I’m certain Landon knows that Sarah is talking to Marnie Evans. He’s got connections, and since Marnie is talking to othervictims—fuckin’ hell, my brother is such a douche bag that there are other women he has hurt—he might’ve gotten wind of it.
Joy has the “closed” sign turned out, but when I try the door, it opens.
Sarah is pacing. It surprises me. I thought she’d be curled up in a ball. She whirls when she sees me.
“You know, I think this is connected with what’s goin’ on at Blue Rock,” she blurts out. “You know what that means.”
I smile despite the situation. Her passion, her strength…fuck, but I’ve missed her so fuckin’ much.
Hugh takes his hat off. “Dr. Kirk.”
Sarah glances at Hugh. “Sheriff.”
Joy stands next to Sarah, subtle as a chainsaw that she’s there to protect her friend. How had I not seen how people gravitate toward Sarah, believe her, trust her—people who don’t even know her? And I, who did know her, failed her the most viscerally.
Self-loathing is something I live with now, and it crawls through me. I recently read some scientific studies on the trauma of rape, so I’ll be careful about what I say to Sarah and how I say it. It was an eye-opening endeavor.
What’s worse than rape?
Betrayal.
When you don’t believe a rape survivor, you question her; you rape her again and again.
“Joy.” Hugh looks at Sarah. “Can we talk here, or would you like to go to the station?”
“Here,” I bark at the same time as Joy.
Hugh looks at us, amused, and then focuses on Sarah. “What wouldyouprefer, Dr. Kirk?”
“Here is fine.” Her eyes aren’t glassy anymore. They’re clear, and her voice is confident again. There is no sign of the woman who cracked when she saw the brutalized dog.
Joy has a seating area by the dressing rooms, and we settle there. She gets us green bottles of some sparklingwater. I don’t open mine, but I twist open Sarah’s and hand it to her.
She drinks half the bottle and then wipes her lips with the back of her hand.
“So…do you think this is connected to Thunder?” Sarah demands.
Yeah, the vulnerable woman who was shaking in my arms is long gone. This one can hold her ground.
Hugh meets my eyes and then turns back to Sarah. “Feels connected. Somebody’s targetin’ both of you.”
Sarah’s eyes narrow with irritation. “Damn it.”
Hugh studies her for a moment and then asks, in a low voice, “Can you tell me why someone wants you to shut up, Dr. Kirk?”
Sarah stiffens for an instant and then releases a long breath. She gives me a pointed look. I can hear her question:If I tell him, Cade, it’s going to be out in the world.
“Tell him,” I urge. “Someone’s tryin’ to silence you, Sarah, and that ain’t okay.”
Joy rises. “I have some inventory to look through. Sarah, darling, you holler if you need me.”
With that, she leaves, giving us privacy.
Sarah folds her arms and then lets out a groan. “I fucking hate this.”
She doesn’t swear often, so I know she’s doubly frustrated right now.
“It is pretty hateful,” Hugh agrees.
