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“I won’t submit it through regular channels. Only the lieutenant and chief of police will see it.”
“Works for me,” Brian said.
AFTERCOMINGSOclose to death, Charlie was astounded by the numbness that kept threatening to engulf her. Every time she felt the cold sinking in, right down to her core, she thought about Brian. His warmth. His light.
And it helped to plug her back in.
Is that what she had been doing since her mother’s murder? Disconnecting?
Such a sad way to live.
She glanced at the USD schedule on her computer.
No one was on the books for the last two classes this evening. This was the one night a week where Rocco would usually take over as the instructor and close up for her if he was available. She hadn’t realized how much she missed those evening hours off until now.
Changes needed to be made in her schedule so she could actually have time for a life. The school didn’t need to be open seven days a week. Maybe she’d shut down on Mondays. Hire a dedicated trainer to teach three to four evenings as well as handle locking up the school.
She wanted time. To slow down and unwind. To spend with Brian, hanging out on his back porch, curled up in his arms.
Who would have ever thought she’d feel that way about anyone, much less a cop?
Charlie thought about the pictures she’d shown Brian. He’d been able to identify two other detectives, who were also possibly dirty. When he’d pointed to the one with close-cropped dark blond hair, Colvin, she’d caught a flash of anger in his eyes. She hadn’t understood until he explained that Colvin was Seth’s alibi. The balding guy with a paunch was a detective, too. Eklund.
But Brian hadn’t recognized the man with glasses.
Haley needed to come through and nail all these guys.
Charlie went to the first of two private training rooms for one-on-one sessions and started putting away equipment: pads, mats, sparring helmets.
“Hello,” a female voice called out.
Charlie shut off the light in the room and stepped out into the main area where they held group classes.
“Hi.” It was Aubrey. “Do you have a minute?” she asked.
This was the first time Charlie had seen her in regular clothes, a formfitting dress and heels. But it was even more surprising to see her standing in USD.
“Sure,” Charlie said.
“I’m sorry I lied to you about Haley and about spying on Seth. It’s just that my position is delicate. You came around asking dangerous questions, where I work. The last person I gave information to disappeared.”
In hindsight, Charlie would’ve handled things differently. “I understand. I shouldn’t have popped back up at the club the way that I did.”
“No, you shouldn’t have,” Aubrey said, with a frown. “But I get why you did. We’re both worried about Haley. She’s lucky to have someone like you on her side. Have you found out anything more? Do you know if Haley is dead or alive?”
A chill moved through Charlie like someone had walked over her grave. She tensed. Hesitated. “She’s alive. But I can’t say anything more than that. To protect her.”
Aubrey exhaled a big breath, relief washing over her face. “Thank goodness she’s all right. If anything had happened to her, I don’t know what I would do.”
“You don’t need to worry about her. She’s going to be okay.” Charlie waited to see if this supposed friend kept pushing for information or let it be.
“Do you think I could start taking some classes here? It’d be nice to learn how to defend myself.”
“Of course,” Charlie said, feeling more relaxed at the change in conversation. “Everyone is welcome. Your first two will be free.”
“That’s real nice of you.” Aubrey smiled. “Mind if I use the bathroom before I leave?”
“Go right ahead. The restroom is around the corner and down the hall.”
