Her third-floor room was light and comfortable. She threw her bags on the bed and sat in one of the overstuffed seats near the window which overlooked a courtyard. She pulled out her phone.
“Hey, Top,” she said when he answered.
“Everything go okay with the General?” Randall asked.
“Yeah. It was fine. Better than I expected, actually,” she said. She picked up the hotel pen and clicked the end of it a couple times. She scratched it across the small pad of paper it had been resting on.
“That’s good. He called a bit ago to talk to Simon. He’s not doing so hot today. I think this recent information is bugging him.”
“Well, that’s not my problem right now,” she replied. “I’m going to take you up on the offer to be out today. I’m at the Marriot across town.”
She was annoyed that he brought Simon into the conversation and irritated that she cared so much. That man had gotten under her skin, and she needed some time to figure out if he did break her trust, or if she was overreacting. And why. She clicked the pen one more time and tossed it on the desk.
Randall paused, waiting for more. When he got nothing but breathing, he said, “All good, Linser. We’ll see you back tomorrow.” He hung up.
Audrey debated going to the liquor store and decided that a splurge was in order. Hotel markup was so stupid, but hell, if she didn’t have to leave the room, all the better. But first, food needed to happen, or she’d be out cold by . . . she checked her watch. It was 11:30. Yeah, she didn’t need to spend the entire afternoon on a binge.
She sent Charlie a text, telling her where she was and the room. She then added a message to keep it quiet.
Seconds later, her phone beeped. It was Charlie. WTF? Fine. Be there after work.
Audrey lay back on the bed and tried to sort out the last few days in her mind. The jumbled mess left her with more questions than answers, no matter how she tried to tackle it. She believed the General when he said that Simon didn’t know anything. What she didn’t understand was why he wanted Simon to keep anything from her. She’d forgotten to ask what was in the file that was so bad it needed to be cleaned up, but her anger wiped the question from her mind.
Of course, Simon owed her nothing. Nor she, him. She loved the easy way they talked with each other, but the relationship was a physical one. That’s how she wanted it, and he agreed. If she was being fair, which she really didn’t want to be, anytime Simon had said anything about the future, she’d deflected, and deflected hard. But hell, she’d warned him from the beginning that she was going to leave as soon as she could.
Her eyes drifted closed. She’d slept like shit the last few days. It was funny how a person got used to sleeping next to someone.
***
She woke to two things—someone beating on the door, and her phone going off. Charlie.
She stumbled to the door, stopping to peek out the peephole. She saw the top of a head, with curly red hair, and a finger being held up. Just one finger.
“I’ve been out there for five minutes!” Charlie said, sweeping past Audrey into the room.
Audrey looked at her watch. It was 1630. “Fucking hell, I fell asleep,” she said.
“No shit. You look like you’ve been drooling,” Charlie said. “How long have you been out?”
“Noonish, I guess.”
“Ouch. That’s gonna hurt tomorrow.” Charlie sat down in a seat near the window and dropped her bag on the floor next to her. “Okay. What the fuck is going on? I go away for a long weekend and shit blows up.”
“Looks like it, huh?”
“No looks about it. The office feels like a tomb. The Lieutenant is coming undone. Antony’s not giving me shit like he usually does, and Simon looks like hell. What the fuck happened?”
Audrey sighed. “First, I’m starving. And this is gonna need some drinks. Room service, or restaurant?” she asked, adding, “My treat either way.”
Charlie kicked off her shoes. “Let’s get comfy,” she said, walking over to the table in the corner of the room. She picked up the room service menu and started scanning it. “Oh, I’m taking advantage of this shit. You’re buyin’ me steak!” she said with a grin.
“That sounds good,” Audrey said. “With fries. And mushrooms.”
The women made quick work of ordering and sat back. Audrey pulled out her files and laid them on the table.
“Okay. You left last Wednesday, right?” Audrey paused, speaking again when Charlie nodded. “So, I saw Brewer in the morning. It went about as I expected. He tried some odd I-want-to-be-your-father shit, and I shot it down.” She took a drink of water.
