INK: Abstraction Read online

  “Sorry.” I pause for a minute. “I was thinking we should put Filson on her case.”

  “Yeah, that’s fine. You really need to distance yourself from her completely.” He looks over at me for my reaction.

  “No problem. I’m more than happy to turn this one over.” I feign disinterest.

  “I want to find the bastard who did this and I want to hang him out to dry.” His tone is angry.

  “Yes sir.” I feel like I should say something more. “She was banged up pretty bad. I haven't seen the initial from CSI, did they find anything to go on?”

  “No, they have her clothes, but I’m sure any evidence washed away in the river,” he laments.

  “I’m sure Filson will be able to piece it all together after he’s able to talk to her.” I really fucking hope not.

  “Yeah.” I can see the wheels turning in his head. “Glass?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Why do you think she reacted to you like that?” There's caution in his question.

  “I don’t know. Maybe this has all taken it's toll on her mentally.” I’m trying not to stumble over my words. “Or maybe she's just intimidated by me.”

  “She’s never been afraid of you before,” he presses. “Actually, she’s never been intimidated by you.”

  “Who knows what game she’s playing.” The irritation in my tone is barely masked.

  “That didn’t look like she was ‘playing’ anything. She was terrified.”

  “I don’t have any answers, but I’ll tell you I’m glad to be off this case,” I state. “Now that crazy bitch can cop some plea that she was tortured with a box cutter. You'll never get a jury to convict her. They are all just a bunch of bleeding hearts.”

  “What makes you say box cutter?” He looks up from his phone.

  “That's just what it looked like to me. From what I could see.” Fuck, I have to be more careful.

  He dismisses the exchange and sits quietly, texting on his phone for the rest of the ride to station. When we arrive he gets out of the car without a word.

  “Hey Preston,” I call over the roof of the car.

  He stops and turns around. “What.”

  “I’ll transfer my case files to Filson and brief him on everything to date.”

  “No, please just have him come to my office. I’ll fill him in,” he answers while walking away.

  Fuck. I pull my phone out and call him.

  “Filson,” he answers.

  “Hey Filson, it’s Glass. I need to talk to you about a case I’m transferring to you.”

  “Baynes?”

  “Yeah, I thought I could give you some background,” I offer.

  “I’m on my way to Preston’s office now. I got the call from the C.O. about five minutes ago,” he says simply.

  “Oh, um—” He cuts me off.

  “So I imagine you want to have beers later so we can discuss how many civil rights you violated during the investigation and how you want me to cover your ass?” He laughs into the phone.

  “The Pub at nine-thirty?” That’s my man.

  “You’re buying.” He hangs up the phone.

  Chapter Twelve

  Just a Muffin

  Shay

  “Harry, why don’t you go home and get some rest. I’m going to stay right here with her.” I can hear Eli speaking in a hushed tone. Everything feels so fuzzy. That bitch and her drugs can bite me.

  “What if she wakes up?” Dad answers him.

  “Then I’ll tell her that her old man went home so he could get some sleep.” Eli has a smile in his voice. “You look like hell, go get some rest.”

  “You haven’t gotten anymore sleep than I have,” Dad counters.

  “I’ve got this, Harry, go home. She’s safe and she’s not going anywhere.”

  “To be honest, I’m also a little concerned about you,” Dad says with worry.

  “Me? Nah, I’m fine.” Eli blows a breath out.

  “I’m also a little concerned with how tense things are getting between you and McNab.” Dad pauses for a minute. “We need his help right now.”

  “Yeah, well I don’t like the way things are playing out. He’s overstepping his boundaries with Shay,” Eli says, and I swear I can hear his chest puff out.

  “I really don’t think you have anything to be worried about from McNab. I believe him when he says he’s only interested in her as a friend. Besides, what kind of idiot would pursue her right now?” I’m a little offended by Dad’s words and would like the chance to defend myself, but I really want to hear Eli’s response.

  “This kind.” There’s melancholy in his tone. I feel Eli’s warmth leave the side of the bed. “There’s just something not right. He’s too smooth and too disinterested.”

