Chase frowns, setting the bags on the counter and pulling out his phone. "That's weird. I haven't heard anything about it." He taps something, waits. "Yeah, there's nothing on the team calendar. And Jenkins just posted an Instagram story fromlunch with his family, so the whole team's definitely not at a meeting."
The floor tilts under me. "So he lied."
Chase studies my face, concern creeping into his expression. "Maya, what's going on?"
"I don't know, but something's wrong. He's been weird for a few days, and now he's lying about where he is, and he's not answering his phone..."
My phone buzzes. It's an unknown number.
I answer immediately. "Hello?"
"Is this Maya Rivera?" A woman's voice, official and clipped.
"Yes. Who is this?"
"This is Officer Monroe with the Pinewood Police Department. We have Jackson Anderson in custody. He listed you as an emergency contact."
The room spins. "What?"
"Mr. Anderson was arrested approximately thirty minutes ago for assault. He's being processed now. If you want to see him, you'll need to come to the Pinewood station."
"Assault? Who did he..." But I already know the answer. "Dr. Carson. He went after Dr. Carson."
"I can't discuss details over the phone. If you want to see Mr. Anderson, the station address is?—"
I'm already grabbing my keys. "I know where it is. I'll be there in about two hours."
When I hang up, Chase is staring at me.
"Jackson's been arrested," I say, my voice sounds distant even to my own ears. "In Pinewood. For assault."
"What the fuck?" Chase is on his feet. "I'm coming with you."
"You don't have to?—"
"Maya." He grabs his own keys. "I'm not letting you drive to Pinewood alone when you're this upset. Let's go."
We're in his car within minutes, and I'm shaking so badly I can barely get my seatbelt on. Chase pulls out of the driveway,and I know I have to tell him, have to explain before we get there.
"Chase, I need to tell you something."
"Okay."
"Three months before I came here, I was raped." The words come out flat, emotionless. "At Pinewood Memorial. By my supervisor, Dr. Richard Carson. I reported him, gave HR everything: the rape kit, security footage, witness statements. They investigated for two weeks, then fired me for 'budget cuts' while he kept his job."
Chase nearly swerves off the road. "What?"
"Jackson found out months ago, and he's been helping me, taking me to therapy, helping me heal. And a few days ago, I told him Carson's name." My voice cracks. "He's been weird since then, and now he's gone to Pinewood and assaulted him. That's why he's been arrested."
"Jesus fucking Christ." Chase grips the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turn white. "Does Emma know?"
"Not about the rape."
"Fuck." He pulls over quickly, grabbing his phone and typing one-handed. "I'm texting her that we're going to Pinewood, that I'll explain everything later. I don't want her freaking out while she's pregnant."
"Thank you."
He finishes the text and pulls back onto the road.
