When I looked to Hank, his mouth was tight.
Bil y escaped. It wasn’t hard. It was pandemonium; people everywhere, mil ing about and not knowing what was going on as the lights had come up. He’d easily slipped away.
They closed early and the cops came. I talked to the people who ran the haunted house, including the guy who was head of security. Carl had already told them my story and they were kind and understanding. It was close to closing anyway, they promised me, no harm done. They seemed more worried about me than anything. The monster who got hit in the nose had only had it bloodied, not broken.
Malcolm and Detective Marker came together and got there quickly, using a Kojak light.
Malcolm walked right up to me, kissed the side of my head, then put his arm around my waist and didn’t let go. I was leaning into him when Hank arrived.
Hank came up to us interrupting our conversation, pul ed me away from his father, turned me into his arms and held me, tight. “How’re your ribs?” he asked.
I nodded that they were okay but didn’t answer verbal y. I was lost in his arms, taking what I could, wrapping my own around him.
The rest of the interview went on with Hank’s arms around me and my cheek resting against his shoulder.
Lee and Eddie showed simultaneously. There were a lot of meaningful glances with glittering angry eyes between the men.
Indy went home with Lee, Jet with Eddie, Al y went back with Carl. I gave Indy, Jet and Al y hugs before they went.
Daisy took Annette and Jason back. Hank and I walked them to the limo. People were standing around it, staring at Daisy like she was an unknown rock star, likely mistakenly thinking this fuss and muss was about her. I gave out more hugs and they left. Daisy and Jason stil looked pissed.
Annette looked worried.
Hank put me in his 4Runner and we drove home without a word exchanged between us, both of us lost in our thoughts.
There, in his kitchen, I looked at Hank.
“He could have hurt Indy,” I said.
“Yeah, but he didn’t,” Hank replied.
“He could have.”
“He didn’t.”
“Hank –”
“Let me tel you something about Indy.”
I closed my eyes and looked away.
“Look at me, Sunshine.”
I opened them and looked back.
“You said you’d die, you’d go with him, before you let anyone get hurt. Remember that?” Hank asked.
I nodded.
“There’s no way in hel India Savage would let that happen.”
“I barely know her,” I whispered.
“You’re wrong about that,” his arms slid around me. “You know her because she’s just like you,” he said.
That was one of the nicest things anyone had ever said to me.
Tears fil ed my eyes.