Ellie chuckled at the mention of the chase that had ended up with a perpetrator almost drowning them both when he mistook a turtle for an alligator.
“I guess that video never gets old. Hard to believe that was a year ago.” Ellie was quiet for a moment, and Jillian glanced at the phone screen, sure the call had dropped, but they were still connected. “What’s wrong?”
There was a long pause before Ellie finally said one word, “Nick.”
“I’m sorry about that. You’re right to be paranoid, but I don’t blame him for being hurt.” Jillian frowned, fatigue weighing heavily on her as she made her way through congested streets. “I would be devastated in his place.”
“I know, and I feel awful. The look in his eyes. I don’t think I’ll ever forget how much pain I caused him. He’s been my biggest supporter. When my parents were scheming to get me to quit the academy, he was cheering me on.”
“Do you think he’ll accept your apology when he calms down?”
“I don’t know,” Ellie mumbled.
Jillian checked her blind spot and switched to the left lane. As soon as she was over, the right lane started moving, and the left lane stopped. She slapped the steering wheel. It figured. “Why don’t you call him?”
“He basically told me not to.”
“Ouch.”
“I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
The despair in Ellie’s voice tore at her heart. Desperate to offer her friend some hope, she tried to sound upbeat. “You’ll figure it out. He just needs a little space.”
“That’s the problem.” Ellie gave a sarcastic laugh. “I think he’s been getting more space than he can handle.”
“When was the last time you two went anywhere together?”
“The day we moved Valerie to the safe house.”
Jillian’s eyes widened. “That’s not good.”
“I know.”
“Look, there’s nothing you can do about it now.” She checked to her right, putting on her blinker in hopes of getting back over. The car just behind her rear fender in the other lane rolled down their window. Jillian smiled, sure they were going to wave her in. They extended their middle finger instead. She sneered, fighting off the urge to sling one back. “Traffic is a mess.”
“It’s lunchtime.”
“I know, I’m starved. I’m just so tired. I forgot about the noon rush hour.”
Although Ellie’s laugh was soft, it was heavy with sadness. It was the first time since Jillian had answered the phone that there’d been more than frustration in her friend’s voice. “You know better.”
“How far are you?”
“I should be home a little after one.”
The tension melted from Jillian’s shoulders. “Good. I couldn’t relax last night, wondering if you were okay, so I worked through the night. I should’ve gone with you.”
“Sam needed you.”
Jillian snorted out a laugh. “I think Sam is probably a basket case by now wondering where we both are. She probably thinks she’s been abandoned.”
“As if you would ever abandon that precious hunk of dog. You should get her something special to make up for it.”
“Maybe tomorrow.” Jillian yawned, waving when the middle-fingered driver was even with her. He flipped her off again, so Jillian blew him a kiss. “I’m over today. Friday the thirteenth is not my favorite day.” Realizing what she’d just said, Jillian thunked her forehead with her palm. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s all right. It’s just another day, and we all know people bring out the crazy.”
“You’re not wrong.” Jillian ignored the angry man, who was gesturing wildly, trying to get her attention through the closed window. “Listen, traffic is a mess, so I’d better let you go. I’ll see you soon.”
“All right. And Jillian?”
“Yes?”
“Thanks for being there, even when my paranoia is pushing everyone else away.”
Jillian’s heart cracked open and gushed out warmth that made her eyes prick. “It’s going to be okay, Ellie. We’ll get everyone involved in the trafficking ring, and they’ll see that you weren’t being paranoid at all. When the dust settles, Nick will let go of his hurt feelings and forgive you.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. I’ll talk to you when you get home.”
Jillian ended the call, rolling up to a red light. The angry driver made one last-ditch effort to get her attention before he spun his tires and turned right on the red without stopping. Horns blared, but he escaped without causing an accident. Relieved that he was finally gone, Jillian turned on the radio and did her best to stay awake. She was close to home, and if the traffic ever let up, she’d be there in minutes.
She glanced at the clock and groaned. It was half past noon, and she was running on zero sleep. She was exhausted and starving and wanted nothing more than to eat and crawl into bed, in that order. Skipping lunch and sleeping until Sunday sounded even better, but her stomach growled, twisting painfully. Three cups of coffee and one stale donut wouldn’t hold her over forever.
Bemoaning her traitorous body, she went through the green light and turned into the first hamburger joint with a drive-thru she came to. She ordered a cheeseburger and fries, opting for a caffeinated cola instead of her standard ice water. She paid for her order and took a long drag of the fizzy drink, wrinkling her nose when the carbonation tickled her nostrils.
Fifteen minutes and one ridiculously long Friday lunch line later, she was back on the street. She sneaked one hot French fry from the brown paper bag, then another, eyes going to the clock again. Quarter to one. A smile spread across her face. Even though her car clock was set to standard time, she still thought of one in the afternoon as thirteen hundred hours. It was
