“Why not?”
Her knees remained pulled up, covering her body. “Often, I was so busy that I just forgot to eat, period. And when Idideat, it was usually a can of tuna and some microwavable rice that Ikept in a work drawer.” She shook her head. “I really did lead a different life.”
“Do you miss it?”
She scoffed. “Never. It was one of those situations where you think you want something, but then you get it, and you’re like…is this it? And it just kind of feels hollow.”
“So what does living in Amber Ridge and working as an acupuncturist feel like?”
“The fresh air I didn’t know I was being starved of.” She frowned, popping a little bit of croissant into her mouth. “Or at least, it did until everything started happening with Scarlett.”
He scooped up the last bit of glass before looking at her. “It’ll be over soon.”
Yeah, that wasn’t something he could promise. But fuck, he’d do anything to give the woman some peace.
She swallowed. “I’m sorry I lost the USB.”
“You havenothingto be sorry for. You protected yourself, which is what you needed to do.” He rose. “I’ll get rid of this and set up the couch.”
He turned and started toward the door.
“Holden…”
He turned.
“Why did you come here today?”
“To tell you that I’m the biggest idiot on the planet and beg for your forgiveness.”
Her brows dipped. “What changed between last week and today?”
“I realized it was too late to run.”
That frown deepened.
“Let me know when you’re going to bed so I know you’re okay.” He closed the door quietly and stepped into the living area.
He’d just finished setting up the couch when his phone rang. “Jesse, you found something?”
“I’ve got a list of the hospital staff who weren’t on today. I’ll interview them tomorrow.”
“I spoke to Briar. She told me she had a twelve-hour shift.”
“She did. Deborah Fuller wasn’t on.”
Could she be involved? She was fit for a woman in her sixties, but in a fight, he’d put his money on Clara winning. But he didn’t know her well enough to say it couldn’t be her. “What about Helen?”
“She also worked a twelve-hour shift.”
He nodded absently. “Keep me updated when you have more information.”
“Will do. And you look after my sister for me.”
“I’ll protect her with my life.”
“I know you will.”
Holden hung up. After eating something, he had a quick shower in the hall bathroom before checking all the locks in the house. He was just sitting down on the couch when Clara poked her head out of the bedroom. She wore an oversized T-shirt, and fuck, she looked cute. But then his gaze caught on the cut on her head. The bruising on her neck. And that familiar anger slipped through the shield.