  “You’re imagining things.” I hear Dad’s keys rattle as he takes them out of his pocket.

  “Maybe. I just don’t trust anyone.” Eli pauses. “Which reminds me, what’s the deal with Miranda and this organization you’re part of?” “I can’t really talk about it. But you’re wise to not trust anyone, least of all me and the organization.” What the hell is Dad talking about? What organization? And who the hell is Miranda?

  The door opens and there’s a tick of silence, then I hear Carl’s voice. “Eavesdropping is impolite.”

  Shit, I think he just called me out. I lay still in case he wasn’t talking to me. “I’m talking to you, Shay.”

  Shit. I roll over slowly. “Well isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black.” I smile at Dad. “Mornin’.”

  “Shayleigh? How are you feeling?” He’s genuinely concerned.

  “Okay,” I answer quietly.

  Everyone in the room is staring at me silently as I push the button to prop the bed up. The entire room is overflowing with flowers, balloons, cards and stuffed animals. “What is all of this?” The first thing I think of is Eli went a little overboard with the get well wishes to one up McNab. Eli’s jealously is kind of sweet. But really? McNab? Eli's got nothing to worry about.

  Eli smiles. “All this is from your fans.”

  “My fans?” Surely he’s screwing with me. “Seriously, where did all of this come from?”

  Carl picks up a stack of cards and opens the top one. “I hope you feel better soon, dying to see what happens next with the Sanguine Specter.” He opens the next four or five that all have a similar sentiment.

  “This is nuts! How long have I been asleep? How did they even know I was here?” I’m completely bewildered. I’m flattered beyond belief, but bewildered nonetheless.

  “I would say they probably found out from the press release that Raphael put out. And it’s eleven A.M., so about twelve hours.” Dad’s mouth pulls to the side.

  “Apparently he was trying to do damage control from the initial press release he sent out indicating you were dead. Trish says it was really great for sales, but that he had to be the first to break the news that you were found or look like an asshole,” Eli explains.

  “Raphael is an asshole,” are the first words that come to mind. “So you’re telling me that this whole thing has played out on the five o’clock news?”

  “I’m afraid so, Doodlebug. There were a lot of people looking for you.”

  I flop back on the bed. “Shit.” Dad shifts in his seat, he’s uncomfortable with me swearing. I need to try to watch it around him.

  Carl comes to the bedside and hands me a brown paper bag with grease stains on it. “McNab will be back in a bit. He’s handling some business with the home office. But he wanted me to bring you this.”

  Eli comes closer to see what’s in the bag as I open it. “Oh man. I love these!”

  “What is it?” Eli asks.

  “It’s a blueberry muffin from Don’s Bakery.” My eyes light up when I pull it out and see the butter is melting off of it.

  “He said he knows you really like those after a long night.” Carl smiles.

  “I do love a good blueberry muffin with the big sugar crystals
on top dripping with real butter. It doesn’t get any better than this.” I bite into the muffin and Eli tenses up. I can see a million questions running through his mind. Eli knows that after a night of hot sex I have an insane craving for blueberry muffins. He should know, since we’ve had our share of blueberry muffin mornings. I let out a groan. “This is so good.”

  Everyone in the room watches as I have a quasi sexual experience with this muffin. “I’m hungry and this is delicious.”

  The attention is drawn away from me and to the commotion in the hallway. I’m relieved that everyone stopped staring at me, but I’m worried about what’s brewing out there. There’s yelling and I think I hear a scuffle. Then it’s as clear as a bell, we all hear it. “Fuck you, I’m going in there.”

  In unison we all say it out loud. “Trish.”

  Dad and Eli both look at me as if to ask if I want to see her. I’m really not ready, but I think it’s safer for all concerned if we let her in. “Let her in for God’s sake, before she goes all King Ghidorah. Someone’s going to get hurt out there.”

