He didn’t need this now. It was symptomatic of Meredith’s problem. She lashed out. No prisoners, taking everyone down. Like him before and countless others.
“Look, I don’t want to talk about this. What can you tell me about what you’re seeing? Anything I should know?”
“Actually, yes. I’ve spotted a couple of undercover detectives from the police department.” He didn’t even ask her how she knew. “They must have been listening to you to some extent. One’s right inside the entrance. To your right,” she said as he walked in.
Travis would never have pegged him as SLCPD. In a tux with the slicked-back brown hair and blue eyes, he looked like any of the other high-class attendees at this soiree.
“That’s Detective Johnson. Don’t let his polish fool you. He’s actually pretty good at what he does.” Again, he’d trust her at her word. “I’m only telling you this because he might be a possible ally tonight. If you should need it.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Anything else?”
“No, but it’s nearing ten, and I’m worried that whoever this guy is, he’ll probably be looking to leave soon.”
He had to agree. “Make sure to keep an eye on all the exits. I want an identification of anyone who leaves in the next half hour.”
“Got it.”
He glanced around, trying to look casual. Somewhere out here was a man who was holding God knew how many girls hostage at this moment, girls who were about to go to the highest bidder in less than two hours if he didn’t do anything to stop him.
No distractions.
Least of all from the woman sitting in that bathroom, alone. Scared and dejected. But also feeling the repercussions of the choices she had made.
She was strangely silent, though.
He checked the link he had on his cell phone to the equipment he’d decked her out with.
Damn. Nothing. He was getting nothing. He’d take bets that she’d taken off the brooch and earpiece.
So he couldn’t be in her head.
Maybe that was a good thing. For now. He didn’t need to hear anything more that Meredith had to say.
…
With her held as high as she could without running into a wall, Meredith had walked back toward the ladies’ room. She’d locked the stall behind her and shut the lid, then taken a seat and dropped her camera and earpiece in the canister meant for sanitary items.
There was no reason Meems and Travis had to share in her humiliation. That her life had come down to her sitting on a toilet, hiding in the women’s restroom from all the messes she’d made in her life.
She didn’t know how long she sat there, drowning in her misery, before someone tapped softly at the stall door.
“Meredith? Are you in there?” It was Allie.
Exactly what she didn’t need. A witness to her final breakdown.
“Yeah. Just a second.” She pulled a swath of tissue from the roll and wiped the dampness from her cheeks and under her eyes carefully. Hell. Who was she kidding? Her eyes were probably twice their normal size from the amount of crying she’d done. She stood and opened the door.
“When you didn’t show up to give your speech, I knew something had to be wrong,” Allie said, following her to the sink. “I hope you don’t mind that Sam’s giving it on your behalf.”
The speech. That’s right.
“No, that’s fine. I’m glad someone was being responsible.” She washed her hands, taking her time before grabbing some towels and drying them.
Allie continued to study her face. In a softer voice, she continued, “You’ve been crying. Is it Darcy? You know Travis will find her, and everything…”
Not again. After everything Meredith had done to this woman, Allie was still trying to be supportive. Trying to make Meredith feel better.
“Allie, I know it’s fifteen years too late and you have no reason to believe me, but I am sorry for how I treated you back in high school.” As if a dam was unleashed, Meredith’s words came out in a torrent. “I’m sorry I told you that Sam and I hooked up at that party all those years ago. I’m sorry I mocked you and tried to humiliate you. I’m sorry that I wasn’t the friend you deserved.”