Bodies pass me, but nobody appears to pay attention to another random person heading to his hotel. No one knows what I’ve done. I keep going straight. Patrick will wait several minutes before following me out, and we’ll rendezvous at the bar and decide what to do next.
Years seem to pass before we’ve got our drinks and are secreted away at the small back table.
Patrick takes a long hit of vodka before cutting the tension with his usual levity. “I think it’s safe to say that did not go as expected.” He pauses, studying our shell-shocked expressions. “And shit, I will never fucking get used to that sound.”
My eyes cut to him, but I can’t answer. Breaking bones is a sickening sound. Only this time, for me it was a sick satisfaction.
“We’re lucky that prick’s parents are dead,” he continues. “He ran Melissa off, and apparently he killed the only remaining person who loved him. I need another drink.” He turns to Star. “You okay?”
She nods, and we’re both silent as he leaves us alone again. My eyes are on the amber liquid in my glass, and I feel her eyes on me. No telling what’s going through her mind right now. We don’t even try to address it. We’re both in that place of trying to sort out what just happened, how we feel about it, and what to do with it.
It seems quick when Patrick’s back, dropping into his chair, slapping me hard on the shoulder. “You are one strong-assed motherfucker, you know that? At one point, I was sure I couldn’t hold you any more. I should’ve known I wouldn’t be able to stop what was coming.”
I shake my head and actually laugh. It’s kind of a loose laugh, but Patrick is such the fucking little brother I never had.
At last, Star speaks, and she’s back to her normal low, smoky contralto. “What happens now?”
Her question snaps me to attention. It’s time for me to shake it off. Man up, and be the leader I am. Scooting forward in my chair, I reach for her hand. Our next steps have been circling in my mind since we left the Bridgestreet.
“The best thing would be for you to go to the police. Tell them you were hooking up with some guy you just met, robbers broke in and attacked you both. You ran away scared—don’t even mention you know what happened to him.”
“If I don’t know what happened to him, why would I go to the police?” She’s not challenging me, just curious.
“She’s right.” Patrick leans forward on the table. “I think we should lay low and see what happens. If she thinks he’s alive, why would she involve the police? She could get herself in needless trouble, and I wiped everything I could find.”
For a moment, I press my lips together and think like a cop. I replay the whole scene in my mind again. “I ran my gloves over all the door handles. Unless he’s got her DNA on him somehow.”
“He hit me, but he didn’t scratch me.”
“He had his hands all in your snatch, in your ass…”
She chews her lips, and her eyes drop to her glass.
“That’s okay,” Patrick cuts in. “He’s in a place he shouldn’t be with his fucking pants around his ankles and his dick out. Nobody at his company’s going to want that publicity. They’ll cover that shit up, you watch.”
I glance around the small bar, and for now, we’re the only ones in it. Is it possible we could get away with this? I’m still calming my thoughts, but it seems like we might actually walk.
“The best way for a crime to be discovered is to have more than one witness.” My gaze travels from Patrick to Toni, a.k.a., Star. “Patrick and I have done things; we have experience keeping things to ourselves…”
Toni’s eyebrows shoot up. “Are you saying you don’t trust me?”
I work to even my tone. “There’s nothing stopping you from one day using this—”
“Other than the fact I’d be incriminated as well. I can’t fucking believe you.” She pushes her drink away and sits back in her chair. “Look, I’ve had to sit on crap. Shit, I’ve probably got more garbage locked in the vault than you with all your battle scars. You don’t have to worry about me. I told you I was in this for Tiffany. As far as I’m concerned, you’re the Angel of Justice.”
I exhale and polish off my scotch. “There’s no such thing.”
Toni shakes her head and stands. “I’m taking off. You don’t have to worry about me. I think you did the right thing. The only thing.”
Patrick calls after her. “I’ll check in with you in a few days.”
She keeps walking, and we sit for a moment in silence then I look up at my partner. “We’re finished here.”
He tips his glass and kills his vodka. “Fuckin A. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to see Elaine this bad since I’ve known her.”
Remembering my tension all those weeks ago and how good it felt to find Melissa waiting for me in my condo, I know he’s right. The best thing to soothe this pain away are her sweet arms, the reason I’m here.
My love.