CHAPTER 32

H ollis stared at the crime scene photos that hadn’t been blurred out like they were on TV. It made sense: someone had to do the blurring first. But when the images first got to the show, they were in their original, awful versions of blood and dead bodies, with knives on the kitchen floor. She minimized the image that was currently making her stomach lurch and wondered how police officers and others who worked in law enforcement did this job. Hollis was researching a homicide that Kenna had put her on specifically, and it had been the worst crime she’d worked on since joining the show.

“How’s it going?” Kenna asked. “Figure out who did it yet?” she teased.

“No, but I don’t think that’s my job,” Hollis replied.

“It’s not, no. But if you do figure it out, we get to solve the crime and we get the scoop.” Kenna leaned against Hollis’s desk.

“So far, I’m just trying to stop myself from throwing up on my computer,” Hollis told her.

“Crime scene photos?”

“Yeah. They got sent to me in a zip file with everything else. I clicked on one by mistake just now, and that’s enough for me.”

“And to think, those are just the ones they let the show have. There are worse ones out there.”

“God, how do people do these things to each other?” Hollis asked, leaning back in her chair.

“I don’t know.” Kenna sighed.

“And you surround yourself with this?”

“If people out there do these things, other people have to stop them. I’ve never wanted to be in law enforcement, and I love reporting, so this was the only way I could help,” Kenna explained.

“I get that, but I’m a librarian,” Hollis said.

“And a damn fine researcher because of it, Hollis. You’re good at this job.”

“I miss my books, Kenna.”

Kenna smiled and said, “No time to read these days?”

“No. But I meant that I miss working at the library. It’s quiet there, and no one makes me look at crime scene photos of a murder.”

“I can move you off this one,” Kenna offered. “Not all of them are this bad.”

“No, I’ll do it. You’ve already bent over backwards for me, with my mom and Raleigh.”

“How’s that going, by the way?” Kenna asked, lifting an eyebrow. “I mean Raleigh. I know how things are with your mom.”

“It’s great,” Hollis said, unable to hold back her smile. “I’m kind of crazy about her.”

“That’s great, Hollis,” Kenna replied.

“Yeah. And Dylan’s got this major lead about Eden that sounds really promising.”

“Really?”

“We’re still waiting on an update. They think Eden was taken by a woman who lost her own daughter.”

“Shit. Really?” Kenna asked, her reporter brain kicking into high gear.

“I’m telling you this, not my boss . Is that okay? I don’t want you calling Raleigh and asking her for a story right now, Kenna.”

“Dropping the idea from my mind,” Kenna said.

“Yeah, right…” Hollis laughed. “But you’ll leave it for now?”

“Of course.”

Hollis filled Kenna in on what Dylan had discovered. Dylan had called Raleigh the night before to let her know that the call with the brother hadn’t been useful, as it had turned out that he also hadn’t talked to his sister in years. After their parents had died, the family had fractured. He’d known that she’d had a daughter, but he’d never met her, and his sister hadn’t told him anything about her little girl’s death. He didn’t even have a picture of his niece. That had put a damper on the attempt at a romantic dinner Hollis had made for them while the day nurse bathed Hollis’s mom.

“You had candles?”

“And I made my mom’s recipe, which Raleigh said she liked, but I could tell her brain was elsewhere. I understand, but it’s like, every time we have a moment where it’s just two people in a relationship, something else comes up, and one or both of us can only talk or think about that other thing.”

“Once they find Eden, things will get better,” Kenna reasoned. “She won’t be worried about and looking for her daughter anymore.”

“Assuming it is Eden. I don’t even want to think about how much this will hurt Raleigh if it’s not her. She’s trying not to get her hopes up, but it’s not going well.”

“Have you guys talked about what you’re going to do if it is her, though?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you started dating Raleigh when she didn’t have Eden in her life.”

“Oh. Yeah. I mean, honestly, I didn’t think I’d ever fall in love, let alone get married or have kids. I guess a part of me has always hoped for those things, but I haven’t been in a serious relationship in a long time. I just sat at my desk, checking books in and out. So, it wasn’t at the top of my list. But I want Raleigh.”

“And Eden?”

“Unfortunately, I’ve never met her, but I hope I get the chance to. I want her, too.”

“A whole family,” Kenna said, giving her a half-smile.

“I hope so,” Hollis replied. “And I hope my mom is around long enough to meet her, but that depends on when they find her.”

“They will,” Kenna said, patting her shoulder. “And I’m happy for you two. I think it’s great that you’re able to be together and support each other in all you two are going through.”

“Me too,” Hollis replied.

“Hey, you left your phone at home.”

Hollis turned to see Ripley, Kenna’s wife, approaching them.

“Shit. I did?” Kenna said.

“Yes. And now, I’m late for an appointment,” Ripley replied. “I called your office.”

