When I opened my eyes I was back in the hotel room and the curtains were holding back the light of the day, which had started without me. I stretched and found I was still in the clothes from last night. It checked the bedside clock and groaned; it was past 10.
I still couldn't remember what questions I answered last night and felt a little guilty about leaving those who cared, care about me. I mean, how would you feel if one of your best friends was there one day and without warning was gone the next, and with not so much as a phone call for five years. People who trust me, people who depend on me to be there, subconsciously of course, were all just left behind. No second glance. Well, that's not true, there were things everyday that reminded me of Trenton, I have just gotten used to pushing the feelings aside.
But then, I thought, what about Marcus? I would never give him up. Sure there could have been something between Morelli, or maybe even Ranger, and me. But now that I was here I wasn't going to go back. But how did Ranger know Marcus? They seemed like pretty good friends yesterday.
I got off the bed and went to take a shower. After that I dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and headed to the office. If it wasn't all over town already that I was back I should start it up. When I pulled into a space in front of Vinnie's I could see Connie and Lula through the window, talking with each other. They both looked up when I walked in.
"Hello." I said. I didn't know if they knew or even if they recognized me so I decided to wait and see.
"Hey, girlfriend. Where has you skinny, white ass been?" Lula said. I was taken aback. Lula looked different, thinner maybe. I guess chasing after two kids could do that to a person.
"Been? What do you mean? I went out for McDonald's. I just never came back." I gave them both a hug and the conversation started.
"Man, it was a week after you left, Ranger came in here telling us in that scary voice of his to tell him if we had any calls concerning you. Eventually we got it out of him that you had been kidnapped."
I gapped. "How did you get that out of him? Does all of town know? Is that what everyone thinks happened? Jezze, I do not what to explain this more than once." I stopped. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and I saw Connie's eyes glance and hold at the door. Ranger was here.
I closed my eyes and leaned into the couch. "Hey Ranger."
I heard his voice come from the direction of Connie's desk. "Hey, Babe. Sleep well?"
It was meant to be a joke. Then I thought about it, was Ranger telling a joke, in public? "Great, you?"
I opened one eye and looked at him. He had his emotionless mask on and I smiled. Just like old times. Ranger went into Vinnie's office, and a few minutes later I heard him say, "Thanks for the files." And the door being opened.
I jumped off the couch and jogged after him. He was just about to start his SUV when I knocked on him window. When he had rolled it down I leaned threw. "Hey, I was wondering, how do you know Marcus?"
He watched me for a moment. "Get in." I didn't need to be told twice.