Chapter 5 — This is a nightmare.
A scream tore from Nancy's throat as she jerked awake. She sat there, completely panicked and bewildered trying to remember where she was. The sound of screeching tires and crunching metal still echoed in her head. She could still taste the metallic tang of the blood and feel the stinging ache from where her head hit the window. Her bed sheets were soaked with sweat. Bed. She was home. It was just another nightmare. Shaking, Nancy threw the covers back and stumbled out of the bed. Her hand trembled as she filled a water glass at the bathroom sink and choked it down. She forced herself to take several slow, deep breaths. It was just a nightmare, she told herself firmly.
Stupid nightmares. She'd hope she was past all that, but that girl in the dumpster had raked it up again. The girl had been there in the dream, lying beside Ned on the street, both staring up sightlessly at the black night. Nancy shivered. There would be no more sleep for her tonight. She stared at her reflection in the mirror. Would Ned even recognize her now? Hair lank and unkept, constant bags and circles under her eyes. "Time's supposed to heal," she whispered.
Everyone has to do their part, Ned replied matter of factly in her head. We can't do our jobs if our clients don't work with us. If they lie or hold back information, we're going into the ring with one hand tied behind our backs.
Nancy smiled sadly at the mirror. Ned told every client that, even the ones that had been looking at potential months or years of litigation. He'd told them to keep living, do their best at their life now, whatever that happened to look like. Nancy closed her eyes and fixed Ned firmly in her mind. "I'm sorry," she said aloud. "I'm not doing my best. I was trying to move on. New city, new job, no more mysteries."
Come on, Nancy, you can't live without mysteries. Ned laughed at her in her memory as he handed her a piece of paper with the first clue to finding her engagement ring.
"But that's why you died," she whispered. "If I hadn't taken that job…if you hadn't been with me…" Tracking down a runaway girl had ended with her wasted boyfriend ramming into their car at over ninety miles an hour. But maybe Ned was right. Staring down at a murder victim and her brain had started coming up with motives. Maybe she hadn't been able to just turn off that part of herself, even though she'd tried. Everyone has to do their part…
"Ok, fine. I'm not going back to sleep anyway," she muttered. Padding into the kitchen, she made herself a cup of strong black tea with a little milk. None of that awful chamomile. While it steeped, she dug out a notebook and pen and curled up on the couch. The police were bound to contact her again with other questions. She might as well write up the details she remembered.
Closing her eyes she put herself back in the workroom of the store. There had been a crash. She'd looked up from the sewing and the clock said ten after nine, or right about that. But she hadn't really thought about the crash then. She was focused on wrapping things up and leaving. She hadn't checked the back door until, what was it? Probably close to ten minutes later. The police would have that time down from her 911 call. Pity she hadn't gotten around to putting in those security cameras like the detective had suggested.
Detective Hardy. Nancy huffed and rolled her eyes. She did know his name. It was on his account for pity's sake. He'd been coming twice a week for over a year. That whole situation had really thrown her, her brain completing glitching on his name. She wasn't sure if she was relieved or sorry that he had been the one called in on the case. He was probably an excellent detective, at least he seemed capable, not easily riled or ruffled by things. She'd broken a couple buttons on one of his shirts once, when the new press had been installed. She'd replaced them, of course, but the color was slightly off the rest. He hadn't fussed or complained, just nodded, signed the credit card slip and left. The next time that shirt was included in the pile he dropped off for cleaning she'd gone out and found matching buttons and replaced all of them. She thought he probably wouldn't even notice, but it made her feel better. After the button incident he'd included a typed list with his next batch of laundry outlining some suggestions for security at the store, new locks, motion-activated lights over the front and back doors, security cameras, an alarm system… But she hadn't been able to afford all that, just the locks and the lights. Still, it was a nice gesture, almost like the overture to a barely acknowledged friendship.
Nancy finished her tea and glanced at the clock. It was almost five; she might as well get started on the day. The craziness of the night before meant she hadn't done her normal cleaning of the waiting area before locking up and leaving, so she'd have to go in a little early and get that done before it was time to open. She quickly showered and dressed, deciding at the last minute to take her notebook with her, in case she thought of something else.
