Ari drained her wine glass and set it on the table. She figured if she was going to break things off with Nick, she might as well have a bit of a buzz.
“Did you hear anything else about the Vigilante?” Veronica asked.
Startled, Ari asked, “Me?”
“Well, anyone, I guess. I haven’t seen the news.”
“I heard there’s a reward out for him. From the mayor’s office,” Oliver said. “The senior partners were talking about it today. Sounds like everyone was kind of willing to let this slide until he shot that kid.”
“Do they have any idea who it is?” Ari asked, playing dumb.
“I think the police know more than they’re letting on,” Nick said.
Oliver leaned forward. “Why do you think that?”
“I talked to some of the cops today at the courthouse. This guy won’t get away with it. In fact, I suspect they’re pretty close.”
“Anything specific?”
Nick took a sip of wine. “Well, I hate to tell Ari this, but rumor has it, the police are very interested in the program Oscar came from. It’s possible the Vigilante has some kind of connection with the GYC.”
“What? Why?” Ari asked.
“You saw the video. The two men were pretty evenly matched. Oscar could have taken him if it weren’t for that gun.”
“That’s too bad,” Oliver said. “They’ve got a great thing going on over there. I’d hate to see it shut down.”
“I doubt it will come to that, but I could see some kind of investigation taking place. Or possibly removing the staff if necessary.”
Ari frowned. “The staff? Why? They’re awesome. What does this crazy guy have to do with the program anyway?”
“Like I said, I’m not sure, but it seems logical if the murderer is connected somehow. Why do you care so much? You only have one kid placed there. Surely Judge Hatcher can help you find another placement.”
“Because, like Oliver, I think it’s a pretty great program and I’d hate to see it get destroyed by some nut job.”
“I didn’t say it would be destroyed. Just possibly under more reputable management.”
“You’ve never even been there. How do you know there’s a problem with management?” Ari’s voice hit an unpleasant level and across the table, Oliver raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like a bunch of courthouse gossip,” she said. She got up and started clearing the table. In the kitchen, she turned on the faucet and scraped the plates into the sink.
Nick came in behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “What’s bothering you?”
Ari shook him off and moved to the other side of the kitchen, digging in the upper cabinet for plastic containers. She glanced in the dining room. Oliver and Veronica had disappeared.
“So, you’re mad? Because of what, exactly?”
She turned and said, “Because …” Because what? He offended her secret lover? He called her mystery guy a murderer, which he wasn’t. Not the real Vigilante, which had implications she wasn’t even ready to get into. Because she was ready to break up with Nick and a fight seemed better than, “it’s not you, it’s me?”
Nick leaned against the refrigerator, arms crossed. He was handsome, smart, and caring. He was everything she should want. But he wasn’t. And right then, there was too much going on that he didn’t fit into.
“I don’t know what my problem is. I just …” Ari paused. She held the plastic container tight in her hands. “I just think we should take some time apart maybe. I’m not sure we’re a good idea.”
He dropped his arms. And seemed shocked. Ari’s fleeting hope that he might have felt the same were dashed. “Wait, you want us to stop seeing each other?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
“Is this because of tonight? Because I know I can be argumentative—it’s in my nature.”
“No, it’s not that. Things are crazy for me right now and I just need some space,” Ari said, lamely.
They stood across from one another for a short, tense moment.
“It’s that guy isn’t it?”
Ari swallowed the lump in her throat. “What guy?”
Without responding, Nick turned on his heel and stormed out of the kitchen. Ari didn’t follow but heard him gathering his coat and keys. She picked up a rag and started wiping the counter, continuing when the front door opened. He must have stood there waiting for a solid minute, but Ari didn’t budge. She knew she was right, even if she wasn’t being honest with him. With no other recourse, Nick slammed the door and walked out.
Chapter 18
Ari entered Glorious, pushing past the group of people standing at the door. The DJ’s music vibrated across her skin and thrummed with her already excited heart. Davis said he’d meet her there at midnight.
A guy stopped in front of her and smiled. “Can I buy you a drink?” He was cute. A spikey fauxhawk crowned his head and four rings gleamed down the side of his ear. He lifted an empty beer bottle. Forward, much?