“His date? Was it a woman? Did you see her?”
Sophie shook her head. “I don’t know… I don’t remember seeing them after that.”
“Did your drink arrive while you spoke with him?” Willow knew it had, but she wanted Sophie to remember.
“I’m not sure. Wait… yes… it came. I took a few swallows. It tasted good, so I drank some more.” Sophie’s eyes began to droop. “So tired. I need to lie down… I… should go to my room.”
“Is someone helping you?” Willow prompted.
“Yeah… someone’s taking my arm.”
“Is it the man you spoke with?”
She shook her head, and her eyes slipped shut. “I… I don’t know… maybe.”
Willow pursed her lips. “Focus Sophie. Focus on his face. Is it the man at the bar?”
“I don’t remember. He held my arm so I wouldn’t fall. He opened my door and… and… it was full of roses. Red roses… everywhere… so beautiful.” She swallowed, and her brows drew together. “I should have waited… for Brock.” Tears began to roll down her cheeks. “I ruined it… I ruined his surprise.”
“What happened next? You saw the roses and then what? Did the man take you inside the room?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. Yes…. But it’s dark… I can’t see very well.”
“Open your eyes and look real hard. Are you in your hotel room?”
“I think so… but… I’m so tired… I need to lie down.”
“Stay awake Sophie… don’t sleep yet. Are you lying down?”
Sophie nodded her head, but didn’t speak.
“Is Brock there now? Is he there in the room with you?” Willow pushed harder, hoping to get Sophie past the drug-induced fog. “Can you see him?”
“I don’t know. I can’t see. It’s so dark. Brock? Are you here?” Sophie’s eyes were still closed, but she lifted her chin toward the door. The scent of Armani filled the room, and I glanced that way, half expecting to see him walk in. I didn’t see him, but I sensed his presence. Sophie must have too, because she dropped her head and began to sob. “Brock. I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault.”
Willow thought Sophie had lost her focus. She needed to get back into that room. “Sophie… open your eyes. Look into the crystal. Focus. Feel the weight of the stones in your hands. You’re safe at home. No one is going to hurt you here.” Sophie calmed down a little, but her eyes were still shut.
Willow continued. “Think Sophie. You’re in the room at the hotel. There are red roses everywhere. You’re sleepy, and you want to lie down. What happens next?”
“I… I don’t know… I’m so tired… he’s helping me lie down… he’s pulling off my shoes… he’s… undoing my...” Sophie’s breathing quickened, and her eyes squeezed shut. “Wait… no… st…stop.” Her head began to move back and forth. “No… please… don’t do this…no...” A low keening sound came from her throat like she was trying to scream, but she couldn’t get the sound out. It was just like every nightmare I’d ever had.
Stop this. A commanding voice boomed into my mind. I don’t want her to remember. Stop this NOW.
I jerked upright, and my heart hammered in my chest. I rushed to Sophie’s side and grabbed her upper arms. “Sophie. Wake up. It’s over. Wake up now.”
She began to sob again, and I felt Brock’s hot anger like fire breathing down my neck. “Brock’s here Sophie. He loves you. He doesn’t blame you for what happened, okay? Please don’t blame yourself for this. He wants you to know he’s okay. He’s fine, and he’s watching over you. He’s here right now. Can you feel him?”
Sophie stopped quivering, and the crystals slid from her palms onto the floor. She opened her confused eyes, and the pain and fear began to clear. A calm feeling flowed over her, and she caught my gaze.
“You’re right. I can feel him. He’s here.” She fell back against the couch and closed her eyes, taking in the warmth of his aura. Her lips moved in a whisper only meant for him. “I love you Brock. I will always love you.”
Letting out a long sigh, her head tipped to rest against her mother’s shoulder, and she fell asleep.
I glanced at Dimples and Willow. Their mouths had dropped open, and they didn’t know what to think. I turned to Mrs. Sanchez and whispered. “We’ll let ourselves out.” She nodded, overcome by what had just happened.
Willow picked up the crystals from the floor with trembling fingers. She placed everything back in her bag and stood, not daring to glance my way. She’d heard a low, commanding voice, but the words weren’t clear. Still… it seemed like I’d heard it too. And what was that scent… was it cologne?
Outside, Dimples led the way to the car, thinking that had been a mistake. It freaked him out that he’d smelled the Armani cologne, and there was no doubt in his mind that Brock had been there. He hadn’t heard anything, but… holy hell. The hairs on the back of his neck were still standing up. Worse, we weren’t any closer to solving the case. He never should have let Willow talk him into this.
I slid into the back seat and fumbled with my seatbelt, grateful Dimples was driving. Before starting the car, he turned in his seat and glanced my way. “What the hell was that?”
Not wanting to get into it, I asked, “Did the hospital check her for sexual assault?”
That took the wind out of his sails. “I didn’t see anything like that in the report.” He glanced Willow’s way. “Did you?”
She shook her head. “No. It wasn’t mentioned.”
“Maybe Brock interrupted them and Sophie’s assailant killed him.” That was the only thing that made sense to me.
“Yeah, I think you might be right.” Willow agreed. “We need to find him.” She glanced my way. “What did you mean about talking to the people at the hotel? It sounded like you think you’d find
