The next morning Holtzmann woke up facing Erin. Her hair was swept across her face, she made little grumbles in her sleep. Holtzmann smiled, she slowly got out of bed and pulled on her boots. She went down the street to fetch two Danish and two coffees. She let herself back into the apartment and put the food in the kitchen. Erin came running out of the bedroom calling her name.
"Chill Gilbert...coffee?" Erin sighed and nervously brushed her hair out of her eyes, she nodded and picked up a cup.
She smiled and bit into the Danish.
"Have you heard from Pete?"She asked. Holtz shook her head. Then as if on cue the phone rang. Holtz looked at it and bit her lip. Erin picked up the receiver.
"Hello." Erin put her hand over the microphone and looked at Holtz. She handed the phone over to her.
"Pete?"
"Yeah, hi. Okay I'm at home..." Holtz frowned.
"You're at home...with Dad?"
"Yeah, apparently Tom...Mr James, came here looking for you yesterday. Dad tried to ring me but I didn't answer, I must have been driving."
"What happened?" Holtz asked. Erin was leaning up against her, her ear was next to Holtz. Some of her hair was tickling Holtzmann`s nose.
"Well Dad was reluctant to let him in, obviously. The back door`s glass panel was broken. I'm assuming that he broke in. Dad seemed very concerned about a photograph? One that he has on his hall stand."
"Which photograph?"
"It's of you, Erin, Abby and Patty."
"Crap." Holtz breathed.
"Holtz it's just a photo..."
"No you don't understand, it was taken outside the firehouse. I sent it to him a couple of weeks ago."
"Oh."
Pete then said that he was coming back, he would break speed limits if he needed too. Holtzmann hung up the phone and looked at Erin.
"If this was yesterday, he could be there by now." Erin said. Holtz closed her eyes. Erin picked up the phone again and called into work.
"Abby?"
"Do you really think this is a good idea. If he's not there now, he could come." Erin said quietly. They were at the front door, Erin had her hand on the lock.
"I have to be there if he comes, I'm not letting him hurt Abby or Patty." Holtz whispered. She shoved Erin back and ran from the apartment. They ran the whole way to HQ. Holtz bound through the doors and ran up the stairs two at a time.
"Okay- spill." Abby said as Holtzmann crashed into the room.
"You've been acting odd since Pete arrived, please Holtz." Abby said, she guided Holtz to a booth and sat her down. Holtz clenched her fists and told Patty and Abby everything. From her mother, to her father, to the James`, to specifically Tom. Patty and Abby listened to her, encouraging her all the way.
Then the doorbell rang. Holtzmann grinded her teeth together.
"Holtz!" Erin shouted as Holtz went back down the stairs. She took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Jillian." He whispered. He was older, much older. His hair was grey and he had a cane. He was smiling. Holtzmann`s hand balled up on the waistline of her trousers.
"Just so you know...Pete is on his way." Tom nodded.
"I figured as much, however like back then- he's going to be late isn't he." Holtzmann gulped. Erin joined her at the door.
"I'll call the cops." She whispered. Tom stuck his cane past the door.
"Jillian I just want to talk." Erin scoffed and pulled out her phone. Hotlzmann stopped her.
"Holtz?" Holtzmann opened the door and let Tom in. Erin spluttered over her words. Holtz grabbed her arm and made her wait until Tom had disappeared up the stairs.
"Ever since this happened all I've wanted to know is why? Being a scientist and not understanding something is frustrating- you know that. I know this is dangerous. Erin we fight ghosts. It will be okay." Erin shook her head and went up stairs. Holtz sighed and followed her up.
Tom was sitting on a chair. Patty and Abby were standing before him. They looked fierce. Holtz hovered at the doorframe. She pulled out her own phone and called Pete. She didn't let him speak- she simply informed him of her current situation. She hung up and joined her friends.
"Okay. Talk."
