Darkness Follows (8 page)

Erin looked confused but grabbed her jacket. “Oh, that’s right. I’ll drive you.”

Mom stood. “No, no, Erin. I have my car. I’ll drop her off.”

My stomach sank.

“I should get going too.” She grabbed the check and tossed a handful of twenty dollar bills in the leather folder. “Well, goodbye, everyone!” she called over her shoulder as she headed out the door. I waved and shot Erin a ‘help me’ look.

A black stretch limo waited for us outside.
You have got to be kidding me,
I thought as I climbed in.

“Where to, miss?” the man in the black pin-striped suit asked.

“Orange Police Department, please.”

Mom gave me a smile. “Oh, lovely. I’ve wanted to see Seth again.”

“Umm.” My stomach twisted. “I think they’re pretty busy, Mom.”

She looked out the window. “Mmm…hmm.” She wasn’t there; she was deep in thought.

“Mom, you told me you were going to send me your itinerary, but you never did.”

She waved her hand. “I’ve been busy, honey. I have a lot going on.”

Me too!

“Yeah, so I heard,” I muttered. I smirked, and felt a little juvenile. “Mom, you know Seth lives with me now, right?” I wanted to go for the shock factor.

“Yes, he called me a while back, making sure it was all right with me.” She checked her makeup in her mirror. I couldn’t believe he didn’t tell me. Damn, he was always such a gentleman.
Well, most of the time.
I smiled a little.

I watched as my mother fixed her silk scarf so it sat perfectly. I shook my head. How could I have sprung from this woman?

We pulled up, and I hopped out, my mother on my heels. I checked myself in and gave Lou a look with ‘save me’ eyes, then turned to her. “I’m going to grab Seth and bring him out to see you.” Before she had a chance to protest, I was through the door.

I looked around and spotted Seth at a desk. I knew it was his lunch hour. A lot of times, he and the guys came to the station to finish up paperwork so they could leave at the end of the day.

Garrett was across the room and leaned over Campbell’s desk, looking at his computer screen.

“McPhee!” Johnnie yelled out. He ran over and wrapped me in a huge hug.

Seth looked up and jumped to his feet.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Johnnie gave me a ‘you’re in shit’ look.

“I’m looking for—”

Johnnie shifted aside just as Seth grabbed hold of my shoulders. He looked me up and down. “What’s wrong?”

I sighed. Why did he have to be so intense? “I just needed to warn you—”

His eyes flew around the room. “How did you get here?” His tone was sharp as he cut me off.

A little hurt at his tone, I stepped back and wiggled out of his grip.

“There’s that sexy young man,” my mother called out as she came into the room. She demanded attention as she made her entrance.

“That’s how,” I answered his question coldly.

His eyes dropped down to me. Then he plastered a smile on his face and looked over at her.

“Dr. McPhee, what a pleasant surprise.”

She hugged him tightly for a moment too long. I could tell Seth was uncomfortable.

“Seth, I’ve told you time and time again to call me Jenny. And
Mrs
. McPhee can be used on Emily someday.” She paused, smiling. “Or Mrs. Connors. Whichever you prefer, dear.”

“Mother!” I snapped. I wanted to die. Luckily, Seth didn’t seem fazed by her. He just shook his head and gave her the famous smile that made the women flock to him.

Johnnie, who was thoroughly enjoying this moment, stepped forward and removed his ball hat and introduced himself. My mother shamelessly flirted with him. He poured the flattery right back.

Garrett hugged me from behind. “How are you?” he whispered. He knew I must be on edge with my mother here.

“Fine.”
I’m tired of the question.

Seth moved closer to me. “So, Jenny is here.”

“Yeah, she showed up at The Goose. Then she insisted on coming here.” I paused. “I would have texted you, but you didn’t seem to be in a talkative mood all of a sudden.”

He closed his eyes. “Just have a lot on my mind.”

I gave a tiny smile and touched his hand. He flinched. I dropped it immediately and took a step back as my stomach twisted itself into a tight ball. What the hell was going on?

Garrett smirked. “Johnnie seems to be enjoying himself.”

“Mmm…hmm.” I rubbed my stomach. I wanted to go home. I wished I hadn’t left the house.

My mother bounced over to me like a fifteen year old. She loved it when younger men showed her attention, which would have been fine if she didn’t enjoy it so obviously.

“Don’t frown, honey, you’ll get lines. Well, you’ll get more.” She stared at my face.

“Thanks, Mom,” I muttered.

She took my hand and squeezed it. “Johnnie has invited us to go to a pub tonight with everyone.”

I shot him a nasty look. He grinned and crossed his arms.