“Then what?” Charlie asked.
“He got pissed, which is what I was going for, and suddenly, his lawyer showed up.”
“Wait, he called his lawyer for this?” For all of Charlie’s expressions right then, there was no way she should be as good at poker as she was, Audrey thought.
“No. He didn’t. At least, we don’t think so. Still waiting for the phone and visitor records. Anyway, Brewer killed his cellmate that night.”
“Fuck me.”
“Indeed.”
The knock at the door and chime of “Room service!” interrupted them. The steward rolled the cart in and smiled when Audrey passed him a couple folded bills. She declined his offer to set their table and pour drinks, and closed the door behind him.
Charlie had already removed the plate cover and was eyeing her steak hungrily. Once Audrey sat down, Charlie wasted no time in attacking it, waving her fork at her friend in a “go on” motion.
Audrey poured each of them a drink out of the small bottle of whiskey she’d had brought up.
“So yeah. He killed his cellmate and wrote the word ‘daughter’ on the wall in the poor guy’s blood,” she said, cutting into her own steak. “Man was supposed to get out of prison in a couple weeks.”
Charlie wrinkled her nose. “Gross. And then what? Why’s that got Simon all bent out of shape?”
“Simon’s dad was the original prosecutor in Maxwell’s case,” Audrey said. Charlie’s eyebrows shot up, and she stopped chewing for a moment. Audrey continued, “He was in court this morning, for the arraignment. I ended up talking to him after Maxwell went batshit and called for him to recuse himself because of Simon and me. He gave Simon a copy of the full case file last week when they had dinner.”
“That all?” Charlie asked, reaching for her water.
“Is that all?” Audrey shot Charlie a look. “He had all weekend to tell me about it and didn’t. The General took the blame for that—told me he told Simon not to, but—” She sawed a hunk of meat and stuffed it into her mouth. It was perfectly prepared, but she had no appetite.
“But . . . what?”
Audrey finished chewing and swallowed. “I’m not sure. I just thought that maybe he would tell me about something like that. Felt like a little betrayal.”
“Mmmhmm. You’ve got no right or reason to be mad at him. You’re the one who’s been keeping him at dick length. Aud, I told you not to fuck around with him.” She stopped and tilted her head. “Wait . . . the General?”
“Oh, you didn’t know either?” Audrey said. “Simon’s father is a General. Of the Major variety. He’s our JAG.”
“Huh. How was he?”
“Actually, he was okay. Still pissed at the shit about keeping that file from me, but whatever.”
Audrey’s phone chimed. She glared at it, laying there on the bed, and finally flipped it over. Can we talk?
She sat back down and picked up her glass of whiskey.
“Simon?”
“Yeah.”
“What are you gonna do?”
“Nothing tonight. I’ll talk to him tomorrow.”
“Aud, he had his first talk through session today. He’s really not doing well.”
“I’m sure he’s not. But neither am I right now. I can’t be good for him when all I want to do is yell at him.”
Charlie dipped a f
ry in the silver pot of spicy aioli and crunched down on it. As she chewed, she waved the fry around, as though conducting an orchestra. “So, before I ream your ass about Simon,” she began leveling a glare at her friend. “What I really want to know is how the hell Brewer knew about you and Simon to begin with?”
“I asked the General the same thing. Dunno,” she paused. “How, when I’ve only been here a few weeks, does a man I’ve had nothing to do with for over 20 years suddenly knows so much shit about me.”
“And all this started when you got here.”
“Mmmhmm. I’ve been carrying these files around, looking for some sort of connection between Brewer, the hit and run, and me. Nothing. Nothing is coming up, and it’s wearing on me.” Audrey scrubbed her face with her hand. “And now, this shit with Simon. And his father. I just need to get out of here,” she said.
“You’ve mentioned this a time or twelve,” Charlie said dryly. There was an edge to her voice that Audrey had heard a few times and didn’t like to be on the receiving end of.
