier than Dr. Heaton would have preferred. He’d stared at me with paternal disappointment and annoyance, and agreed only under my strict promise that I’d contact him the second I felt any symptoms on the huge list he gave me. Well, it wasn’t huge, but long enough to be concerning. I’d agreed, my mind not particularly on my own health.
“Did … the … uh, cops, feds, or whatever, speak to you?”
“Yes.” To my surprise, they hadn’t doubted me. The authorities were all over Jay’s family, property, and following trails of crumbs here, there, and everywhere. Whatever he’d done in his past was about to be split open before the public eye, and it wasn’t going to be pretty. I heard his wife and son had left the island to stay with her parents, and all I could feel was compassion. I couldn’t even imagine how they’d get beyond this.
“And?” She slowed to make a right out of the parking lot, and then made a left onto Central. “Or maybe I’m not supposed to ask?”
I didn’t think anyone on the island had any concrete facts beyond the cabin collapse and Jay’s death, but rumors were likely flying around like angry bees. I hadn’t been told, specifically, not to discuss Jay. I guessed it would be very different if he’d survived. The thing was, I didn’t want to talk about him. He’d appear in my nightmares and waking dreams forever, which was more than enough. “Um, I think it’s all going to hit the fan soon. I don’t know if I can…”
“It’s okay, hun. It’s okay. I know it’s been a fucked couple of days. Just know I’d be happy to listen, if you need an ear, I mean.” She smiled at me, her hair now a fusion of silver and magenta. She and Dean had come looking for me when I pulled a no-show at lunch. It had seemed above and beyond, so when I asked her why, her response had been simple: ‘Klahanie, you don’t pull that shit.’ I wasn’t sure if that was accurate, but her gut response saved me.
“Thank you. I do have a favor to ask, though. From you and Dean.”
She perked up. “Of course, if we can. What do you need?”
“Noah’s still missing.” He’d stuck around to make sure I was okay, then disappeared to beat the shit out of himself for not being there. I found myself stuck in the crossfire between compassion and anger, but I knew I needed to find him. I had to talk to him. He needed to know I didn’t blame him for what happened. I also wanted to kick his ass for disappearing, but could only handle one thing at a time.
Dani hesitated before allowing a slow nod. “Dean thinks he sequestered himself in the woods on the island. God, Klahanie. He was so torn apart.”
Once again, I felt a blip of anger, but buried it. “He might be in the Sanctuary.”
“And if he doesn’t want to be found, he won’t be.”
“I know. That’s why I’m asking you to take me to his place. I’m also hoping Dean can help with some radio programming.” Dean had assisted Noah when he’d first set up equipment for his station.
Dani glanced at me once, and then again. A tiny smile pulled at the corner of her mouth. “You’re going to talk him down? Maybe lure him home?”
“That’s the plan. I just need everyone on the island to blow up his phone to get him to tune in.” I didn’t really have a clue what I was going to say, but figured I’d make it up as I went along.
“Hmm … I like it.” She smiled. It was the first real one I’d witnessed since I’d awakened in the hospital.
“I thought you might.”
****
Crutches aggravated my two cracked ribs, so I’d opted for a borrowed cane like a little old lady, with Dani hovering close. Noah’s place appeared as it did a few days prior, but at the same time, it seemed different. Or maybe it was just me.
“Dean has some work to finish up, so he won’t be by for a few hours. Just know, he’s more than happy—excited actually—to help you with your little project.” Dani scooted past me, a couple of bags of groceries in hand. She stopped and glanced around, before fixing me with a questioning gaze. “Um, Noah does have a kitchen with, um, appliances and stuff, right?”
“Downstairs. It’s in working order, but he’s still renovating the first floor.”
“Gotcha. Okay. Just so you know, this is what’s happening here. I’m going to warm up some soup for you—which you are going to finish—and then you’re going to lay down to rest, and hopefully sleep. When Dean gets here, he’ll get you up and running with the station, but in measured amounts of time. You’re not going to overdo it. And you’re going to use the icepack I brought for your ribs.” She wedged her fists at her hips, grocery bags dangling from her wrist, and landed a hard stare on me. “Got it?”
I stared back, but not for long. She’d probably touched base with Gram. Of course, it didn’t matter, either way. I felt like I’d been run over by a herd of elephants, and kicked over a cliff for good measure. Sleep sounded really good at that moment. “Fair enough.”
“I’m not kidding about the soup.” Dani arched an eyebrow. “Every drop.”
“You’d be a great mom.”
She blinded me with a sudden grin. “Thanks. We’re thinking about it, so I’m practicing. How am I doing?”
