The second she stepped outside, though, her hands twitched to reach into her bag and touch the pepper spray Sarah had just given her.
She hurried to her new Honda. It was actually secondhand but new to her. And she’d gotten such a good deal. She wasn’t sure if Noah had negotiated the price down before they’d gotten there, but it was a steal.
Thank God for Noah. After the first time trying to buy a car, she’d been nervous to try again. With him by her side though, the nerves had trickled away.
As she lowered into her car, her phone vibrated with a text.
Indie: Hey. Just checking in on how you’re doing today.
Bonnie’s heart kicked at her ribs. It felt so surreal to have Indie back in her life, but in the best way.
Bonnie: I’m good. Work was fine and Noah took me to buy a car at lunch.
Indie: Is it a good car?
Bonnie: It was a bargain, that’s for sure.
Indie: Noah must have gotten you a deal.
Bonnie: Thank God for big brothers.
Indie: Let me know if you need anything.
Bonnie started writing a response, but her phone rang mid-text, Jesse’s name on the screen. This was the call she’d been waiting for all day. So why did she suddenly feel so nervous?
One deep breath and she answered the call. “Hi, Jesse.”
“Hey, Bon. How are you doing?”
“I’m good.” Sort of. “Did you talk to Carlos?” She ran her fingers over the wheel, hoping he said yes. That Carlos had admitted to assaulting her. That he’d been charged.
But she also knew that the chances of that happening were slim to none.
“We did speak to him,” Jesse said slowly, and just by the tone of his voice, Bonnie knew she wouldn’t like what was coming next. “He has an alibi. He was with his brother at the time you were assaulted.”
She frowned, not sure what to make of that. “The brother could be lying though, couldn’t he?”
“It’s possible.”
“Or someone else could have attacked me.” She dropped her head to the wheel, suddenly feeling deflated and tired and so incredibly over it all.
“I’m sorry, Bon. We’re not stopping our investigation though, okay?”
“I know. Thanks, Jess.”
There was a small pause. “I also wanted to let you know that Carlos came in today to make a report against Zane.”
Her head shot up. “Zane? Why?”
“Apparently, Zane put his hands on him this morning.”
What the hell? “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. We talked Carlos down, but I know you two have been spending a bit of time together, so I thought I should let you know.”
She scrubbed a hand over her face. “Okay. Thank you.”
When she hung up, she lowered the cell to the middle console.
