She slid her key into the doorknob but hesitated as the door eased open.
That wasn’t right. She always closed the door tightly. Made sure it was locked.
She glanced at the floor but didn’t see a light shining. That wasn’t right either. She always left a light on, the first moments in a dark space unnerving and unsettling, threatening a flashback to too many dark, fear-filled nights as a child.
Caroline tugged her keys from the door and stepped away. Her hand grappled in her pocket for her phone, and she pressed Call. Her most recent call had been to whom? Brandon?
“Caroline?”
She startled and pressed a hand to her chest as she clutched her phone to her ear. Then the door opened, and Jaime looked out. “You okay?”
“What? What are you doing here?”
“The maintenance guy let us in. He remembered me from when you moved in. Did you forget it’s Friday night? We’d talked about meeting here for dinner last time we met at Il Porto.”
“I’m going to have to talk to Charlie.” Caroline forced a smile. “It’s Friday night already? How long have you been waiting?”
“Long enough to be concerned.” Jaime crossed her arms.
Hayden stepped around Jaime. “We’re here like we promised.”
“After you gave me a heart attack.” Caroline ended the call, then stepped up for a hug. She forced her pulse to slow down. “Y’all know how to scare a girl to death.”
Hayden winced but tightened her hold. “Sorry about that, but it wasn’t on purpose.”
“I know.” She glanced up at the light that wasn’t shining. “Was that out when you arrived?”
Jaime nodded. “It was. Emilie will be here shortly. She’s grabbing the food.”
Caroline stepped inside and felt the chill of the air-conditioned room. It was welcome after the night’s humidity. She gave the living space a quick glance, relieved it wasn’t bad. Her thoughts had been so jumbled, she couldn’t remember straightening it in her sprint out the door.
The pillows on the couch weren’t precisely placed, the Travel Dream Work Repeat one looking like it had been tossed on as an afterthought. Caroline frowned as she walked by and adjusted it. Then she moved a glass from the counter to the sink on her way through the galley kitchen to her bedroom. After she pulled on a pair of yoga capris and a loose T-shirt, she lifted her hair off her neck and tied it in a messy bun, then headed back to the living room. Emilie was walking through the door Jaime held open, carrying two bags from a local Chinese restaurant.
When the food was divvied up, each getting their favorite, Hayden and Emilie sat on the loveseat, while Jaime and Caroline huddled around the small table.
“Okay, Caroline. Time to come clean.” Emilie maneuvered the chopsticks expertly into her little box of Kung Pao chicken. “What’s going on?”
“I practically watched a coworker die Wednesday. I’m still rattled.”
“Of course you’d be.” Jaime tossed that statement out as if it were common knowledge.
“Who told you?” A jolt of adrenaline surged through Caroline. If her friends knew, who else was aware she’d been there?
“I noticed you in the TV footage.” Hayden shrugged like it was no big deal, but Caroline didn’t buy it.
“You just happened to see it?”
“Reid might have said something.” Emilie looked concerned, the expression she wore when working with her domestic violence clients.
“Why would he?”
“Maybe Brandon mentioned something.” Emilie set her box to the side. “It doesn’t matter how we found out, only that you’re okay.”
Caroline knew she should sink into their concern. Allow herself to be embraced by their care. Instead, she felt something stiffen inside her, a wall pushing up. She inhaled deeply. These women had earned the right to check on her after a harrowing day she hadn’t shared.
“Things are so weird right now. I don’t even know where to start.”
Hayden smiled. “I’ve always heard the beginning was a good place.”
“Well, I was born thirty years ago.”
Hayden tossed one of the throw pillows at her. “You can jump ahead twenty-nine and a half years.”
Caroline moved the chopsticks through the rice and sautéed veggies as she collected her thoughts. “This will sound crazy.” She walked them through the highlights and bullet points. “Anna mailed me this flash drive of data. Now she’s gone, as is the person I asked to help. Someone erased the flash drive, then stole it with my purse. Oh, then Brandon broke up with me, but we’re back together. I think.”
Her friends blinked at her.
“Come on. Say something. Tell me I’m crazy and need to get a life.”
Emily looked at her with eyes full of compassion. “That’s a lot.”
“This is where you say I’m out of my mind.”
Jaime pushed to her feet and collected empty takeout boxes. “Can’t do that. Sounds like you should be very careful.”
“So what do I do? Stop going to work?”
Hayden shook her head as she brushed her fingertips on a napkin. “Not if that’s where you have a connection to the answers.”
“Anna was a doctor working on one of our trials. Justin worked at Praecursoria.”
“Both were killed in car accidents.” Emilie looked at Caroline. “Is that their only connection?”
“Both were involved in the same CAR T-cell trial. Another woman died the week I started. She worked in the lab with Justin.”
Jaime deposited the boxes in the trash. “Yes, but that doesn’t mean it’s relevant. Coincidences like that happen all the time and are simply unfortunate tragedies.” Jaime turned to Caroline. “So what is relevant?”