Audrey kept her mouth shut.
“Aud, have you even talked to Top or anyone about getting back out into the field? You almost got caught. They would have killed you,” Charlie said, exasperated. “Do you think that going back out there, with that little protection, is a good idea?”
“Charlie, I belong in the field. It’s all I know. I go out, I do the job, I go to the next job. It works for me,” she said. “I’m not sure what I would do if I couldn’t go back. It’s who I am.”
“Aside from this stuff with your father, has garrison been that bad?” Charlie asked.
“I don’t know, Charlie. I can’t separate my father from any of this right now. It’s been one fucking thing after another since I’ve been here.” Audrey got up and paced around the room, circling to the other side of the bed, to the door, and back. “Normal to me is what I’ve been doing the last few years. Right now, being in garrison is a bunch of bullshit,” she said. She looked at Charlie and saw the dismay on her face, and all of her anger vanished. She flopped back down into the chair.
“I’m sorry. That’s how I feel. It’s been good hanging out with you. I’m glad that I’ve gotten to know Simon. And yes,” she said, holding up her hands, “He’s wonderful. Beyond wonderful. If I were different, this thing,” she waved her hands in a circle, “this thing would be awesome. But I don’t know if I’m the right person for him.” She grabbed her drink and knocked it back, hoping it would dull the ache that had grown in the middle of her chest.
Charlie was quiet, shoving a fry around her plate. “Does he know that, Aud?”
“I told him I’d leave if they let me. Told him I just wanted to enjoy whatever this was.”
“I dunno, Audrey. This feels like it might be more than a fling.” For both of you, she thought. Audrey felt caged because she’d caught some feelings and refused to acknowledge them. It was about time, though Charlie would not say that out loud.
“You think I just need to break it off?” Audrey asked.
“That’s up to you,” Charlie said. She was hedging, avoiding a direct answer.
“Of course it’s up to me,” she said. “And I already told him I wasn’t going to lead him on.” She deflated. “I’ll talk to Simon and make sure he is okay and that we’re on the same page.”
“Sounds like you’ve got a plan,” Charlie said, standing. She stretched, then leaned over and grabbed her bag. “Thanks for chow.”
Audrey frowned at her. “Not sticking around for a while?” She’d gone too far, and Charlie’s feelings were hurt.
“Nah. I got shit to do.” Charlie was on her way to the door. She stopped and turned back. “You know I love you.” When Audrey raised her eyebrows, she continued, “Right now, you need to figure out who you really are. You aren’t the Army, and you’re not this job. You’re not like that asshole, and you’re not responsible for the shit he’s done. You’re freaking out because you want to avoid any reflection and getting caught up in any feelings, and right now, you need to get it through your head that it’s not all about you.” She stopped and watched Audrey’s mouth open and clamp shut again, nodded, and slipped out the door.
Audrey stuck out her tongue at the door as it closed. What she wanted was to pout all evening. What she needed was to lock everything away and look at the freaking files again and again until something jumped out. Nothing was going to until she got her hands on that complete file. At least she hoped. She drained her glass and reached for the bottle. She needed to figure out shit with Simon. Hell, she needed Simon. What she didn’t need was to examine how much. She picked up her phone and looked at it as though it held all the answers. She unlocked the screen and tapped out: Tomorrow. I need space tonight.
***
It had been one of the shittiest days he’d had. At least since he’d been back on regular duty. Between the session that morning and the phone call with his father after— he was not well equipped to deal with this today. He hadn’t heard from Audrey at all. Top came in and said she was out for the rest of the day. Right after that, his phone rang. The General told him about the fiasco in court that morning and their chat. He seemed a lot more receptive to her, though, which was good. If there was anything left for them after this.
He took a drink of his beer. She was pissed, and it pissed him off. This wasn’t a serious thing—her rules. Good time, not a long time, so he’d kept his family out of their conversations. He wasn’t going to take responsibility for information he didn’t have prior. No. She didn’t have the right to be pissed.
