Chapter Twenty-Two
Fears and Futures
Felipe could feel Gale’seyes on him as he sat in front of their desk in the head inspector’s office. “You don’t have to stay here, you know. I can tell Dr. Barlow to go find you when he’s done.”
“If it’s all right, I would rather wait.”
Gale gave him a long look but shrugged and went back to their work. Over the clack of the typewriter, Felipe could hear little of Oliver’s exchange with the head inspector, which was probably a good thing. Head Inspector Williams had been less than thrilled when he spoke to Felipe. It wasn’t every day an investigator killed their partner, especially not while that partner was trying to murder two other members of the Paranormal Society. By the time Gwen gave her statement, the head inspector had already spent his ire. Felipe hoped he was too tired to interrogate Oliver too heavily. He would already be upset; he didn’t deserve to feel even worse after everything that happened.
Scrubbing a hand over his face, Felipe sighed and stared at the door. Oliver had been in there for over an hour, but Felipe wouldn’t leave. He couldn’t stomach the thought of Oliver having to wander the halls alone after what happened. Would he come to Felipe’s room automatically or would he drift off to wherever his room was because he didn’t want to intrude without permission? And then, there would be rumors. Even if Jed died by Felipe’s hand, Oliver or Gwen might be blamed by the court of public opinion. If he had to stand on a table in the dining room and set things straight, he would. Felipe stuffed his shaking hands under his thighs. He couldn’t let Oliver walk alone and hear their accusations.
Felipe’s head snapped up at the jiggle of the doorknob. The tether tightened beneath his heart as Oliver emerged from the office and saw him waiting. Oliver looked as wrung out as he expected. Blood covered his collar but disappeared into the darkness of his jacket, and on his cheek was a small cut. More than anything, Felipe wanted to leap from the chair and catch him in his arms, but he feared it would be too much. Oliver’s gaze swept over the empty seats before returning to Felipe.
“Where’s Gwen?”
“She left with her sister, Ivy. I walked them out myself. She wanted me to tell you that she’s going to spend the night at her place, but she’ll be back tomorrow at noon.”
Oliver stood very still with his eyes locked on the floor.
That wasn’t good. “If it’s any consolation, she seemed all right.”
“How can anyone be all right after what happened?” Oliver replied, his voice sharp enough that Gale raised their head.
Standing close enough that only Oliver could hear, Felipe said softly, “You’re right. I’m sure she isn’t, but she’s safe at her sister’s. We can figure everything else out tomorrow. For now, let’s go to my room, okay?”
Oliver swallowed hard but nodded. If Oliver noticed people in the hall staring or the way they parted to let them pass, he didn’t say anything about them or the sharp looks Felipe gave them as they headed to the apartment. The moment the door closed behind Oliver, his shoulder’s sagged and he let out a strangled breath. Several more came behind it as he slid to the floor and covered his face with his hands. Rocking back on his heels, he shook out his hands in time with his breath.
“Oliver, what can I do to help?” Felipe asked gently, sitting on the edge of the rug across from him.
“I’ve been put on leave until the investigation is wrapped up.”
“Me too, but that’s standard procedure when something like this happens. I don’t know if that’s to put others at ease or to give us time to recover. I’m sure you could use a day off after what happened.”
“I don’t want a day off. I just want to sleep in my own bed and bathe in my own shower.”
“You can do that. I can take you—”
“No, I can’t. They have the lab blocked off while they do their investigation.”
No wonder he had never been able to find another door with Oliver’s name on it. “Your room is in the lab?”
Shame crumpled Oliver’s features as he bit his lip and nodded. That’s why he had insisted on using Felipe’s room and pretended he had an overnight bag in case of emergencies. Once again, Felipe wondered who had said something mean to make Oliver afraid to let him in.
“At least it’s a short commute, and you have your own shower.”
