Page 7 of Psycho

Private information like this was hard to come by. Barrett really went the extra mile for me.

“I have a daughter about your age, you know.”

I glanced up. He had mentioned his daughter a few times in the past. Bubbly, charming Ruby, the town’s sweetheart. Everyone loved her.

“She would get mixed up with the wrong guys sometimes,” Barrett went on. “Guys who didn’t realize how precious she was.”

My throat grew tight and I looked away.

When I was eight years old, my parents gave me up for adoption. They had five other kids to care for, well-behaved, healthy, and accomplished.

But I was the problem child that nobody wanted in the first place. And with my laundry list of behavioral issues, my mother made it very clear what she thought of me.

You’re just too difficult, Roberta. I can’t deal with you.

I closed my eyes at the memory. Those were the last words she said to me before I was surrendered to foster care.

My father remained silent. I couldn’t tell if that was better or worse. He didn’t push me away, but he didn’t fight for me either. There was…nothing.

He certainly didn’t talk about me the way Barrett talked about his daughter.

“What are you getting at, Chief?” I prompted.

He crossed his arms.

“You’re keeping tabs on a fugitive for this friend, Bobbie. A violent fugitive.”

I took a breath to argue, but he plowed on, driving his point home like a kick to the chest.

“Does he even know you’re doing this in the first place?”

I bristled and stuffed the envelope into my jacket pocket.

“I have to go.”

Barrett caught my elbow lightly.

“Don’t do that,” he said, quiet but firm. “Don’t go running off. I didn’t mean to hit a nerve.”

I rocked back on my heels. I liked Barrett. There was something comforting and soothing about his presence. He could be tough and stern at times, but he was patient, too. And in a way…I guess he felt like a father figure to me.

But he had a steady life—a good life.

He had a respectable career with the fire department, working his way up from cadet to chief. He was on amiable terms with his ex-wife after their divorce, and he had a beautiful, successful daughter. He even had grandkids, for Christ’s sake.

He didn’t know what it was like to watch your life fall apart, over and over, because your own brain didn’t work right.

Arrow was the only friend I had in this world. And I would do everything in my power to protect him. That included protecting him from me. I had to keep my distance, for Arrow’s sake.

“I’m just worried about him,” I muttered.

Barrett’s gaze softened.

“I’ll let you know if I hear any further developments. In the meantime, why don’t you come inside? I can make hot cocoa.”

I managed a small smile of gratitude.

“Believe me, that’s very tempting. But I really do need to go.”