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Just a sore loser. Not uncommon.
I don’t acknowledge him.
My stuff awaits in the locker, right where I left it. Elsewhere in the locker room there are muffled voices, the squeak of shoes on tile. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Less than five minutes have elapsed when I exit the shower and listen for echoes. They are more distant now. It’s possible I’m the last one in here.
My bag is still on a bench within arm’s reach of the shower. I barely towel off before throwing on my clothes in haste.
“Hell of a fight.”
I know the voice. My tension is automatic but I keep my voice neutral.
“Halligan, didn’t know you were here.”
He leans against a row of lockers, arms crossed, looking casual. His manner isn’t menacing in the slightest. That doesn’t mean I’m in the mood for a chat.
“Elijah needs you,” he says.
“Didn’t he leave?”
“No, he’s having chest pains.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah, I tried to get him to go to the hospital but he says he’ll only go if you take him. You know you’re his favorite.”
I ignore the dig. “Where is he?”
Halligan sighs. “He complained that people were staring at him. The old corporate office is in the building next door and it was unlocked. I took him there so he could sit down.”
“I’ll take care of him.” I sling my bag over my shoulder.
He pushes away from the lockers. “Need any help?”
“Nah.” I pause and jerk my chin in his direction. “Thanks for looking out for him.”
Halligan doesn’t blink. He doesn’t smile either. “Sure.”
I’m halfway to the locker room exit when it crosses my mind to ask if anyone else is with Elijah right now. When I turn around, Halligan is gone.
The cleaning crew must work at lightning speed. When I return to the arena the only crew in sight are a couple of men finishing a sweep of the back row.
This setting has an odd vibe even when it’s full of people. When it’s nearly empty it becomes downright spooky.
Conner and Tess have followed orders. They are right where I left them.
Tess is alarmed when she hears about Elijah and wants to call an ambulance. I shake my head, knowing how he hates that sort of fuss. I’ll take him to the hospital myself.
However, it seems I can’t stop Conner and Tess from tagging along to the building next door. The exterior floodlights have already been switched off and it’s dark as a tomb outside. I’m forced to halt and squint to get my bearings.
Hard to believe that an hour ago this scene was crawling with people. Now it’s empty.
Statistically, it’s wiser to be somewhere without people as opposed to somewhere with people.
Tell that to my gut, which is has solidified into a heavy knot of dread.
Reaching in my bag, I hunt for my phone to call Elijah and let him know I’m on the way. I could have sworn it was tucked inside the interior pocket. It must have fallen out and sunk to the bottom of the bag. Or maybe Halligan fucking stole it.
