Chương 3
It was not an impulsive disappearance.
It had been organized.
That knowledge had done something ugly to her.
For several weeks she had stopped trusting even the good memories.
If he planned to leave while eating dinner across from her, then maybe he had planned everything.
Maybe the affection had been another thing he knew how to imitate.
Denise asked, “Did Mr. Cole ever hurt you?”
“No.”
“Threaten you?”
“No.”
“Control your money?”
“No.”
“Monitor your phone?”
Emily opened her mouth.
Closed it.
“I don’t know.”
Denise watched her.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I didn’t think he did.”
That was the problem now.
Every question had acquired a second answer.
The police officer returned just after noon.
Derek had been removed from the hospital and issued a no-trespass warning. Because Emily reported the earlier assault that caused the bruise, the officer had contacted an investigator in the domestic-violence unit.
Adrian’s punch was being documented too.
There would be no simple cinematic distinction between good violence and bad violence.
“He claims Mr. Cole struck him without justification,” the officer said. “The video shows Mr. Hayes behaving aggressively, but prosecutors will review the circumstances.”
“Will Adrian be arrested?”
“Not at this time.”
Emily hated the relief that moved through her.
She did not want to care.
The officer continued. “Mr. Hayes also made statements suggesting some prior business relationship with Mr. Cole.”
Emily’s stomach tightened.
“What kind?”
“He wouldn’t clarify.”
“Can I talk to Adrian?”
Denise looked at her.
“You don’t have to.”
“I know.”
The officer said, “Security can allow it if you want him here and hospital staff agrees.”
Emily stared at Noah.
He had finally fallen asleep.
His mouth rested slightly open.
Nothing about him had changed because the adults around him were liars.
That seemed important.
“Bring him in.”
Adrian entered without his overcoat.
Someone had taken it while he was being interviewed, or he had removed it himself. In the black turtleneck he looked less imposing and more familiar.
That was worse.
Emily noticed the faint indentation where his sleeve pressed against his wristwatch.
She hated herself for noticing.
Rachel stood near the door.
Denise remained in the corner.
Nobody offered Adrian a chair.
He did not ask for one.
Emily said, “What did Derek pay you for?”
Adrian looked at Noah first.
Emily’s voice sharpened.
“Look at me.”
He did.
“What did Derek pay you for?”
“To find you.”
The room seemed to contract.
Rachel looked at Adrian.
Denise remained still.
Emily’s body went cold beneath the hospital gown.
“When?”
“Eleven months ago.”
Before she had met him.
Emily counted without meaning to.
She had left Derek fourteen months ago.
She had met Adrian ten months ago.
The numbers aligned too easily.
“How?”
Adrian rubbed his thumb once along the side of his index finger.
“He hired the investigations firm I was contracting with.”
“You told me you did corporate security.”
“I did.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“No.”
“You said corporate security.”
“I also handled private investigations.”
Emily looked away.
Noah moved against her.
She kept her voice low.
“Why was Derek looking for me?”
“He told the firm you had taken property belonging to him and that he needed an address for civil service.”
“I took clothes and a blender.”
“I know.”
“You didn’t then.”
“No.”
“So you tracked me.”
“Yes.”
“How?”
Adrian hesitated.
“Public records. Commercial databases. Old address associations. Vehicle information.”
“My phone?”
“No.”
“My bank?”
“No.”
“Did you follow me?”
Silence.
Emily’s eyes filled.
“Did you follow me?”
“Yes.”
Rachel looked down.
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
“How long?”
“Four days.”
Emily thought about those four days.
She had been living in a studio above a laundromat in Arlington, working remotely for a dental-software company, using a folding table as a desk because she had left almost all the furniture behind.
She remembered buying groceries.
Taking out trash.
Crying once in her car after Derek sent a message from an unfamiliar number.
Walking to the pharmacy.
Being alone.
Except she had not been.
“Did you watch me through the windows?”
“No.”
“How generous.”
“Emily—”
“Don’t.”
He stopped.
“How did we meet?”
Adrian looked at her.
She knew the answer she wanted.
She wanted him to say the coffee shop had been chance.
The crowded Saturday morning, the spilled cup, his apology, her irritation, the second coffee he bought because he had ruined hers.
A stupid little beginning she had replayed while pregnant because it was one of the last memories untouched by his disappearance.
“Was that real?”
He took too long.
Emily nodded once.
“Okay.”
“It wasn’t planned the way you think.”
“I have absolutely no idea what to think.”
“I knew you went there.”
Rachel closed her eyes briefly.
Emily almost appreciated the reaction.
“You knew.”
“Yes.”
“So you bumped into me on purpose.”
“No.”
“You were standing next to me.”
“I was watching the entrance.”
“For Derek.”
“To make sure he hadn’t found you.”
“After he hired you to find me.”
“Yes.”
The answer sounded obscene in its simplicity.
Emily shifted Noah because her arm had started shaking.
Adrian noticed.
He moved toward her.
She flinched.
He stopped so fast that his shoe squeaked against the floor.
That hurt both of them.
Good, Emily thought.
Let it.
“Why didn’t you give him my address?”
“Because after two days I knew his story was wrong.”
“How?”
“He kept changing what you supposedly stole. First it was a watch. Then client files. Then money. He wanted photographs of who came to your building. He wanted to know whether you were dating.”
Emily looked at the bruise reflected faintly in the dark television screen.
“You could’ve told me.”
“Yes.”
“You could’ve called the police.”
“I didn’t have evidence of a crime.”
“You could’ve told me a man was paying you to watch me.”
“Yes.”
“But you didn’t.”
“No.”
“Why?”
Adrian’s voice changed.
Less controlled.
“Because I thought I could handle him.”
Emily laughed once.
There it was.
Not mystery.
May you like
Not sacrifice.
Ego.
