Drained (Edgars Family #6) - Suzanne Ferrell Page 0,3
would cripple most people using a computer, she often pulled obscure facts and figure out of her brain at the oddest times. “Could be worse. We could live in Seattle or Portland.”
“One-fifty-two and one-forty-four respectively,” she rattled off without a pause and he hid the grin that threatened to come out. Of course, she knew those facts, too.
“It’s depressing,” she continued, setting her fork aside and wiping her mouth, her meal only half finished. “No wonder people look for ways to lift their moods, like drugs.”
“Hundreds of thousands of people live here and majority aren’t drug addicts. And there are plenty of people in the sunnier places that get addicted, too,” he said, hoping she wouldn’t quote him the exact numbers this time.
She sighed and leaned back in her seat. “I know, but it doesn’t help those people who are prone to it. Not to mention the ugly stuff humans are capable of doing to each other.”
“You’re worried about your friend.” It wasn’t a question. From her face to her body language the fact was written all over her. “You think she didn’t come to work at the shelter because she’s in trouble?”
“I know her pimp is still in jail, so I doubt it’s that…”
“You think she’s using again?” She hadn’t told him Paula had been an addict, but he assumed that was part of her past.
Brianna let out a sigh. “It would explain her absence. She hasn’t missed a day since the shelter hired her as an intake clerk a year ago. Proudest day of her life. She wouldn’t jeopardize that. At least that’s what I believed.”
“You’re afraid someone’s taken her, like you were taken,” he said as gently as he could. He hated bringing up the traumatic event that changed her and her life, but he knew that memory was behind her worry.
“Yes.” She blinked a few times then hurried on. “I was lucky. I had Abby. She not only came when I’d called her, but the minute she knew I was missing, she wouldn’t let anything stop her until she found me. Paula doesn’t have anyone…but me.”
He laid his hand over hers on the table and squeezed it. “Have you tried to call her?”
Brianna nodded. “First thing, and again before I headed over here to meet you. Went straight to voice mail.”
“Do you know where she lives?”
“Yes,” she said, slowly pulling her hand from his and rattling off the address.
“That’s not the best part of town. You want me to check into it for you?” he said, hoping she’d say yes, because he’d be damned if he’d let her go do it.
“I don’t want the police going there. She doesn’t need the added trouble if she is or isn’t using.”
He could understand that. She was worried about a friend, not wanting to cause her problems. “You’re not going over there alone.” It wasn’t a question or just a statement, it was an order.
She blinked and sat back in her seat at the firmness in his voice. He knew he’d crossed the line. He had no right to order her around, but the sudden fear she might just do what he’d told her not to overrode his cautious nature.
“Of course not,” she said, straightening her spine and the tension deepened around the corners of her eyes, making the scars on the left blanch slightly. “Believe it or not, Detective, I learned my lesson three years ago, not to delve into things without backup. I was hoping you might go with me.”
Relieved she’d already considered her safety and was being reasonable, he relaxed and gave her a confirming nod. “I can do that. Are you heading back to the shelter from here?”
“Yes, I have some end-of-the-month paperwork to finish today.”
He signaled the waitress for the bill. “I tell you what, meet me at the station when you’re finished, and we’ll go check on your friend together. Nothing official, just a concerned friend and her friend checking—”
“—on a friend,” she said with a little smile and nod.
He did a quick mental note of the work he had planned for the afternoon. Nothing in need of immediate attention other than the final debriefing with the DA for next week’s court case. “Four o’clock good for you?”
“I can be back here by then.” She reached for her bill as the waitress laid them on the table.
Aaron swallowed his frustration. As long as they’d been meeting for lunch or the occasional drink after work, Brianna always insisted on paying for her own meals.