The Enforcer - Kelli Callahan Page 0,8
entirely sure,” Kenton says. “She has a lot of connections, and she’s well respected in the community. I don’t imagine it would be too difficult for her to find a place. Not to mention, she still has the former mayor’s fortune.”
“She could probably stay at a hotel,” Lucy chimes in.
“Good,” I say, feeling some relief that she will be taken care of.
“Yes, it is. She’s a good woman. I’m looking forward to hearing your accounts of everything,” Kenton says.
I nod before taking Lucy’s hand, “Lucy, Abbie. Would the two of you find me something to drink? Your dad disappeared about an hour ago, saying he was going to find us dinner, but he hasn’t come back yet. I feel like I haven’t eaten in days.”
“Sure,” Abbie says as Lucy hesitates, not wanting to leave my side. “We can find something right, Lucy?” she asks, grabbing Lucy and leading her toward the door.
As soon as I hear the door close, I turn to Kenton.
“It wasn’t an accident,” I say.
“I know,” Kenton agrees, and I hear him pull up a chair. “Did you send them away so you could talk to me?”
“Yes,” I say. “I think Diana is in danger.”
“Me too,” Kenton agrees. “Do you have any idea who would want to hurt her?”
“Yes... I can think of all kinds of people who would want to ransom her, but to lock her in a bathroom and have her die in a fire…” I say trailing off. “I’m not totally sure.”
Kenton nods. “Alright, well, what else do you have for me?”
I lay in silence, staring at the ceiling of the hospital room. It is difficult to sleep as memories of what happened play through my mind. Each time I close my eyes, I see the flames licking the walls, and I feel panic that neither of us will make it out alive. I’ve been here before, and it ended badly.
Swallowing hard, I fight the memory that struggles to push through. The screams fill my head, as I press my good hand to my eyes. I lost them. It was my fault. I can’t get too close to this with her. Losing her too would destroy me. I can’t have anyone else on my conscience.
Chapter Four
Diana
One week later
* * *
I close the door of the police cruiser and step out onto the central lawn of the one place I dread most in the world, and also the one I tried so hard to make into a home despite all the horrors that occurred within the walls. Perhaps it seems silly, but this place was my way of fighting back.
“Diana,” the chief says, and I turned to look behind me, giving him my attention. “I’m not comfortable with this. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I’m not going to get hurt,” I say while flinging my purse over my shoulder. “I won’t get hurt because you’re here,” I smile, doing my best to remain optimistic, and suppress the emotions that are bubbling up inside of me.
“Yes, well, while I am flattered that you feel safe with me. It would be foolish for us to ignore the fact that you were trapped inside a bathroom, and nearly burned to death.”
“Yes, I agree; but, with that being said, I still feel the need to come back here and retrieve some heirlooms.”
“Did you have a safe?” he asks, following close behind me.
“Yes, there was a safe in my first-floor study. It held everything, so I assume they are still intact.”
“Good,” he says. What kind of heirlooms?” he asks, and I turn, raising an eyebrow.
“Sorry, if that’s nosy,” he says, “but it will help me have an account of the contents of the safe; so, I’ll know if anything was stolen, that way, I can file more reports.”
“Well, it held jewelry, of course: Diamonds, pearls, that kind of thing,” I say, gesturing with my hand as I stepped across the lawn.
“There’s also baby photos of Holly,” I say, a little distracted, as I step over what was once the threshold. Inhaling deeply, I stare straight through to the back of the home, and into the open air of the backyard. “God, it really was a massive fire wasn’t it?” I ask
“Yes, and the fire marshal hasn’t declared it completely safe yet. We really shouldn’t be here,” he says, reaching forward and taking my elbow, saying nothing in return.
Looking him dead in the eye, then looking down at his hand on my pristine white sleeves, he clears his throat uncomfortably