  Carl opens the door and says something to the security guard. The sound of the clickety-clack of her heels precedes her. When she finally makes it through the door she looks at me and stops with her mouth agape. “Holy fuck!” She rushes to my bedside and looks down at me. I’m frozen in place, worried that she’s actually going to hug me. I’ve got a mouth full of muffin and can’t say anything to stop her.

  “Is that an ‘I got laid’ muffin? Girl, you should be resting, you look like shit; you shouldn’t be fucking.” She looks around the room, and after ruling out my dad and Carl as my sex partners, she looks at Eli. “You can’t let the girl rest for one night? You’re a fucking pervert.” She swats him in the arm.

  I swallow my muffin and shake my head. “No, McNab sent it.”

  Her eyes round out. “Girl, I’m so proud of you finally expanding your horizons.”

  “No, no. He just sent me a muffin,” I explain. My poor dad has gotten up from his chair and he’s sifting through the cards on the counter. Carl can no longer contain his laughter and Eli is seething.

  Trish looks at me then Eli. “So it’s just a muffin?”

  I nod my head fast. “Yeah, Trish, just a muffin.”

  She blows out a breath. “Well I’m glad you’re resting then.”

  “Yes, how are you?” I ask, speaking slow, praying she can lay off the swearing at least while my dad’s here.

  “I’m awesome. My best friend is alive, my boyfriend’s back and I’m taking the day off from work!” She beams.

  “Good.”

  She looks around the room. “What is all this shit?”

  “Fans,” I answer.

  “Fucking Raphael and his Goddamn press release.” She sits on the edge of the bed. “Do you know he leaked the info about your kidnapping before the police even started looking for you?”

  “Figures.” I put the muffin on the table next to the bed, I’ve lost my appetite.

  “So where the fuck were you? Who did this?” I really can appreciate Trish’s straightforwardness.

  Eli and Dad both come closer to me upon hearing Trish asking the questions everyone else is afraid to.

  “I don’t know,” I answer quietly.

  “Trish, I don’t think she’s ready to talk about it,” Dad says, putting his hand on her shoulder.

  “Why not? Talking about it will be good for her. I mean, did you get the guy who did this?” She’s adamant.

  “She’s not ready, Trish.” The seriousness and anger in Eli’s tone makes me shrink back into the bed. Carl cuts a look to me, noticing the change in my demeanor.

  “Eli, can you come outside with me for a minute? I think we need to discuss the security detail we’ll be setting up at the house.” Carl opens the door.

  “I really don’t want to leave her,” he says, looking at me with pained eyes.

  “I’m fine. I’d actually just like some time to talk with Trish.” I smile at him, taking his hand. “Dad, why don’t you go home and get some rest.”

  Dad looks up from the cards at Carl then comes and kisses me on the forehead. “Okay sweetheart. I’ll be back later tonight. Do you want me to bring you anything?”

  “No, I think I have everything I could possibly need.” I smile. When the three of them leave, Trish and I are alone in the room and I feel like I can breathe again.

  “So are you okay?” Trish leans in, serious as a heart attack.

  “No, Trish, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be okay ever again.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Purist

  Shay

  Trish visiting was good, I really didn’t want to see her go. I’m dreading what I know is coming. They are all going to want me to talk about it. Trish has been gone for about three minutes now and no one’s come back in. I’m sitting here alone. Terrified.

  “You are never alone, my love.” The voice in my head sounds. Oh God, please no. I don’t know how much longer I can walk this line of insanity. It's real and I’m hearing it. But I’m not sure if it’s really him, or if it’s something my imagination cooked up. “I’m here, I’m never far from you.”

  “Eli,” I call out. This room is far too silent, too lonely. I don’t want to be alone, and if I really want to be honest with myself I’m just going to fucking say it. I’m scared. I’m fucking scared. “Eli,” I scream while pressing the nurse’s call button.

  Eli bursts in the door. “What is it? Are you okay?” He’s standing at the ready to go all Jackie Chan on someone. Carl isn’t far behind.

  “I’m fine.” My gaze falls to my lap at the shame of why I was calling him. “I just didn’t…I didn’t know where you were.”