“The flash drive, but I can’t decipher what was on it. Today I got a duplicate copy of the files in an email from Anna. Days after her accident.”
“Who can help you interpret the data?”
Caroline thought a moment. “Brian Silver. Maybe. I emailed the original to him, but he said he never got it.”
“Can he be trusted?”
“I think so.” She didn’t know who else to take it to, especially after the leadership meeting with Quentin’s push on Mexico.
Hayden finished eating and put down her takeout box. “Who has access to the server? If it was sent on your work computer, then the email went through the server. If it did, there’s a record.”
“I should have thought of that.” Caroline pulled out her phone and typed herself a note. “You must work on large-scale litigation.”
“You know it. Targeted at big companies.” Hayden grinned. “Ask someone in IT to check for you. Then you’ll know if this Brian is telling the truth.” She stood and carried her fork and glass to the sink. “I need to head back home, but call if we can help.”
The other two followed Hayden to the door. After a round of hugs, Caroline stood at the door and waved goodbye as her friends headed down the stairs.
Then she closed the door, slid the chain into its slot, and turned the deadbolt.
She flipped more lights on as she walked through the living room to the kitchen and brewed a cup of tea. She kept turning them on as she entered her bedroom. Then she sat down on her bed and composed an email to James Reynolds. If anyone could tell her whether her email to Brian Silver had actually reached him, she hoped he could.
* * *
Brandon sank onto the chair next to Bethany’s bed. She smiled wanly at him.
“Hi, Mr. Brandon.”
“Hey, yourself. I brought a couple movies if you want to watch something.”
She smiled and then pressed the button to raise the head of her bed. “I’d like that. What did you bring?”
“Up and the new Little Women.” Caroline had bought both movies for his kids. “My friend says they’re the perfect way to spend a couple hours.”
“I’d like your friend.” She read the back of both movies. The girl looked worse somehow, a feat he would have sw
orn wasn’t possible, but she’d become a ghost of the girl he first met. “This one.”
He took Little Women from her and after getting it started settled in the chair next to her bed. He leaned his head back against the chair and tried to get comfortable without making too much noise as he shifted against the vinyl. It had to make cleanup easier in the institutional setting, but it didn’t make for comfort. Something about being able to wipe a surface with industrial-strength bleach didn’t create a homey setting.
His phone rang, and he glanced at the screen. Nicole Walker?
“I need to take this. I’ll be in the hall.” He pushed to his feet and toggled to the call. “This is Brandon.”
“Hey, Brandon, this is Eric Walker. Nicole and I are at a late dinner. Is it okay if I put you on speaker so she can hear too?”
“Sure.”
There was a click, and then he heard ambient noise. “Nicole and I wondered if you had a few minutes to discuss how we can work with you.”
Brandon must have been exhausted, because he felt pressure build behind his eyes and nose. “What did you have in mind?”
“We were impressed by what we saw at Almost Home Monday, but we were more impressed with you and your heart for the population you serve. Our church is really trying to take on the posture of leaving the building and being involved in our community. We’ve talked to a few folks and have a core to support your need for house parents’ nights out. The hope is that as families volunteer, they may catch a vision for foster-to-adopt. If that doesn’t happen, we can still provide respite care. Maybe get couples licensed to do that and even live there at Almost Home.” The man paused, but Brandon was speechless. “How’s that sound?”
Brandon cleared his throat as he tried to find words. “That’s an answer to prayer and would be a great help. I need to provide support like this to my house parents as we flip the model.”
“Just part of the body coming alongside.” Nicole’s voice held a smile. “You’re doing impressive but draining work.”
“Thank you.” The conversation continued for a few minutes with them setting a time to get together in a couple of weeks to flesh out a plan.
Eric sounded exuberant, as if he were the one getting the support. “We should have a few families committed by then and can discuss next steps.”
“The first one will be background checks on anyone who wants to volunteer.”
“We can ask the children’s church administrator to help with that process for anyone who hasn’t already done it.”
When they hung up a few minutes later, Brandon leaned his head against the wall. The time off would help prevent burnout for his house parents. It also might help him find people who would step into the vision when the Stones or another family moved on to new things.
He went back into the room, set the phone on the side table, and closed his eyes.
You still up?
He smiled at Caroline’s text. yep. you?
An eye-roll emoji came next. Of course. No, wait. It’s my subconscious texting you as I sleep. The efficiency. Imagine if I could teach others this skill. I’d be rich!
no need to snark.
Is that even a word? There was a pause. Sorry. The gals just left.
There was something about the way she worded it.
you okay?
I should be.
but you aren’t.
No, I guess I’m not.
Anna? Justin?
Unsettled by life.
you don’t unsettle easily.
If you only knew. She paused again, then the dots that indicated she was continuing appeared. I don’t want to be a burden, but sometimes even when I want to reach out . . . I can’t.
guess I should be honored.
Huh?
you’re reaching out now.
You’re different.
why?
Not sure. Guess I don’t have to prove myself to you.
He thought of all the times he’d seen that gang of four together. They had each other’s backs in a rich and meaningful way. those women would walk across broken glass for you . . . just like you would for them.