“I’ve been out here and on stage before that. Sorry,” Kenna said. “And thank you for bringing it here.”

“We have Aaliyah’s game tonight, so if I didn’t, you’d have no GPS to get you there,” Ripley said. “Hi, Hollis.”

“Hi,” Hollis greeted.

“I could’ve printed directions,” Kenna replied, tucking the phone into the pocket of her dark-green pants. “And I’m sorry I’ve made you late. I’ll walk you out?”

“Fine. But you’re taking her for ice cream after, and I’m going home to soak in a bath for, like, an hour before you both run into the house.”

Kenna laughed and said, “We’ll pick up dinner and ice cream, and I’ll even get one for you.”

Ripley’s expression softened before she replied, “Two scoops.”

“Yes, dear,” Kenna said. “I’ll be right back, Hollis.”

“Bye, Ripley,” Hollis spoke.

“Bye, Hollis.”

◆◆◆

“Ice cream?” Hollis offered when she walked into the house later, finding Raleigh on the sofa, working.

“Ice cream?”

“Yeah. I decided to stop off and get some. I got two different kinds since I don’t really know what kind you like.”

“I’m not picky. It’s ice cream,” Raleigh replied. “And she’s awake, if you want to say hi.”

“Yeah? ”

“No ice cream for her, though,” the nurse said as she peeked her head out of the kitchen. “And I’ll be heading out soon.”

“None for Mom. Got it,” Hollis replied, sitting on the sofa next to Raleigh.

Raleigh leaned over then, kissed Hollis, and said, “You know you can kick me out, right?”

“What?” Hollis placed the white paper bag with two containers of ice cream on the coffee table.

“I’ve been staying here a lot.”

“So?”

“So, we just started dating, Hollis. I–”

Hollis’s phone rang, so she said, “Hold that thought.” When she looked at the screen, she saw the number she’d saved from the last time. “It’s my dad’s lawyer.”

“Should I give you some–”

“No, stay. I’ll just tell him the same thing I always do,” Hollis said, placing a hand on Raleigh’s thigh. “Hello?”

“Heidi?” her father said.

“Dad?”

“Finally,” he said. “How are you?”

“How am I ?” she asked. “I’m just trying to put the life you stole from me back together piece by piece. So, I’m perfect. How are you?”

“Heidi, I–”

“Hollis,” she stated, interrupting him. “I’ve told you. My name is Hollis. I’m not Heidi anymore.”

Raleigh closed her computer and took Hollis’s hand on her thigh.

“Fine. Hollis. If that’s what you want me to call you, fine.”

“Dad, I haven’t decided what I’m doing yet. I don’t really want–”

“I’m taking a plea,” he interrupted.

“What?” she asked.

“I get it, Hollis. I’ve been delaying this whole thing because I thought you’d come visit me. I thought if it went to trial, you’d at least have to be there, and I’d get to see you and try to make things right.”

“How can you make anything right when you’ve yet to admit that you did something wrong?”

“Because it wasn’t wrong to me then,” he said. “You were my daughter, and all I could see was people trying to take you away from me.”

“You were angry with Mom.”

“Yes, but that wasn’t– I love you, Hollis. I’m sorry I’ve been making things worse with this whole trial. But I’m taking the plea deal, and I’ll have to confess, so maybe you’ll show up for that, and it’ll give you what you want.”

“What I want is a normal father who didn’t have to kidnap me to show me he loved me,” she replied.

“Well, I can’t turn back time, can I?”

Hollis sighed and asked, “How long?”

“Seven years. Out in three and a half with good behavior.”

“Three and a half years for taking me away from my mother?!”

“Hollis, I want to be able to see you when I get out.”

“Honestly, I don’t really care what you want right now, Dad.”

“Can we at least talk about it?”

“Not now,” she said.

“Fine.” He sighed loudly. “I can accept that. And I hope that you visit me, but I won’t pressure you.”

“Good,” she said. “I’ve got enough going on. Also, I’m going to block your lawyer’s number. This isn’t okay, Dad. You can’t just call me from his phone because you think I’ll answer.”

“You wouldn’t answer my calls from the jail.”

“And you wouldn’t take the hint,” she argued.

“I have to go. They’re taking me back to my cell. I just wanted to give you the news myself.”

“You made the right decision,” she replied, calming down enough to deliver the message. “You’ve saved Mom and me from having to testify. So, that’s one good thing, at least.”

“Yeah, I guess,” he said.

Then, he was gone.

“Are you okay?” Raleigh asked.

Hollis dropped the phone beside her, placed her head on Raleigh’s shoulder, and said, “Rocky Road or plain vanilla?”

“How about I mix them together and we have a little of both?” Raleigh suggested, kissing her forehead.

“That sounds amazing,” she replied.