She gulps, face paling. I can practically see Nina slipping into her role as therapist, paddling through her past, dredging up the damage that needs healing.
“Men have dictated both of our lives. We’ve both stayed in unhealthy situations despite having all the means to get out.” She inhales, chewing on her bottom lip. “We’ve allowed ourselves to be controlled by cruel men, and we’re still doing it to this day.”
I offer a sad smile. “That’s the first step. Now, allow someone to help you heal.”
“I’ll look for someone. I know you’re right. I’ve just been too lost in self-pity to take the steps.”
I know all about self-pity. It’s hard to pull ourselves from it. We all need a hand. Nina was part of helping me out of mine, and I will be here to help her.
“You are smart and caring. You’ll find your new normal and you’ll escape his hold, Nina. I know it.”
She taps my hand. “Thank you for not being mad at me.”
“Why on earth would I be mad?”
“All the secrets. All the lies.” Her lip quivers.
“You had your reasons. I’m just glad you decided to allow me to shoulder some of this burden.”
“Want to shoulder more?” she says, voice catching. “Turns out, Richard went digging anyway. He found Ian.”
Oh shit.
“Is that what you saw when you touched him?” I lean forward, recognizing a little too late that I probably appear far too eager tohear a very painful story. Despite the seriousness of the situation, I probably look ready to bust out the popcorn and soda.
Cringe.
“I’m sorry, Nins. I don’t want you to think I’m getting any joy out of your pain. I’m invested. That’s all.”
She smiles. “I know that, silly. I would never think that about you.” She sits back in her seat, appearing a bit more relaxed. “Apparently, Richard tracked Ian down at a university.”
“Where? Close by?”
“Providence University. As soon as I left the prison, I started to research Ian and found that he was a TA there. English Literature.” Her voice has a swoony quality to it, but her face falls into a mask of stone, and I begin to worry.
“What did Richard do?”
“I…don’t know. I didn’t see anything but Richard stalking him through campus.” She leans in toward me. “Ian vanished.”
My head jerks back. “Vanished how?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
My eyes widen as all the possibilities surface. “He killed him?”
“I don’t know,” Nina says, voice rising. “Based on the timeline of information I found on the internet, the end of Ian’s digital footprint coincides with Richard’s visit to the university.”
Oh god. That’s not good news, considering Richard’s track record of violence.
“Richard did something,” I say, chewing on my fingertip.
A pained expression crosses over Nina’s tear-stained face. “I don’t know, but I need to find out.”
I pull my top lip into my mouth. “I’ll help. Whatever that entails,” I promise, and she frowns.
“What did I say about focusing on you?”
I shrug one shoulder. “Consider this my first non-ghost PI assignment. It’s good practice.”
