She looked over at Royal sheepishly. “I guess we’re about to be ear buddies.”Ear buddies. Oh my God, Franny Perkins, what iswrongwith you?
Royal smiled—which was really very kind of him considering how ridiculous she sounded. “I’m glad it’s an option. I want you wearing them anytime you leave the apartment. Just text me your schedule.”
Franny nodded. “Right. Sure.” Maybe she’d just never leave the apartment again.
“I’ve got to get going. I’m going to be late for my shift.”
She trailed after him to the door. “But you didn’t sleep.”
“I got a few hours before you called me. It’s okay. Part of the job.”
“Royal…” She didn’t know what to say.Thank youseemed so lame.I’m terrifiedwas definitely not his problem.
Royal gestured down to where Mr. Simmons stood with Mr. Delaney, discussing something underneath her back window. “Did you know he’s married to Daisy Delaney?” Royal asked.
Franny blinked at the odd segue, but then she nodded. “My friend Vi? Her husband is friends with Mr. Simmons, so shemether.”
“So did I. She was in my apartment. Foisted a baby off on Simmons while he was getting me set up.” Royal shook his head. “Hell of a thing.”
“I desperately want to ask her a million questions for a million book ideas, but that feels pretty… I don’t know. Crass.” And it was nice, to end this strange interlude on something that wasn’t threats and fear.
She supposed that’s why he’d brought it up.
“Crass,” he repeated. Then shook his head. “I’ve got to go. You should get some sleep. I’ll come back tonight after my shift, and we’ll talk about how…all this works.”
She nodded. “Yeah. That sounds good.”
“You’re worried about something, you call me. You need to leave after you’ve gotten some rest, text me. We’ll try these out.” He held up the earbud case.
“Got it.”
“And remember to—”
“Set the security. I know, I know.” She tried to smile at him. “I appreciate…all of this.”
“You appreciate having your life upended by witnessing a crime?”
She laughed in spite of herself. “No. Not even a little. But I do appreciate what everyone is trying to do to bring Albennie home and keep me safe in the midst of it.”
ROYAL JOGGED DOWNthe stairs, hoping he’d be able to catch Simmons before he left. There were things he wanted to discuss without Franny hearing.
Not that she didn’t deserve to know everything, but he needed to make sure his suspicions were on the right track, and he wanted to get a better sense of Zach Simmons.
That story back in the sheriff’s office, about women who came here to hide from pasts, it made sense. Hell, he knew firsthand just how complicated pasts could be. Simmons’s information explained the predominance of women, the businesses leased toonlywomen. It explained a lot.
And if it was true, Royal couldn’t help but respect it. It was a hell of an idea. He could have used it for a few of the girls stuck in the Sons’ life.
But it also led them to where they were now, which was putting Franny in danger all because she’dseensomething. Because he’d leased her an apartment to add “normal” people to the town.
It wasn’t right.
Simmons was at the back of the building now. His partner was nowhere to be seen. Which was good. Royal wanted to keep as many things on the down-low as possible.
“Simmons, I need to talk to you.”
“Sure. Have at.”
“This break-in, this threat. Is it my imagination, or is the timing suspicious?”
