He nodded slowly.“Okay.That’s good.And your injuries?”
I picked at the imaginary lint on my jeans as I answered.“The doctors are hopeful.And the pain has been occurring less and less.”
“That’s great.I’m glad.”He leaned back and stared at me.
I looked everywhere but at him for a time, growing uncomfortable the longer the silence lasted.But I could only hold out so long, and I finally met his gaze.“Is there something else?You could have asked me that at the vending machine.”
“No, it isn’t everything.I was wondering if I could pick your brain about something.”
“Okay.”
“How much do you know about Hope’s Embrace?”
I chuckled.“What don’t I know is probably a better question, though I guess I wouldn’t be able to answer that because I wouldn’t know what I don’t know.”
“Cadence.”
Something in his tone had me sitting ramrod straight.“I’ve supported them for years.They’re good people.I mean, look at Janice, she’s practically one of their success stories.I’m not sure what you want to know.”
“Just your impressions.”
“Well, they’re pretty transparent.Their main office is out of New York City, but they have shelters all throughout the country.I think the last time I checked that, they have a presence in forty-three states.The Midwest has been a bit more difficult.Every year they raise funds for multiple things.”I raised my hand as I ticked them off.“The obvious—domestic violence.That’s their biggest one.Child abuse.They’ve stepped in for rape victims, custody battles.They help people who need to start their lives over get affordable housing and new jobs.They have a handful of scholarships for those in need to take advantage of.They do hygiene care packages for anyone to walk in and request, especially for the homeless and women.They’re a support system for pregnant women, especially teens.Help provide mental health services.It’s extensive.You’ll need to be more specific on what you’re looking for with them.”
“You really do know everything about them, don’t you.”
“I support them for a reason.”
He rubbed at the black scruff along his jaw.“Right.”He mulled over a thought before finally asking, “You don’t believe they’d ever be capable of getting into anything illegal.”
“Illegal?”I scowled.“Like what?”
He shrugged.“Anything.Maybe money laundering.”
My eyes grew wide.“That’s...”I wasn’t sure what to say to that.I shook my head furiously and got to my feet.“No way.Never in a million years.I’ve met the founder multiple times.She’s a little old lady.Heck, she just recently adopted a kitty she found on the streets.And she’s fostered multiple kids throughout her lifetime.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Her granddaughter runs her social media and posts about all that kind of stuff.”I waved it off.“But no.No way.They’d never risk their nonprofit for something like that.And they are nonprofit.There’s no money to be had in that.”
“I looked into their financials.They’re doing really well.There’s a lot of money involved.”
“And a lot of moving parts that cost money.I’m working with them to make a musical.”
Davies perked up at that.“They have a team able to do that?Who are they working with?”
“A producer named Arden Laurens.”
Davies pulled his phone out and typed quickly.He stood up.“This was helpful.Thank you, Cadence.”
My face heated, and I felt like I’d done something really bad.“They aren’t doing anything bad,” I said stubbornly.
“I hope you’re right,” was his only response.“Thank you for talking with me.”
“Don’t...don’t be reckless,” I finally said.“Don’t ruin them.”
“I have no intention of dragging them through the mud, I promise.”
That didn’t make me feel better.
