Broken Dreams(66)

“When our team went out, Henry was in full military mode. The way he acted…it was just weird.” Claire paused, then she said, “I don’t know. I didn’t want to say anything to you about my feelings. I didn’t want to upset you.”

“Right. I don’t know, Claire. I’m not sure what to think. It’s crazy. We were clearing the shoe store, and he said Sophie would be fine outside on her own. I didn’t have a good feeling about it. Then after we called it cleared, we headed out and Sophie was MIA.” Claire’s eyes bugged out.

“But she’s here.”

“Yeah. I convinced Henry to move forward with our search, telling him that she had to be around somewhere. He looked panicky.”

“Where was she?”

“I’m getting to that. We moved to that café next door to the shoe store.”

“Gemelli’s? Mmm... I would love a slice of their red velvet right about now.”

“Yeah. That does sound good.” Let the salivating begin. “Anyway, I was thinking about our history at Gemelli’s when we walked to the storefront. Henry was calling for Sophie, and we decided to go into the café. She was held at gunpoint by that guy, Jacob, from downstairs.”

“That creepy guy?”

“Yeah, I guess. I never saw him until the café. So he was holding her at gunpoint. He said Henry killed his wife, and he worked out an exchange. Henry for Sophie.” Claire’s eyes bugged out of her head again. “As soon as he let go of Sophie, I shot him.” I said it so fast, hoping that if it wasn’t intelligible, it wouldn’t be true. I put my head in my hands.

“Oh no.” Apparently, Claire was at a loss for words. She wrapped her arm around me and held me tight.

“I thought I killed him.”

“He’s still alive?”

“No. This is where it gets weird. Sophie ran over to me and started dragging me out of the café. I was screaming for Henry, and he was yelling at Sophie to get me out of there. We got outside, and I heard a gunshot. I freaked out and thought that Jacob shot Henry because I heard him moaning before Sophie dragged me out of there. She was trying to convince me that Henry was fine.”

“Obviously, he is fine. He’s here now.”

“Yeah, he came running out of the café, and he had blood all over him…even on his lips and chin.”

“Maybe it was just close range?”

“I don’t know. I just thought it was weird how he screamed at her to rush me out.”

“Maybe he just wanted to protect you, and he didn’t want you to see him finish off Jacob.” She didn’t sound convinced.

“I just got a weird feeling, that’s all. Plus, he had this…‘high’ look when he came back out of the café.” There was a knock on the door. “Occupied,” I said.

“I need to come in,” Nate whined from the hallway. I sighed. I got up and opened the door. Claire finished spreading out her clothes. He pushed us out and slammed the door.

“Geez,” I said. He had such an attitude. He was ungrateful, and it pissed me off. He should’ve been kissing our asses for saving his life. But, then again, I should’ve been kissing his ass. If it wasn’t for him finding my mother’s phone, Nick could have been an undead, as well. That was the only reason why I hadn’t beat the little bastard down yet.

I headed to Henry’s bedroom, and Claire went to hers and Sophie’s. When I walked in the door, Henry and Sophie were chatting, in heated whispers, by the window. They didn’t see me or hear me come in. “You have to be more careful. You had blood on your lips and chin.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I will be more careful.”

“She’s very skeptical. She will figure it out, and then the jig will be up.”

“I know.”

“Skeptical about what?” I said in a rather obnoxious tone. They both jumped.

I stood at the doorway with my hand on my hip. I noticed his “smoked too much weed” look had disappeared. I decided to let that slide for the moment. I think I portrayed the attitude pose exceptionally well. I fucking owned it. Neither one of them was saying anything. They looked at each other a few times.

“Okay. Let’s get real here for a moment. It is obvious that you two are hiding something. I would say that something would have to be spectacular. Let’s be good people and share, shall we?” They looked at each other with great concern. I walked over to them. “I suspect something is going on here, and you two need to start with…hmmm...the truth?” Henry looked nervous, and Sophie didn’t break her stare.