Simon picked up his phone. Nothing. She’d run off, and here he was, acting like a lovesick loon.
A knock sounded at his door. He sat there until the pounding got louder. Finally, he flung open the door.
Antony was on the other side. “Get dressed. You’re not sitting in here wallowing all night long.”
Simon stepped aside and let the man in. “Not in the mood.”
“I don’t give a fuck if you are or not. We are leaving this base, and we are going somewhere else.” Antony stopped and stared at Simon. “Have you heard from her?”
Simon shook his head. “Nope.” At that moment, his phone dinged. Both men looked down at it.
Simon picked it up and read the message. “You know what? Sure. She needs space. I can do space. Space sounds fucking great. Gimme a few.” He walked into his bedroom to take a quick shower and change.
Antony flopped on the couch and picked up a magazine. He idly rifled through it. He had no plans on taking Simon to a strip bar or any freaky place. Dude was in no such head space for that, and regardless of his own opinions on the situation, Audrey had been good for him. Not so much for herself, but even he could admit she’d had a shitty time since arriving here. Hell, this entire case was wearing on all of them. No clues, not even a hint. And waiting for the paperwork. God, what a fucking drag. Anyway, he refused to get in the middle of whatever shit they had going on. He was going to get Simon out of this damned room, get a decent meal into him—so that would make two in a week—and then take him to see whatever damned movie caught their attention. A dude date, or whatever.
Simon came out about 15 minutes later, and found Antony reclined on his couch, feet propped up on his coffee table. Dozing. He smiled and then pulled the pillow out from behind his head, popping him in the face with it.
“Mmmppfff! Fucker. You ready, Princess?” he stood. “Let’s get the fuck out of here.”
As they were walking toward Antony’s car, Charlie pulled up and started walking toward the building.
“Yo, Madden!” Antony yelled.
She waved at them as she approached. “What’s up?”
“Nada. Heading out for a bit. Wanna go?”
She shook her head. “I’ve had enough of out for one night. It’s time for some TV and sleep.”
Antony squinted at her and raised one eyebrow. She shook her head and rolled her eyes at him. “Not right now. Just . . . no.” She turned to Sim
on. “I don’t know what to tell you, man. She’s my best friend, but she’s an asshole sometimes. Just—just let her be an ass for a few days. She’ll figure it out.” She patted him on the arm and waved over her shoulder as she walked off.
“That was informative,” Antony said as he unlocked the car.
“Yeah. Well, we’ll see tomorrow.”
“How you gonna play it?” Antony asked.
“By the book. The General said share the files. I’ll share the files. Work the case. She wants to talk about this shit? She can bring it up.” Simon said. “So, we going, or are we just gonna sit here?”
Antony smiled. It was still a little troubling, but any emotion out of him was better than the rock he’d been for the last 18 months. If he had to backslide to protect his heart a little, so be it. Anger was also an emotion he was way too familiar with, and he could see his friend through it.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Simon stepped up to the office door when Audrey rounded the corner and approached. Without a word, Simon pulled open the door and gestured for Audrey to go in. She gave him a wan smile, and he saw the deep shadows under her eyes. The scent of her perfume as she walked by drug memories up.
The evening had been good. Better than he expected. Antony’s normal mode of dealing with shit was to go out and party, so when he pulled up at a local Korean restaurant, Simon was pleased. Afterward, they caught a movie and then played some pool at a low key hangout. It was what he needed to get his mind off of things for a couple hours. Didn’t stop the night terrors, though, and he’d woken up sobbing with vague images flashing in his head, and his nerves on fire.
His head was full of fog and the last thing he wanted was to have this out right now. He couldn’t even muster up the give a damn to speak at the moment. As far as he was concerned, the ball was in Audrey’s court. After last night, he had decided it was about time for him to get his shit together and join the land of the living. It was on him, not her, and he couldn’t rest his recovery on her shoulders.
Wayward (A Soldier's Heart Book 1) Page 13