Dad sighed. “No, Jan, it isn’t routine as far as I can tell. Your name was the only one mentioned. Come over right away. Bring Keith. I’m going to call my lawyer and alert him, just in case we need to secure counsel.”
“Oh god.” Was it really that bad? From the grim expression on Keith’s face, she had the answer to that. “I don’t even know what to say.” Jan looked at Keith and shrugged, feeling helpless, trying to push back the burn of tears.
Keith took the phone from her. “Jimmy? We’ll be right over.”
“Let me talk to my kid again,” Jan could hear her father’s voice even though the phone was at Keith’s ear. He handed it back over to her and she might have laughed at the idea of the game of telephone brought into a new century.
“I’m glad you stayed with him last night. He’s a good friend to us.”
“Me too. He’s been very good to me. Even made sure I ate. He’s a good friend, Daddy, you’re right. Jan knew her father had no idea what had happened.
Or at least she hoped so.
Keith spent the entire drive back to Jan’s house deep in thought. They’d taken a quick and dirty shower, but Jan’s heart hadn’t been into touching, or being touched. She did let him hold her, and she’d accepted and returned a blazing hot kiss.
There would be time for sexy showers later. Right now, they had a purpose, and it was to get to Jan’s house so she could dress, and then go to her parents. The school was closed for the day while the incident was being investigated.
So Jan had an unexpected day off, and a hell of a lot of worry that threatened to consume her. Keith had figured they were going to hang her out to dry, but he hadn’t expected the speed of it. Then again, she was an easy target for anyone who was covering his own ass. She was going to have to come out and throw her boss under the bus, rightfully so. But if her coworkers banded against her, which was always possible, she could be in big trouble.
At least she’d have his support, as well as that of her family. And the way Keith saw it, she would need to protect herself first and foremost.
“How are you?” Keith asked finally, as they pulled into her apartment complex. She had a place not very far from the hospital, in a newish community that had shops on the ground level and apartments above.
“Coffee?” he asked her when she didn’t answer.
“On the way out,” she replied, resting her hand on his knee. “I’m okay. I saw this coming unfortunately.” She gasped suddenly and Keith tapped on the brakes, thinking she’d seen something he hadn’t.
“What?”
“That.”
Her finger trembled as she pointed toward a truck and several people with microphones. Shit! The media was on this; he felt like an idiot for not taking that under consideration. It was a no-brainer. Of course they wanted to sniff out the real story.
“Direct me to the parking garage,” he told her, changing his idea about what to do. They’d have to get coffee at her place, and get out quickly to her parents place. Hell, he’d have her pack a bag or two, and head over to his place. They’d never expect her to be there. His house, his presence, would be her sanctuary.
“What’s happening?” she asked him quietly after they pulled in to her spot.
“They’re going to want statements from you, but the police haven’t even questioned you, have they?”
“No, they just took the samples.”
“And all of that is clear?” Keith knew what the answer would be, and when she nodded, he let out a small sigh.
“I’m glad your dad has a lawyer planned. Dress casually and take clothes for a week or so, a few business things and a lot of casual stuff. Take some books, or music, or whatever you need. You’re staying with me.”
“I am?”
“You are.” It felt nice taking care of her, even though there was a limited amount that he could do. But he’d do it, providing her a sanctuary.
“You think I’ll need to…be away.”
“Yeah.” There was no point in sugar coating it.
“But I did nothing wrong.”
“I know. But we need to protect you and get the truth out. Don’t worry, sweetheart. It’ll be okay. I promise that. You have the best team around you. We love you.”
She gasped and he wondered if he’d pushed too far.
“Thank you. I…know.”
He followed her as she hurried to her apartment. There were no reporters outside, thank goodness, though that could change at any moment.
Keith wanted to take time to inspect her apartment, but they didn’t have that luxury. “What do you need?” he asked, following her into the neat and comfortable apartment.