Thanks. I don’t know why I struggle to believe that.
if i was a therapist i’d ask what happened in your childhood.
No way, big guy. Not going there via text.
i’m cheaper than a counselor.
Maybe, but no. She paused again. Maybe her thumbs had gotten tired. Where are you?
the hospital.
How is she?
not good.
I’m sorry. That has to be so hard.
it is. guess what—all gods children is all in with us
That’s wonderful!
A nurse walked into the room and startled when she saw him. gotta run. someone’s here.
Congratulations. Hang in there.
you too.
He turned to the nurse as she erased the prior nurse’s name from the whiteboard and scribbled something in its place. He didn’t recognize her, but that wasn’t terribly surprising. The hospital was huge and even on a wing like this had an immense staff. “Good evening.”
She smiled at him as she capped the marker and slid it back in the drawer. “Hello. How’s our patient?”
“Not great from what I can tell.”
Bethany frowned at him. “I can talk.”
“You sure can. Sorry about that, princess.”
“I’m okay. Not as itchy as I was.”
“Glad the steroids have helped. Dr. Hamilton is trying to dial in the right amount to give you relief while helping your body adjust to the new cells.” The woman smiled at Bethany.
“I thought I was supposed to have ninja cells. They’re asleep.”
The woman’s expression softened. “We’re looking for a way to wake them up.”
“Moving faster would be good. I’m tired of laying here.”
“I bet you are.”
“Dr. Johnson thought this was best.” The woman’s throat convulsed over his cousin’s name. “Dr. Hamilton hasn’t changed the plan.”
Brandon nodded but couldn’t force a single word out. Not when he had a lump the size of a boulder lodged in this throat.
“Can we get back to the movie?”
He had to smile at Bethany’s question. The nurse nodded, and he raised the remote and hit Play. “Here we go, princess.”
Bethany fell asleep before the first movie finished. He left both there for her to watch when she had more energy. It was a long drive back to Almost Home. When he arrived, he wasn’t exactly sure how he’d done it, the drive to and from the hospital automatic.
Fatigue threatened to take over as soon as he walked in the door, but when he sat down to write an email telling his house parents about the good news from All God’s Children, new hope swept his exhaustion away.
Chapter 36
Saturday, June 5
There’s a double feature at a drive-in near stephens city. couple marvel movies. game?
She had to laugh as she read Brandon’s text. She was pretty sure she was the only person alive who called Spider-Man: Homecoming a rom-com because Pepper and Tony Stark get back together.
Sounds fun. Just promise to feed me, ’kay?
He sent a thumbs-up reply, and she inhaled as she rolled her shoulders. A night out enjoying a couple of her favorite superhero movies with her friends should be the perfect distraction.
She hadn’t heard back from James even after a second email. Interesting considering how quickly he’d jumped on her using the server over a holiday weekend.
She and Brandon were finding their way back to each other, but how should she act? Play it cool? Or allow him to catch a glimpse of her high regard for him? If she kept thinking in those terms, she’d sound like a Regency novel come to life. She groaned and set her phone aside. She needed to quit overthinking and be herself.
She needed to relax. Go with the flow.
She stared at her closet, which overflowed with no
t a single thing to wear.
She rifled through the carefully hung blazers that felt too businesslike, blouses in all sorts of prints and bright colors, and pants that helped her legs look a little longer when paired with heels. She tended toward bright so she couldn’t be missed in a crowd. The jewel tones made her feel like royalty. All of those options felt too workday. Tonight was a chance to forget about work and loss. It could be special if she let it.
* * *
When the door finally opened, Brandon fought to keep his mouth from gaping like he was a hooked fish.
This was his Caroline.
He’d made a profession of studying his opponents. While she wasn’t that, she mattered to him very much, so he’d been careful to consider how to approach her.
He could see the tension in her, even though she was perfectly put together.
She wore a cute floral sundress that reached just below her knee and a filmy navy cardigan that emphasized her dark hair and chocolate eyes. Her face looked natural except for a brush of something berry-colored on her lips. Did she taste like strawberries or was it just an illusion? He’d have to find out before the night ended. She’d even opted for some kind of wedge sandal rather than her usual ridiculous heels. He let out a low whistle and then gestured for her to turn.
She pulled a cute grimace, but he spun his finger again and she obliged. Her skirt flared, and she smiled.
“You look great, Caroline.”
A soft rose colored her cheeks as she glanced down. “Thank you.” She dipped a small curtsy. “Should I grab anything?”
He blinked as he took one more look at the perfection in front of him. “Like what?”
“Anything I’ll need for the date?” She giggled and the heaviness he’d noted in her disappeared.
“Nope.”
They both needed a night off. A chance to forget the grief and pressure. While this might not be a Disney princess movie night, Caroline seemed to love the strong female leads who were showing up in superhero movies.
Maybe he could convince her she already was one in his story. That Thursday night had been a brief moment of him losing his mind, but now it was back. She had courage that had nothing to do with the size of her stature and everything to do with her heart.
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