Seth shook his head.

“Connors, give the girl a break. She needs to get some air.” Johnnie nodded at me. “Besides it’s the Triangle. It’s a cop’s pub.”

“Whatever.” Seth glanced at Garrett. They exchanged a look, and Seth seemed to ease a bit. Garrett winked at me. They had a way of communicating without having to speak. Talk about match-made-in-heaven partners.

“Jeez, how sick were you?” Mom looked at me, confused. “Never mind, we’ll meet you there at six.” She grinned. “Seth, dear, it was lovely to see your handsome face.” She leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Garrett smirked again.

“Mom,” I snagged her attention, “this is Garrett O’Brian, Seth’s partner.” I cocked my head to one side and watched the show begin.

“Oh my!” Her hands shot to her open mouth. “Look at you!” She beamed and rubbed his upper arm.

I grinned as Garrett stiffened from the display of physical affection. Even Seth hid his amusement with his hand.

Garrett cleared his throat. “It’s nice to meet you…”

“Jenny,” she interrupted him.

“Jenny,” he noted.

“Garrett, you look so young to be on the force. How old are you?” Her eyes narrowed in on his chest.

It took all my effort not to laugh.

Garrett grinned self-consciously. “Twenty-four.”

She then touched his upper arm slightly.

“All right, Mom, fun is over for now. We should go.”

I looked at Seth. He stared at the ground.

Johnnie leaned in. “She’s great.”

“She’s something,” I muttered back.

Seth leaned over as Johnnie left. “Be careful.”

“Yeah.” I felt the distance grow between us. He leaned in and gave me a quick kiss. He smiled at my mom and walked back to a desk.

I glanced at Garrett for an explanation of Seth’s behavior, but he shook his head, looking just as confused as I felt. Seth was so cold with me. His flinch from my touch replayed in my head. He’d never done that to me before. It really hurt.

Garrett pecked my cheek. “I’m sure he’s fine.”

CHAPTER THREE

I couldn’t shake the mood that Seth put me in. I fumbled with my hands the whole way to the bar. My mother sat across from me and sipped a drink from the limo’s mini bar. She was deep in conversation with someone from her office. She didn’t speak much to me when we were alone. Sometimes I thought she might be afraid I’d ask questions about Dad. She never talked about him. I guessed it was too painful for her. I ran my hands over my red dress and tried to calm my nerves.

When we arrived, the normal gang was there—most of them, anyway.

“Mom, this is Campbell and his girlfriend Vanessa.” She shook their hands.

Vanessa hugged me. “I was so worried,” she whispered. “I tried to call, but Campbell said to give you space.”

“I know. Seth is pretty good at shutting the world out for me. Now he shut me out again.” I shook my head. “Can we talk later?”

“Of course.” She pecked my cheek.

I turned to my mother. “And this is Riggs and Detective Michaels.”

She extended her hand. “Nice to meet you both.” She turned and batted her eyelashes. “Johnnie,” she cooed.

Johnnie stood and gave us both a big hug.

I pulled a chair out next to him, and my mother quickly took it. I cleared my throat. “Please take a seat,” I muttered and shifted to the next chair over.

Vanessa smiled at me. “Where’s Seth?”

I shrugged. “Not sure. I haven’t heard from him.”

“Doesn’t he text you, like, fifty times a day?” Riggs joked.

I forced a smile and shrugged again. His eyes softened as he realized something might be up. “I’m sure he’s on his way.”

“Yeah,” I whispered and wished that were true.

“Oh, honey.” My mom turned and touched my arm. “Don’t forget that Marc is coming at 9:30 Sunday morning to get you ready for the gala.”

“So I’ve heard.” I leaned back in my chair. I had no interest in going. The thought of meeting a bunch of stuffy people made me miss my father. He’d been so good at getting me through these events.

I glanced around the bar and tried to settle in. After being isolated from the public for roughly a month, I found it nerve-wracking being around a huge group of people again. I made small talk, but it took effort. I hated that I took note of everyone’s face who came into the bar. I was sure Lasko wouldn’t try and make a move here, but it scared the hell out of me that he was still out there somewhere. Plus, my mother being here didn’t help me relax in the slightest.

Garrett touched my shoulders. I quickly turned to face him, and he gave me a half smile. I knew something was up with Seth.

“Garrett?” I slipped to the verge of panic.

He rubbed his hands down my arms. “You need a drink?”

“Do I need one?” My eyes narrowed on his, desperately trying to read him. “Garrett?” My tone came out harsh.

Seth came through the door at that moment, so I backed off.

“Connors!” Johnnie yelled out and raised his beer to him. Seth smiled and patted his back. Garrett backed away from me.

