Thinking back to how the Madison police had grilled her for hours, she grimaced.“As much as I’d love to talk to Damien, too, the police have the investigative resources to find him more than we do.”
“Maybe, but I think you might know more than you realize.”Micah’s elbow bumped into hers as he took another bite of his sandwich.Sitting so close to him was a bit unnerving.She knew he’d only chosen to sit beside her so they could talk privately, not because he wanted to be close.
She’d always admired Micah.In high school, she’d harbored a secret crush on him.When Micah had convinced Tommy to join the army with him, she’d written letters to the both of them.Hearing they were going to be coming home had been a relief.
Only Tommy had been killed before he could make it back.
The army had paid for Tommy’s funeral, and Micah had stood grimly beside her throughout the day.Several times he apologized for what had happened.It was as if he felt guilty.She’d assured Micah it wasn’t his fault.
Looking at him again now, she found herself wondering about Micah’s personal life.He didn’t wear a wedding ring, but that didn’t mean much.Micah could have a steady girlfriend or even be engaged.
And now she’d dragged him into her mess.Her stomach knotted again.“I’m sorry.”
Micah arched a brow.“For what?This isn’t your fault, Bryn.”
“My poor decision to date my boss didn’t help.”She toyed with a french fry.“I’m sure you have better things to do with your personal time than sit here with me.”
A crooked smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.“If you’re asking if I’m seeing someone, I’m not.I’m here because I want to help.”
The flash of relief at knowing he wasn’t involved wasn’t warranted.It wasn’t as if Micah had ever expressed an ounce of interest in her.He’d always treated her as a friend, nothing more.“I appreciate that.But what about your job?”She frowned.“Actually, now that I think about it, I don’t know what you do for a living now that you’ve left the military.”
“I work private security.”He waved a hand.“Don’t worry, my boss knows where I am.”
“Great.”She was glad his boss had granted him some vacation time.Which brought her back to the fact that she didn’t have a job anymore.Maybe if Damien was found and was innocent of embezzling money, she had a chance of returning to her position.But after spending hours with the police, Richard Freeman had made it perfectly clear her services were no longer needed.
She hadn’t even had time to consider the impact of losing her job.She had enough vacation time to cover her for two weeks, but after that?She didn’t think unemployment would cover her mortgage payments.And despite having been with the company for the past four years, Bryn knew Richard would fight her unemployment claim.The way they always did when employees were let go.
Bryn swallowed hard at the realization that she’d have to sell her house.It wasn’t the end of the world, but without a decent reference, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to find another position.
Pushing her half-eaten food away, she lowered her head and blinked back tears of despair.This wasn’t the time to be thinking about her future.Or lack thereof.
Damien was still missing, and she was growing worried that something bad had happened to him.
She abruptly realized the gunman who’d targeted her was likely looking for Damien.Whoever that person was might assume—the way the police had because they’d dated—that she knew where he was.
Too bad she was clueless.
“Bryn?You need to eat.”Micah’s brow furrowed.“Stressing over your boss isn’t going to help.”
“I know that.”Again, she squelched a flash of annoyance.“But I can’t just stuff my feelings in a box.Someone fired a gun at me.”
“I understand.”His tone softened as he added, “But you’re safe now.”
She ate another french fry, forcing herself to think through the past few weeks.Was it possible Damien had a gambling problem?Maybe he owed someone money and that’s why the gunman was sitting inside her house waiting for her to arrive.Although the way the gunman had fired at her, rather than trying to force her to talk, didn’t support that theory.She’d never witnessed Damien gambling, but it suddenly occurred to her that someone else might know more about her boss.“Do you think the police have already spoken to Damien’s former girlfriend?”
Micah turned to stare at her.“He had another girlfriend?”
“Yes, a woman named Lori Eastman.”She sighed, realizing she should have thought of Lori earlier.“They broke up last year, several months before Damien and I began seeing each other.I was just thinking she might know more about his personal life than I do.”
“I take it she lives in Madison?”Micah wiped his mouth with his napkin.“Do you have an address?”
She frowned, thinking back to the days she’d sent flowers and other gifts to the woman.“I believe she lives downtown, not far from the medical center.The address is 112 West Lange Drive.”
“Okay, we’ll head back to Madison.”He gestured to her unfinished food.“Please try to eat more.You need your strength.”
Swallowing a sigh, she ate another couple of french fries.Then she gently nudged him.“I’m ready, but I need to use the restroom before we leave.”
“Okay.”He slid out of the seat and stood.Their server rushed over with the bill.