  “I’m right here, babe. I was just outside the door, I didn’t know if you wanted a little time to yourself.” He holds onto me, leaning down to look into my eyes.

  “Oh.” I want to cry out to him and scream at him that I never want to be alone again, but fear is keeping me from saying those words too. “I, um…I just didn’t know where you were.”

  “I’m sorry, I’m right here.” He must see the panic in my eyes. He’s trying to soothe me. He exchanges a look with Carl. I know what they are thinking. Look at the scared little girl.

  “No, darlin’, that’s not what we’re thinking.” Carl comes closer to the bed and pulls the chair up on the opposite side of Eli. “We were both thinking how happy we are to have you back, safe and sound.”

  I press my lips to the side, feeling stupid, feeling so slight. “Really?”

  Carl’s eyes widen then roll. “Good Lord yes. He was unbearable while you were gone.” He leans into me as if telling a secret. “If anything happens to you, he’ll be lost.”

  Eli sits, holding my hand. “I would be lost without you, I love you, Shay.” He kisses my hand and looks at me with forlorn eyes.

  “I love you too.” I return Eli’s sentiment and turn to Carl. “Thank you for all you’ve done too. You coming to me was the difference in being able to hold on.”

  “I’m glad I came then, it was enough of a reward to know you were alive.” The look in Carl's eyes is genuine. I feel an incredible bond with him. An indelible trust that we could never break. I give him a tight smile because he knows how I feel. He nods.

  McNab comes in the door, looking down at a tablet. “Hey kid, glad to see you're awake.”

  “I am, and thank you so much for the blueberry muffin.”

  “No problem, you’re skinny enough with continuing to waste away on the gray matter the hospital serves in lieu of food.” He pauses for a minute, tapping on the screen. “Besides, I know how much you love blueberry muffins.” He looks up at me and winks.

  “Thanks for remembering. It was good.” He has gone back to looking at his tablet. “How did you remember that?”

  “I’m an investigator, I investigate. I notice things and file them away in my memory for later use. It’s what I do.” His demeanor has returned to weird, seri
ous McNab again. This in my opinion is welcome in comparison to that departure in his personality earlier. It’s not that I don’t think McNab is sweet, because I know he is. It’s just that it’s so strange coming from him.

  Carl’s chest rumbles with laughter. “The many faces of McNab.”

  I smile at the private joke we shared. Eli bristles, and I can tell he’s feeling a little threatened, and not just from the conversation he had with Dad this morning, but “muffin-gate” nearly sent him over the edge. “I’d like to know all the faces of McNab. I want to know which ones to watch out for.”

  “Eli, McNab is harmless. Aside from not being my type, I’ve told you before he’s not really interested in…”I stop to think about my words before I say something accidentally hurtful. “He seems to think everyone’s in heat and he likes to, how did you put it, McNab? Avoid those types of entanglements?”

  “Yes, I don’t need the type of roadblocks that relationships involve. I mean, honestly, if I had a girlfriend, how would she feel about me being on the opposite coast from her rescuing a damsel in distress?” he says, looking up at me on the last three words.

  I open my mouth to speak, but Eli beats me to it. “I wouldn’t go so far as to say Shay is a ‘damsel in distress,’ and I’m betting that she could kick any one of our asses.” He looks over at Carl, who’s smiling. “Except maybe you, Carl.”

  “I don’t know, do you think you could kick my ass, Shay?” he asks, trying to mask his amusement.

  “You know I could.” I ball my hands into fists and in tiny motions punch at the air. “I’m no ordinary damsel.” I don’t believe it for a second. I’m weak, I’m small and I’m helpless.

  “Not if you join with me.” The Specter’s voice sounds in my head.

  I shake my head to push the sound out. Carl looks at me with concern. McNab sits on the bed by my feet, his gaze heavy with seriousness. “I never said you were ordinary.”

  It's hardly noticeable, but I catch Eli’s subtle reaction. I would really like him to stop with the alpha male bullshit. I need everyone here with me. If I could chain all three of them to me I would so I’d never have to be alone again.