“Nope. You look like my brother, but until you’re yourself again and have taken the antidote, I don’t trust you.”
Brandon nodded. “I understand.”
He should have looked sad. It was like talking to a robot version of Brandon. He was missing what made him human.
We turned to leave and Brandon said, “Elizabeth, I’m sorry I don’t remember you and I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.”
“Thank you.” As we left, I felt a sense of closure. I didn’t know how much of this conversation Brandon would remember if he took the antidote, but it had been right to speak. I wasn’t angry about how our relationship had ended anymore, just how he’d treated Christopher.
. . .
I had invited Luke and Ella to the house on Friday night for dinner so they could ask their questions about Eric.
I’d dressed in jeans and a soft pink sweater and was determined to speak tonight. I’d spoken to Brandon and in court, I could speak to them. Christopher had faith in my success.
The Wilsons arrived on time in a new white Civic. Had they brought the invoice for their work, as I had yet to receive a bill?
“Come in, come in,” said Christopher after they rang the doorbell and he’d opened the door. I hung back as they entered. I let him be his charming, extroverted self.
“We’ve met,” he said, extending his hand to first Luke, then to Ella, “But I wasn’t at my best. I don’t remember much from that night.”
Ella handed me a bouquet with a friendly smile. “Thanks for having us here. Much nicer than at the office.”
Luke and Christopher chatted about house maintenance and their favorite BBQ methods and sauces.
“I’ve been meaning to ask,” I said. “I don’t want unpaid bills. You said you’d send me the fee for your work, but you haven’t.”
Luke extracted a white envelope from his back pocket and handed it to me.
Christopher led them into the kitchen while I trailed behind and opened the invoice. I had some money saved and hoped it would be enough. I couldn’t have gotten Christopher back without their help. Whatever price they’d charged was worth it to have him home and whole again.
“Is this a joke?” My voice wasn’t very loud, but Luke turned.
“Nope,” he said, turning to face me. His eyes were serious.
“My first big case brought in a lot of money, and we’ve made it last. We keep our expenses down by paying low rent for that crappy office. We work as much as we want. Contract jobs for corporations or the police, we charge a substantial fee. A regular citizen like you, expenses only. All we ask is good references or referrals, and you’ve already hooked us up with the Portland PD. We’ll get more contracts with them if we find this creep.”
“You charged me for two cups of coffee and a tank of gas,” I said. “I owe you $87.25? That’s it? You said getting him from the lab would cost extra.”
“It was free before that,” said Ella with a smile. “It’s the least we could do.”
I was speechless with their generosity. They’d donated their time and energy. They’d taken risks. Tears swam in my eyes.
“Hey,” said Ella, stepping forwards and hugging me. “We were happy to help.”
“We heard about your day in court,” said Luke. “Seems to have helped get your voice back.” He put his arm around his wife as she stepped back, and they smiled at each other.
I nodded. “My therapist was right. She said I needed to find the right incentive.”
I smiled at Christopher. He kissed me.
To my surprise, dinner was fun.
After we devoured the strawberry rhubarb crumble with vanilla ice cream, we got down to business at the round wooden kitchen table. Christopher held my hand.
“Did you ever hear Eric called by any other names?” said Luke.
I shook my head. I’d wracked my brain all week, trying to think of anything that might help. I had an exceptional memory, but I’d spent a lot of time the last few years repressing the memories of my time with Eric.
