The Lost One (Lost Series Book 1) (29 page)

“Who?” he asks before I can continue. His demeanour does a flip and he is suddenly alert to everything and looks rather pissed. I can only imagine how he is feeling. It’s probably how I felt when Abby was shutting me out and dealing with everything on her own.

“His name is Blake. He is a cop and he tried to help Abby as well.” It looks like he is about to say something, but I quickly hold my hand up to stop him. He pauses, closing his mouth and setting his lips in a thin line, so I keep going.

I proceed to tell him about the run-in with Jacob on the street and how Blake came just in time before it got too out of hand. I don’t look at Corban while I tell him. I can already feel the anger vibrating off him surrounding me, making me feel uneasy.

Then I tell him about the message this morning. I even show him the picture as well. I tell him how I’ve forwarded these on to Blake and he is looking into it.

“And then when I came home tonight, I found those roses on my bench…already in my house. I’m kind of freaked out by them since I already know they aren’t from you as you would have attached a card and you surely wouldn’t have given me a dead rose amongst the others.”

“You got that right. They aren’t from me. Did you tell this Blake guy about the flowers?”

“No, not yet. I was getting there, but everyone was here. I will do it now.” Picking up my phone, I text Blake telling him about the flowers.

“Why didn’t you tell me about all this?” The tone of his voice is hard and unforgiving.

“I didn’t want to worry you and I had already told Blake…”

“Can you trust Blake?” That question floors me. I can trust him, can’t I? He did try to help my sister in her time of need, but what if he is working for Jacob. I couldn’t put that past him. Wait, no…what am I thinking? Of course, I trust him.

“Yes, I trust him,” I say confidently. I can see the sadness in his shimmering green eyes the day of the court hearing. He really cared for Abby. She must have left a piece of her engraved on his heart.

“Okay, well then, I trust him as well.” His hand reaches over for mine. I look into his bright blues, which look hazed with concern.

“It’s okay, babe. I’m sure Blake is doing all he can.” I lean over, planting a small kiss on his warm lips. My phone begins to ring, making me jump with fright. I snatch it up, looking at the screen. it’s Blake.

“Hello, Blake?” My heart is in my throat as if I’ve swallowed something the size of a golf ball that just won’t go the rest of the way down.

“Hey, Melodi, sorry to interrupt your night. I’ve looked into the number the messages were sent from and it’s a pre-paid phone, which are a little harder to track, but don’t worry, I will keep trying to find out. Now the flowers?” He is talking fast, clipped, and straight to the point. Even a little worry emanates through the phone line.

“Yeah, they were in the house when I got home.”

“Is there anything you’re missing?” I glance around, my eyes darting everywhere, checking and rechecking. Everything seems to be in order.

“No, everything looks to be here.”

“What about jewellery?” My stomach lurches into flips. I release Corban’s hand and take off to my room. I’m running with a purpose.

“I’m just checking.” I reach my jewellery box and slowly lift the lid. I kind of have a feeling it’s gone. It’s the only thing I have of hers apart from pictures. My hands begin to shake as I stare into what looks like my now empty jewellery box. Everything’s there, apart from the one piece that means everything to me. Abby’s necklace…

“Oh, no…” I breathe. My stomach feels as though I’ve had the wind knocked out of me.

“What is it,
Melodi?” Blake is asking, he sounds panicked now. My chest is constricted. The one thing I have of hers is now gone.

“Abby’s necklace is gone,” I whisper into the phone. I feel
Corban’s arms around me in an instant. Sadness fills my heart and flows through my entire body. I’m so grateful Corban is here. He is my rock who stands firm and will be there to support me through this hard time.

“Just her necklace?”
Blake asks.

“Yeah, that necklace is that last thing I have of hers. The police found it covered in blood in his apartment after she disappeared.” My voice is rising. I know getting angry at Blake isn’t the smartest thing since he is helping me out, but he made light that it is just a necklace. Well, not to me it isn’t. It has meaning and value to me.

It’s not just a necklace to me and I believe Jacob knows this. That’s why he took it. Blake is silent for a second before he starts speaking again.

“
It’s okay, Melodi. Is it okay if I come around and bring one of my crime scene guys with me?”

“Crime scene?”
Why does he need them for?

“Yeah, I would like to see if there are any fingerprints on the box and door, things like that.” He has a calming voice and is very patient.

“Oh, yeah, that’s okay. Are you coming now?” I look at the time. It’s now closer to midnight and exhaustion is beginning to set in.

“Yeah, is that okay?”

“Yeah, sure, no worries.” I hang up and turn into Corban’s body. His arms tighten around me, comforting me and keeping me stuck together. He is the glue keeping me in one piece. He is super strength. I smile into his chest at the thought.

I never thought we would get to explore our feelings for each other because of our work situation, but being here with him now, I would gladly get a new job if it meant keeping him in my life. I don’t think he cares about the stupid rules, ethics, or whatever was holding him back, which I’m happy about.

“Are you going to be all right?” he whispers in my ear, his breath tickling me and sending a shiver down my spine.

“Yeah, I’m just scared because I know what he is capable of.” I hold him tighter; never wanting to let him go. His calming scent surrounds me. I breathe it in and relish it.

“I know, but I’m sure this Blake guy will do all he can to help you.”

We stand in silence for a time until I hear a loud knock at the door. We release each other and I go answer the door.

There, standing in my doorway, is Blake with another guy. Blake is dressed in his uniform looking damn fine. I hope my mouth is closed. His bright green eyes meet mine. Even though I saw him the other day, I was too interested in getting back to work to help Corban. Speaking of him, I immediately feel his presence directly behind me.

