“Aye, they’re on their way. I just … I’m scared. Would you come? Please.”
“Sorcha, it’ll take me an hour to get there …” I sensed Allegra standing behind me.
“Please, Jared. Please.” I heard sniffling and stiffened. I’d never heard Sorcha cry.
“Okay. I’ll be there. But wait outside. Do not go in until the police get there.”
What a bloody day. After I hung up, I turned to Allegra with an exasperated sigh. “Did you hear that?”
Her expression was unreadable. “Something wrong with Sorcha?”
“She thinks someone broke in. The police are on their way, but she’s shaken up. I’m going to check it out.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip and then gestured to my phone. “Doesn’t she have anyone else she can call? I mean, you’re having an awful day yourself, Jared.”
“I’ll be quick.” I patted my pocket for my keys and realized I’d left them in the kitchen.
“Why—” Allegra slammed her mouth shut and sat down on the chair.
“Why what?”
“Why are you the person she called?”
She wouldn’t meet my eyes as I stared down at her. I wondered if she was put out about this. “We’re friends.”
“Oh.”
“Just friends,” I offered. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay.” She wouldn’t look at me. Instead, she picked up her sketch pad and proceeded to ignore me.
Unease churned in my gut.
Fuck.
This was all I needed.
Sorcha’s place was wrecked. Whoever had broken in had locked Brechin in the bathroom (thankfully hadn’t harmed the wee man), and not only stolen anything of any value but the arseholes had trashed the place. The police had already been and gone by the time I arrived, and I found Sorcha crying on her sofa surrounded by the mess.
“I’m sorry, Sorch.” I sat down beside her, clapping an upset Brechin with one hand and putting my other arm around Sorcha. “It’s going to be okay.”
“Is it?” Sorcha wiped at her nose as she looked at me. Her pupils were huge with shock. “Jared, I live alone. On a teacher’s salary. I can’t afford this emotionally or financially.”
“You have insurance, though, right?”
Her jaw slackened. “Insurance?”
“Insurance.” I rubbed soothing circles on her back.
Some of her tension eased. “Jared, insurance. Of course, I have insurance. I completely forgot about that. Oh, that’s something.” She leaned into me, resting her head on my shoulder. “I’m going to be too scared to go to sleep tonight.”
“Is someone coming to fix the door?” The doorjamb had been busted open.
“Later this afternoon.” She lifted her head, expression pleading. “But maybe you could stay tonight.”
I stiffened. “You know that can’t happen. Why don’t you stay with Donna?” I referred to one of her closest friends.
Hurt flashed across her face. “I keep forgetting you’re married. I just … I miss you.”
