CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
ELLIOT
To my great disappointment, the ride has been arranged by my family, and the driver takes me straight to my parents. Exhausted, I trudge to the door of their stuffy old mansion.
My mother answers quickly. Despite the late hour, she’s dressed for the day in a conservative blouse and slacks, makeup and hair impeccable. She puts her hands on my shoulders and whispers my name.
“Elliot. My god.”
She pulls me into a light embrace, highly affectionate for my family. “Mom,” I whisper back, and despite myself, the emotions nearly overwhelm me as I hug her.
My father, similarly dressed for the office in a full suit and thickly knotted tie, joins us in the entry room of my childhood home. His face twists with something like emotion before he coughs and slaps my back.
“Never do that again,” he scolds.
“I didn’t intend to in the first place.”
My mother’s hand goes on my shoulder as she leads me into the family room. “I have some plain vegetable noodle soup and dry bread on the way. Mint tea. What else do you need, Elliot?”
I sit on the baby blue chaise lounge. “I think I just want to get home and go to bed, honestly.”
They sit across from me. “Fine,” my father says as he adjusts his glasses. “We’ll arrange a car.”
I nod weakly. In a way, it’s a relief to see them. I didn’t know if I ever would again. But I’m still reeling, wrestling with guilt and confusion. And they’re looking at me like they always do, like I’m a problem and an inconvenience.
The food and tea arrive, and I thank their household manager, Heath, as he hands them off and retreats back to the kitchen.
A small sip of soup is like a drug.
“Quite an ordeal,” my father says. “You must be exhausted.”
“I can arrange a house visit from a doctor tomorrow,” my mother adds.
I nod. “Thank you.”
“Unfortunately,” my father continues, “this fiasco has created some headaches for the family and for the firm. There won’t be much time for rest.”
I shake my head, not sure I follow. “How does the firm come into this?”
“Considering your familial connections and Hansley’s employment, the agency has become wrapped up in all of these unsavory rumors. We’ve hired an outside team to repair the damage to our reputation. Professionals. But we’re going to have to ask some things of you.”
I rub my forehead, annoyed. Typical that he would call my near-death experienceunsavory. “I don’t know, Dad. Do we really need to talk about this right now?”
How much damage can a local news story do, anyway?
My mother hums under her breath, annoyed. “Unfortunately, yes, we need to talk about this now. I’m sure you’re eager to return to your decrepit house and those...friends.But your disappearance has created a scandal, and it’s your responsibility to the family to tend to it.”
“Taylor and Marko. You know their names.”
“We need you and Mr. Hansley to attend a press conference,” my father concludes. “Our team suggests that we go forward as soon as possible. Tomorrow, or the day after at the latest. They’ll send you some basic questions and prepare your answers ahead.” My face must show how I feel about that, because he tightens his brow. “You’re happy to come to the family for handouts, Elliot. That comes with obligations.”
I chew the inside of my mouth. I’m inclined to tell my family to fuck off kindly, but this also has to do with Hank and his job. The last thing I want to do is to make more tension for him there, and at least I’ll get to see him again.
Fuck. I need to get back to my friends. Hank only has Marko’s number. There’s no other way to be in touch with him.
“Okay, whatever,” I agree, impatient and ready to get out of here. “Can you send me the details?”
“Certainly,” my father says. “Now your siblings are waiting for a phone call. They’d each like to give you their well wishes.”
