Page 107 of Reckoning

They ducked their heads and got to work.

Tate walked out, got in his car, and drove back to the hospital, then went straight back to Room 312 and walked in.

Raina was still sitting by the bed. The monitors were still beeping proof of the faint sounds of Marjolynne’s life. He leaned over her bed and whispered in her ear.

“Mrs. LeBlanc…we found Caroline. She’s not lost anymore. Rest in peace, sweet lady.” He brushed a kiss across her forehead, then turned to Raina. “The police will be in touch as to when you can claim the body.”

“I can never thank you enough,” she said.

“It’s what I do,” Tate said, and turned around to leave the room. The monitor was still beeping, but slower, fainter. He was walking toward the elevator when he heard an alarm go off at the nurse’s station as he was passing, and knew what it meant.

Another soul was going home.

“And so, it goes.”

Chapter 19

Tate went home with a heavy heart, and into Briar’s waiting arms. She saw the shadows in his eyes, but didn’t ask. When he went into the bedroom to change clothes and shower, she followed him in beneath the spray, took the washcloth and soap away from him, and washed away the residue of his day, then took him to bed. They made love on their quilt until the sun was gone.

They were still lying in each other’s arms, riding out the last frissons of a climax.

“I needed every bit of what you just gave me,” Tate said. “From the cleansing to the healing, you always know.”

“You once told me that when I breathe, you exhale, and I told you, when you hurt, I cry. That’s how we roll. Also, I am officially hungry.”

He laughed. “Officially? That sounds serious. How about DoorDashing some gumbo and hush puppies?”

“Yes, please,” she said, and when it came, they ate until their bellies were full.

The ensuing days continued to stay busy for Tate, while Briar was on hold.

* * *

A week passed, and Tate knew Briar was getting impatient. He’d already given her a star, and if he could, he would give her a moon to go with it.

But the next morning everything changed. Tate was scrolling through messages when Briar came running into his office.

“Can you talk?” Briar asked.

“Always, honey. What’s up?”

“I have an interview at noon with David Gregory, the CEO of a shipping company located down on the docks. Wish me luck!”

He got up and hugged her. “Luck and all my love to go with it. Why don’t you go get your nails done? It’s early. You have time. Make yourself feel pretty. It will make the time pass faster.”

“That’s a good idea! I’ll call around right now to see who will take walk-ins,” she said, and ran out of the room.

He smiled at her enthusiasm. He already knew she would get the job, but he wasn’t going to tell her. She needed to hear it for herself, celebrate the offer, and come home to tell him the news.

* * *

Briar arrived on time for her interview, confident in her abilities and appearance. All she needed was the opportunity. But when she walked into the outer office, there was no one to greet her, a massive pile of mail was on the desk, and the door to the inner office was ajar. She could hear a man talking on the phone, and he was clearly bothered by something. As soon as she heard him end the call, she spoke out.

“Hello! Mr. Gregory?”

A middle-aged man with a shock of gray hair, a square jaw, and a nose that had clearly been broken at least twice appeared in the doorway, clearly confused as to who she was or why she was there.

“I’m Briar Lowe. We had an appointment? You need an assistant?”