“I guess I have to go back to women’s services. If they have a bed.”
“No, no—you’re gonna stay with me one more night. We have plenty of time to figure out your next move. Your card will probably arrive by Monday anyway—or maybe we could call your bank and explain what happened and they could send you a wire to one of the banks here?”
I take a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. “Maybe.”
“My flight leaves around noon tomorrow. I could call and ask for a late checkout for the room—that will give you a few more hours to figure this out too.”
“You’re so sweet, the best friend I’ve ever had.” I try to blink away what feels like a stabbing blade in my skull.
Her eyes bleed concern as she rubs both of my shoulders with her palms. “Tomorrow is a new day. I bet we can even get you back to LA if we put our minds to it.”
I sniff. She passes me a tissue from her purse. “Thank you for being here for me. I’ve been a mess lately.”
“That’s okay, honey. I’m always here for you. Remember that—you’re never alone. I’m only ever a phone call away. We’re practically like sisters.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
“Should I charge it to your room, ma’am?” The barista behind the bar at the hotel hands me a steaming hot latte.
“Yes. Can you charge it to my room—number 1001, last name Fraser.”
“Yes, miss.”
I back away from the counter, feeling a little on edge as I take my first sip of coffee. I thought Tahoe was a good fit for me, but now I’m not so sure. I told Kelly I needed caffeine ASAP this morning and that I’d meet her in the lobby since I’d finished packing before her.
My mind crawls through a thousand terrible possibilities as fevered anxiety floods my system. I haven’t even been gone from LA for a month, and no matter how hard I try to outrun my problems, they keep catching up to me. Out of the corner of my eye, I register that the elevator doors have just slid open, and Kelly is standing there, luggage in one hand, ragged Louis bag in the other.
She’s been a good friend the last few days, but still, I don’t trust her.
My muscles begin to tremble and shake as the hot latte splashes over the lip of my to-go cup and scalds my hand. I drop the coffee, and the hot liquid bleeds into the elegant Oriental rug.
“Shae?” Kelly calls, but I can’t move my lips to answer her. Tears flood my eyes as I realize what’s probably happened. Why I haven't heard from Dean or Jesika or even Bishop. Why Jesika’s social media has been silent. And I bet Kelly coming here isn’t even as straightforward as I wanted to believe.
“Shae?” Kelly bends, placing a concerned hand on my shoulder.
“Get away from me,” I seethe. I can’t think; I can only feel, and right now, everyone feels like the enemy. “Who sent you?”
“Excuse me?” Confusion wrinkles her brow.
“Answer me. Who sent you?”
“No one. No one sent me, Shae. I came to see you and get some fresh mountain air?—”
“No. No. No, you didn’t.” I turn, aiming for the front doors. I haven’t even reached the all-glass revolving doors when it hits me. “You were wired, weren’t you?”
“What? No, of course not. I’m not allowed?—”
“Liar,” I spit just as the first flash of red reflects in the glass doors.
“Shae—”
“Shae Halston? You’re under arrest for the assault and attempted murder of Jesika Layman and Dean Halston. Anything you say?—”
“No, that’s not me! You have the wrong person! My name is Mia Starr!”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Kelly Fraser, LLP
