CHAPTEREIGHT
Leomade himself look at the shelves before him as Beth conversed with the young girl who said her name was Jessica. Her voice was gentle as she tried to coax the girl into talking.
“Jessica, are you happy?”
“P-pardon?”
Leo made himself focus on the shelf before him when what he wanted to do was turn and watch, try to understand how he and society could have been fooled for so long about the true nature of Miss Elizabeth Whitlow. She was far from cold and aloof, that much Leo now knew… but very little else.
“Are you happy?”
“Why are you asking me that?”
“Because I was once unhappy, and you look as I did.”
Who made her unhappy?What the hell was she talking about? Surely no one had hurt her? The thought made him feel ill.
“I have to go.”
“Of course, if that is your wish, but I would say this to you before you do. If as I suspect you are being mistreated in some way, then it will not stop until you take steps to remove yourself from him.”
Leo heard the moan from Jessica. It was like that of a wounded animal, and made his stomach clench.
“I cannot run... he will find me!”
“He will not find you because I will not let him.” Beth spoke calmly, her words even and softly delivered. There was a surety in her tone the girl could not fail to hear.
“I have nowhere to run. I-it is not easy for the likes of me.”
“I understand that, Jessica, I really do. But I can help you if you let me.”
“No you can’t. My money goes to my family, they need it.”
Her words were high-pitched and panicky now. Leo was usually someone who liked action. He did what needed to be done; he never stood back and waited. For the first time in a long while he felt helpless.
“I will find you employment and I will give you money to help you until then.”
“Why?” The word was an anguished whisper.
“Because I want to help you, and because I know what it is to be scared and alone.”
Dear Christ, how does she know that?
“I-I must go.”
“Very well, and I will not stop you. But I want you to take my card, and know that all you have to do is come into this shop and hand it to whoever is behind the counter, and they will help you, Jessica. You will be removed from your life immediately, and put in a safe place.”
Leo did not hear the girl speak again, only the sound of the door shutting behind her. The silence in the shop was thick and laden with so many emotions, he could not begin to name them all.
He walked out from behind the cabinet and approached Beth. Her shoulders were back, eyes focused out the window, watching Jessica walk away.
“Beth.” He touched her, and she jerked away from him. She turned to look at him, and he saw tears of frustration.
“He’ll do it again.”
“Yes, he likely will, but you have done everything you can for her until she is ready to seek help.”
“It is not enough... it’s never enough.”