“Hi, Jenny, trust you had a nice day.” Seth smiled in her direction. She waved and granted him her million-dollar smile. He turned and went over to the bar to order a drink. Vanessa glanced at me with sad eyes. I forced a pleasant expression, but I knew she saw right through it.

“So, Jenny, what’s this gala you mentioned?” Riggs asked.

“Well.” She shifted in her seat. She loved that everyone was interested. “Doctors Without Borders has been chosen as the main recipient for the annual fundraiser this year. Since I’ve been an active community member over the past twenty years, they asked me to be a guest speaker. I was thrilled. How could I refuse?” She glanced at me. “Plus, I get to see how Emily is doing with her school work, though I’m sure she’s doing fine. It shouldn’t be much of a challenge to get a teaching degree. I had hoped she would go into medicine.” She looked pointedly at me.

My grip tightened on my glass and my eyes started to water. I knew I had disappointed her in so many ways, starting with being born. She had made that very clear to me as I grew up. At least I knew my father loved me, no matter what.

“I enjoy the idea of teaching, Mother,” I hissed. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”

She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “No, I guess not, even though you’ll only make peanuts for a living. That’s not an attractive quality in a woman, honey.” She motioned her head toward Seth.

My chest started to feel tight, and I took a big sip of my martini. Vanessa reached over the table and touched my hand gently. She was such a sweetheart. I swallowed hard. “Thanks,” I mouthed.

Seth came back to the table. He sat next to me, but barely made eye contact.

“I would rather live in a shack and be happy, Mother, than live in a mansion and hate what I do every day. If a man doesn’t like that quality in me, then I don’t want him.” I paused. “I do quite fine on my own, anyway.” I sensed Seth tense, but I pretended not to notice.

“Lord, you’re one stubborn young woman, Emily,” she rubbed her temples as if she were annoyed. I caught Garrett’s smirk to Seth. “How do you deal with her?” she asked the table. I rolled my eyes.

“Heart of gold,” Campbell said in my defense. “She’s part of our family here.” He winked at me and gave Vanessa a kiss on her head.

“Thank you,” I mouthed to them both.

“Well, better you than me,” Mother tried to joke. I let out a puff of air. Man, this woman couldn’t say anything nice about her own daughter! “So, Johnnie, do tell me more about your day.”

Between my mother’s constant jabs and Seth’s coldness, I didn’t think I was going to make it through the night. I excused myself and went to the bathroom, pretending not to hear the protests to take someone with me. I pulled out my phone and called Pete.

“Hello, love,” he answered on the second ring.

I paused to hold it together. “Mom’s back,” I blurted out.

“Where are you?”

“I’m at the Triangle with the guys and her. Pete, she just showed up after how many months? Between her and Seth, I can’t…” I started to sob.

“Be outside in ten minutes.” He hung up.

I slipped past a bunch of girls who entered the pub. I managed to get out the doors without being seen and moved over to the corner of the building. Pete’s Mercedes soon pulled up. I opened the door and hopped in. Before I could say a word, he gave me a huge hug.

“Thank you,” I whispered through the tears.

“Okay.” He held up a hand. “What’s the Queen Bee doing here?”

I let out a long sigh. “There’s a fundraiser for her organization, a gala dinner Sunday, and I have to attend.”

He nodded. “Of course.” He knew Jenny all too well. “Now, what’s going on with Seth?”

I shifted in my seat to turn to face him better, and wiped my constant tears. “It’s odd. He was great, loving, and so attentive ever since I got back. Then three days ago something changed, and now he’s all Officer Connors with me and not my boyfriend. He’s pulling away again.” I ran my fingers along my cheek to clear my steady stream of tears. “I don’t think I can handle this. Between him pulling at my heart strings, and this psychopath, I think I may lose it. I’m barely holding it together. I—”

He grabbed my hand to stop my rant. “We all know Seth keeps everything balled up. Maybe he just needs some time to sort it out? Have you tried asking Garrett?”

I nodded through a shaky breath. “He and Seth are born from the same egg. He wouldn’t ever share something with me if Seth told him not to. Garrett gives me hints, but not much more. They have such a strong friendship.” I ran my hands through my hair and flopped my head back. “I’m emotionally drained.”

“I bet.” He squeezed my hand. “Em, I know you get asked this a hundred times a day, but I’m your oldest friend. How are you really doing?”

I looked him right in his eyes and felt like I was dangling on the edge. I couldn’t do it anymore. I burst into tears.

Quickly he leaned over and held me. “Oh, love. Just let it out. No one’s here but me.”

***