The store reflected her own rather trampled psyche this morning, the blinds hadn't been closed, chairs were askew, the complimentary coffee station was a mess, and footprints covered the floor. Lighting a scented candle and turning on some bouncy swing music, Nancy got to work. By the time seven o'clock rolled around and she switched on the glowing orange sign to OPEN, both she and the waiting area felt more calm and orderly.
George showed up right on time for her shift, but without her usual enthusiasm. Nancy watched her work for a couple minutes, head low, brow furrowed, her expression almost morose. Poor kid, having to see that body last night must have really done a number on her. "Hey George," Nancy said, "it's been a pretty busy day. Why don't you go grab us a couple milk teas from that Thai place on the next block?"
"Sure thing, Boss," George said with a wan smile.
Shortly after George left the store, Detective Hardy and his partner showed up. Nancy stood behind the counter waiting for one of them to ask whatever follow up questions they had. That was routine. But they both stood there quietly, the partner seeming to study the store, and Detective Hardy studying her. It was a little annoying. "Did you have any other questions for me, Detective Hardy," she said a trifle sharply.
"Not at the moment," the partner answered with a grin, stepping up to the counter. "He actually came to pick up his laundry this time. And we were hoping to speak again with your assistant."
"I'm…I'm afraid George just went over a block to get some teas, Detective…um… I'm sorry I wasn't told your name," Nancy replied, flustered at the exchange. She hadn't been told the partner's name last night. Maybe. Or maybe she had been told and just missed it. And of course Detective Hardy would show up now for his laundry. Good grief, he probably thought she was a complete nitwit.
The partner's smile grew wider, enough to show a slight dimple in his cheek and crinkle up the corners of his eyes. "Joe, take the clothes to the car, while I pay," Detective Hardy interrupted, his voice soft, but firm.
Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Detective Joe, Nancy thought, grateful he was leaving. She felt like she'd been on the verge of being teased for some reason and had barely escaped as the partner shot her a wink, grabbed the plastic-wrapped clothes off the rack and headed out the door.
"You look uncomfortable," Detective Hardy said with what looked like an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry that was awkward. I should have introduced him last night. Detective Joseph Hardy, my partner and my brother," he said with a wave towards the man now on the other side of the glass door. "He thinks it's hilarious the first time people realize we're brothers."
Nancy was completely taken aback. They were brothers? The blond that seemed to be aiming for debonair or charming all the time and the quiet, no-nonsense dark-haired man in front of her? "I see," she said stiffly. "Well, I hope when you're on a case and not just picking up laundry that he's able to conduct himself more professionally."
"I'll let him know you said that," Detective Hardy said with a nod. His own face was stoic, but his voice sounded amused. "How are you holding up?"
Besides the nightmares about dead people staring at the sky, just peachy. "As well as can be expected," she said in what she hoped was a neutral tone. "George looked rather sick last night though," she added, frowning as she remembered the assistant's face and the detective's question. "Why were you wanting to talk with her again?"
She noticed then that George had come back from the tea shop, icy cups in hand, and was talking with Detective Hardy 2.0 outside. Nancy couldn't see George's face through the window, but then the girl pushed through the door, clearly upset, the cups trembling in her hands. "What did you say to her?" Nancy demanded as the blond Hardy followed George back into the shop and handed his brother a notebook. She came out from behind the counter and took the cups from George's hands, setting them down and wrapping a protective arm around the girl.
"Just routine questions," Detective Joseph Hardy answered, his previous free and easy manner gone. "It turns out Ms. Fayne was able to identify the girl from last night. We'd like her to come to the station to fill us in on some more details."
"Did you know the girl from school, George?" Nancy asked in a soft voice. "I'm so sorry, that must have been terrible for you."
George's eyes had filled with tears and she pulled away from Nancy. "I'm fine. I'll be back in a little while," she said in a low voice, "after I answer their questions."
Nancy crossed her arms and tapped a foot worriedly as the brother detective escorted George to their car out front. She jumped slightly as Detective Frank Hardy touched her arm.
"Try not to worry. She's not in any trouble," he said softly. "We just would like some more information about the girl's family and situation leading up to all this."
"What was her name?" Nancy asked.
Detective Hardy looked back at his brother's notebook. "Marisol Williams."
Nancy's head spun. Oh no, she thought desperately. No. No. No.