“Hey, Blake, come in.” I step aside allowing him and his co-worker in.

“Hey, so we don’t want to keep you too long. We will get started right away. Jonno here will take a look at the door. We will also need your prints for elimination and if you could show me to the jewellery box.” Wow, talk about all business and right to the point.

“Umm…sure no worries, this way.” I walk off with both guys following me while the one Blake calls
Jonno goes to work on the door.

I lead him to my room where it is.

“There you go. Oh, Blake, this is Corban. Corban, Blake,” I introduce them so there’s no awkward business going on. I leave and go sit in the living room. Corban stays with Blake while he does his thing. I can hear their mumbling voices, but switch off not really paying attention. My thoughts are all over the place. I can’t form one coherent thought right now. Jacob knows where I live. He can get into my house. He thinks Abby is still alive, which is impossible. It’s been three years for goodness sake! He needs to be in a mental institution!

Why has Jacob decided to terrorise me? What if Abby really is still alive? There was no body found and to this day no one knows what happened. After the trial, the case went cold and nothing more was done with it.

Why wasn’t more done? Why did the police give up? Before I realise what I’m doing, I’m in my room, anger pulsing through me. The boys don’t hear me enter, but they will soon enough.

“Why was nothing more done after the trial?” I look directly at Blake, crossing my arms over my chest. He stops what he is doing, turning toward me. He looks confused by my question.

“What do you mean?”

“Why were there no more investigations or anything into Abby’s disappearance?”

Shock is written all over his face. “Oh, I’m not sure as I wasn’t on the case.” He looks sad and defeated.

“
Melodi, maybe now isn’t the time for this. You’ve had a few drinks and you’re tired.” Corban comes to me, standing in front of me and blocking my view to Blake. He is trying to calm my feelings, but I don’t think that’s going to work.

I push him aside. “No, it’s not your sister who is gone,
Corban.” I face Blake again. “So you just gave up? You didn’t try pursuing the investigation?”

“No, I didn’t and for that I’m sorry.” His eyes avert from mine looking anywhere but at me. Ashamed.

“I don’t want your apology. I want the answers I never got! Where is my sister’s body?” I yell at him. I don’t care how late it is or if my neighbours hear me. For the first time since losing my sister, I want answers and I want them now.

He releases a breath. “It’s never been found.” It feels like someone has a hold of my heart and is squeezing it so much it hurts, so much that it might stop pumping.

“Could…” I don’t know if I can bring myself to say it. “Could she still be alive?” I begin to feel light-headed at the thought my sister could be alive. Alive? All this time?

Blake walks over to me, taking my shoulders in his hands. He is standing so close to me I can feel his breath on me.
Corban is near me in an instant, ready to pounce and protect me if needed.

“I don’t know. I…” He struggles to find the words. “I gave her a number of a guy to contact who could help her
escape
the hell she was living. When I had heard she disappeared and was proclaimed dead, I contacted the guy and asked if she had been in contact with him. He said she hadn’t, so I took that to mean yes, she was really gone.” He is hesitant with his answer, a little unsure of his response. He removes his hands from me and continues, “That’s not to say she told him to not tell anyone.”

Is he seriously telling me my sister could still be alive? My legs seem to give out from under me.
Corban quickly catches me before I hit the floor. He lifts me with ease, carrying me to the bed and propping me up on my many pillows. My heart is pounding with fear, excitement, or anger. Who the hell knows?

“There’s more…” I look up at him. He is looking down unable to meet my gaze.

“More? What more could you tell me? Is there a reason you’re in New York?” My voice rising once again.

“Calm down, Mel,”
Corban says gently. I know I should listen, but I just want to slap him for telling me to calm down. This is my sister we are talking about and she may still be alive. I say nothing to Corban.

“Well, tell me the rest.”

Blake clears his throat and begins, “Well, your sister and I had a thing, something special going before she disappeared. She had been seeing me for a short time while she was still with Jacob. I will always wonder if he found out and harmed her.” Sadness and sorrow etched in his words. I swear he was trying really hard not to get emotional and break down in front of me.

“So you’re the reason she was happier?” He looks up confused.

“What do you mean?”

“The last few days I saw her, she was happier and then she told me she was going to end things with Jacob and that made me super happy, but then she never came back.” A small smile crossed his face.

“I’m happy to know she was happy. I loved her.” The air in my lungs seems to evaporate. She was loved by someone who truly cared for her.

I reach over, grabbing his hand and pulling him to me for a hug. “I’m sure she loved you too. Thank you for showing her love.” My voice cracks with the threat of tears. I release him and he looks a little uncomfortable as
Corban is just standing by, not speaking, but he looks annoyed.

“Are you okay?” he queries.

“Yeah, sorry, just had a big day and now night.” So much new information for me to take in.

“Yeah, sorry, that’s my fault. I will get out of the way, I’m sure we have all we need. If you have any more concerns, please let me know,” Blake says as he gathers his equipment.

“You still never answered my last question. Why are you in New York?”

He stops packing and turns toward me. “I got a transfer here when I found out where you had moved to, so I could keep an eye on you from a distance. I never planned on running into you that day, but I’m glad I did now and I’m able to help you out.” He reaches out, squeezing my hand. His warmth spreads through me.

“Oh, okay, thanks for all your help.” I have nothing more to say. He is a guy my sister would have been truly happy with. I’m not convinced she is alive, but one can only hope.

If she did manage to get away, I hope she is happy and safe.

I lay in bed while Corban shows Blake and the other guy out. He comes back into the room and stands in the doorway leaning on the frame.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing…are you all right?” He pushes off the frame and comes to lay beside me, pulling me into his arms. I lay on his chest listening to his low even breathing.