Chapter Twenty-One
Bobby's steps slowed as he neared his apartment. Sitting in the hallway outside his apartment door was a small hunched figure. Bobby sighed heavily. He was completely exhausted and didn't think he had it in him to deal with one more crisis. All he wanted to do was take a hot shower and drag his aching body to bed. His hand on his gun, Bobby cautiously glanced around as he slowly approached his apartment door. His steps stopped when he heard gut-wrenching sobs coming from the figure. Suddenly recognition dawned and tears burned Bobby's own eyes.
"Hey there, Beautiful." Bobby spoke gently.
Tara looked up in surprise. Her eyes red and swollen. Her cheeks streaked with tears.
"Come on, let's get you inside." Bobby gently lifted Tara to her feet and led her into his apartment.
Once inside Bobby led Tara over to his couch. He sat beside her and wrapped her in a hug. "I'm sorry I wasn't home, Tara. I didn't know we had a club meeting tonight."
Tara shook her head. "It's not that." She hiccupped on a sob.
Bobby tenderly brushed her hair off her wet cheeks and handed her his handkerchief. "Then what is it?"
Tara looked away.
"Tara." Bobby tried to turn Tara's head to look at him, but she shrank back from his touch.
Frowning, Bobby dropped a quick kiss on top of her head and stood. "Take your time. I'll be back in a minute." Bobby headed into the kitchen and searched his cabinets. He finally found what he was looking for in the very back of a little used cabinet. A small box of herbal tea that was supposed to help you relax and sleep. Darcy had left it there.
Searching another cabinet, Bobby found the kettle. He filled it with water and placed it on the stove before glancing back into living room.
Tara was still sitting on the couch. Her knees pulled up to her chin and her head resting on her legs. Her entire body was shaking with sobs. Bobby closed his eyes against the heartbreaking sight. Turning around, he willed the water to hurry and boil. Finally the tea was ready and Bobby carried two cups into the living room. He set them on a small table and sat down beside Tara again.
"Tara, I made you some tea."
She didn't move.
"Come on, Tara." Bobby ran a gentle hand over her bent head. "Please, talk to me. Or at least drink your tea."
Several long moments passed before Tara wiped her face and lifted her head. Without looking at Bobby, she reached for a cup of steaming tea with a shaky hand.
Bobby slowly sipped his own tea and watched Tara with concerned eyes. Finally he could take it no more. He set his cup down and carefully took Tara's out of her hands. "Okay, Beautiful. Talk to me. Please."
"I've been working late." Tara spoke quietly, still refusing to meet Bobby's eyes.
Bobby nodded. "I know."
Tara shrugged one shoulder. "I don't like going home. It's too easy to think there. It hurts too much. I…I miss Stanley so much." She choked on a sob.
"I know you do, Tara. I know. I'm so sorry, Beautiful."
"I was thinking about our missing person cases. If the five cases are connected and it is a serial kidnapper then there would have to be other cases right?"
Bobby narrowed his eyes in thought.
"So, I requested some older case files. I wanted to see if I could find any other similar cases. And I found…"
Tears began to stream down Tara's face again. "I'm so sorry, Bobby. I didn't know. I wasn't looking for it. I didn't know. I didn't mean to. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I…"
"Hey, hey," Bobby tenderly broke into her rambling. "It's okay. Calm down."
He shook his head slightly. "What are you talking about, Pretty Lady? What did you find?"
Tara shook her head. "You're going to hate me. But I wasn't looking for it. I didn't know."
"Tara. Look at me." Bobby grasped her chin in his hand and forced her to look at him. "I will never hate you. There is nothing that could make me hate you or even be angry at you. Tell me what you found."
Tara looked away again. Her shoulders shook with sobs.
"Jade." She spoke the one word so quietly that Bobby almost missed it.
He set back against the couch as understanding filled him. "You found the case file about Jade." Bobby forced his voice to remain calm despite the pain that was tearing him apart.
Tara nodded. "I'm sorry."
Bobby was silent.
Long minutes stretched by then the sound of Tara weeping filtered through his senses. Bobby sat up quickly. "Tara, come here. It's okay."
He pulled her into his chest. "Sh, Tara. It's alright. No worries. I know you didn't set out to spy on me or invade my privacy. It's okay. Besides, I told Jack about Jade tonight."
Tara clung to him and continued to cry. "I'm so sorry, Bobby."
"Shh, sh." Bobby rubbed her back soothingly. "It's alright, it's alright. Shh."
Finally Tara's tears subsided and she sat up.
Bobby eyed her with concern. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Are you?"
Bobby looked away and reached for their cups. "Here. Finish your tea. It's supposed to help you relax and sleep." He gave her a half-smile. "I think it's what we both need tonight."
Tara nodded and accepted her cup. Together they slowly sipped the hot drink. Their hearts aching; their minds tormented by memories of the past.