Before I can make it back to my office I run intoScott.
“Hey,” he says, all cheerful and shit like he wasn't up half the night withme.
“I have to get back towork.”
He stops me with a light hand on my wrist, which he drops the moment I look down at his fingers. He's friendly, but I'm sick of people rightnow.
“Hey, what did Murrellsay?”
“Did you tell him about Dorrit?” Iask.
“No. Why? I just told him that you fucking handled a B and E last night. He was pissed no one had heard from you. I figured attempted murder was reason enough for you to be out of the office. What did he say to you? You'reshaking.”
“I'm fine. I'movercaffeinated.”
“What did hesay?”
“To stop being a fatalist and get back towork.”
“What?” Scott says, like he’s shocked. Like he doesn’t know that Murrell is a hugedick.
“Can you pleasestop?”
“What? What did Ido?”
“Ijust—”
“Wait. Come here.” He nods toward the corner. “Comehere.”
I roll my eyes and follow him down the hall. Our office has a surprising number of quiet nooks and crannies filled with things like extra copy machines and water coolers. We find a quiet alcove outside of a small conference room no one ever uses. He turns to faceme.
“Talk tome.”
“Stop acting shocked. Okay?” I say. “I’m accusing a man whose family owns half the wealth in the Northern Hemisphere of trying to kill me.Ikilled the person he supposedly sent to kill me last night. The cops probably think I just killed a guy and I’m trying to pin it on Dorrit like an actual insane person. Murrell couldn’t give less of a shit if I died. Bringing the Dorrit aspect to his attention would probably give him reason to toss me to the curb just so he doesn't have to deal with the hassle. So I should just go back to work.Right?”
Scott sighs and runs his fingers through his slicked back hair. Seriously, I can't stand how fresh and well rested he looks. How calm. I want my fucking calmback.
“How can I help?” heasks.
“I don’t think you can. I don’t want to go back to my place. I’m not even sure I should have stayed at your place lastnight.”
“Why?”
“Because Dorrit tried to have me killed, Scott,” I say slowly. “I feel like a fucking broken record and everyone is hearing all the music but that one key part. If it was that serious to Dorrit, you don’t think he’ll try again? I don’t want him to try again. And I don’t want him to hurt you or anyoneelse.”
Scottsmiles.
“What?” Isay.
“I’m just thinking about Jeffers calling you a frosty bitch. If he could see you now. You do have a heart,Lewis.”
“Yeah if only Jeffers wasn’t busy being indicted for fraud. I've always had a heart. I just don't share it with you soulless people.” I let out a deep breath. I know what’s coming. I’ve been through trauma before. I tried to hold Brooklyn’s hand the best I could as she processed our parents’ death in her own way. I tried to be there for Claudia. I know how this goes. It gets worse, so much worse, before it gets better. And that’s if I can get anyone to take this murder for hire situationseriously.
I swallow and tell Scott the truth. “I’m scared. I'm scared to go back to my place. I'm scared to be alone. I'm scared to be near anyone I care about. I'm scared that my body is gonna wash up in the Hudson some day very soon. And what about Kelsey? I have no clue if something happened to her. I feel like I have to warn her. I need to try and get in touch withher.”
“I have an idea. Let me look intothis.”
“Youdon’t—”
