“I made Rabbit a sandwich.” Cecilia offered me the plate.
I shook my head. “I don’t think she’ll eat it, Cecilia. She, ah, she wants to be alone right now.” I half-heartedly lifted my own sandwich up and then put it back down. I didn’t have any appetite either.
Cecilia’s hand covered mine. “Today has been a very stressful day for her, Joshua. The shock alone of him showing up here would have unnerved her sufficiently. Never mind all the awful things he said.”
I nodded. “She won’t look at me, Cecilia. I don’t understand why.”
She sighed. “I have a suspicion as to why, Joshua.” She stood up. “I’m going to go and take her this.” I watched her pick up the sandwich and go down the hall.
Pushing my plate away, I stood up. Daniel was on the phone and I could hear him making the arrangements at the hospital for Lizzy the next day. Trevor was looking out the window. Adam was upstairs, his fingers busy on the laptop and his Bluetooth getting a workout. I heard ‘restraining order’ and knew he was moving full steam ahead. “Where’s Frank?” I asked.
Trevor looked at me. “Having a nap.”
“A nap?”
He nodded.
“We doubt he’ll return, Joshua. He knows the truth is out there now. The gate is locked and you have the security cameras on, but we just want to make sure and be prepared. Frank and Adam are staying behind. They’ll take turns being awake and alert until tomorrow. One of them will stay behind when you go to the hospital with Lizzy tomorrow.” He paused. “You are planning on going with her, right?”
I looked at him. It hadn’t even occurred to me I wouldn’t be. Beside her was exactly where I would be, no matter where it was. No matter how hard it was to do it, I was going with her. I nodded.
“How do we know he’s not just pulled off somewhere down the road?” I wondered out loud. I was startled when I felt Adam’s huge hand settle on my shoulder. For someone so large, he was remarkably quiet.
He chuckled. “Let’s just say Brian James isn’t the only one who knows about tracking devices, Joshua.”
I gaped at him. “You planted something on him?”
Adam shook his head. “Tsk, Joshua. I am an officer of the court. That would be illegal. I wasn’t the one who made sure he had enough strength to get in the truck and helped to hoist him up.”
I looked at him, noticing the twinkle in his eye. “Frank?” I asked.
He waggled his eyebrows at me and shrugged. “I have it on good authority that the truck left the property and has yet to stop. My educated guess is they are heading to the airport and are planning on leaving directly from there.”
His face turned serious. “How is Lizzy?”
I shook my head. “Broken.”
Daniel came over. “Give her time, Joshua. Today was a massive shock and she was already struggling. Everything is set for tomorrow. I’ll meet you at ten. Just let her be for today. She may act out of character or she may rebound quickly and seem okay later. But let her feel what she is feeling.”
I nodded in understanding.
He moved forward and looked at me. “I suggest you get some rest yourself. You look like shit.”
I couldn’t help but grin. “Is that your medical opinion? Or just a friendly observation?”
He chuckled. “Both. Do you want me to look at your leg?”
I shook my head. “No, it’s just strained. I’ll take some painkillers and soak it in the tub.”
Beside me, Adam laughed lowly. “It’s not used to you using it as a weapon, Joshua? I have to say, that was a rather impressive display out there. Remind me not to get you angry with me.”
I shook my head. “I shouldn’t have lost my temper like that. I’m afraid I’ve frightened Rabbit now. He was just so fucking …” my voice trailed off as I searched for the right word.
“Vile.” Adam finished for me.
I nodded.
“He deserved what he got. And then some, in my opinion. You were defending her, Joshua. She knows that. I think she is just reacting to the entire fucked-up situation here. I highly doubt she is frightened of you,” Adam offered in comfort.
Daniel nodded. “I agree; her body language was that of emotional pain, not fear, Joshua. Give her some time to process what happened. Talk to her.”
I smiled grimly at both of them. “I will.”
I heard Cecilia come down the hall and I turned, watching her go to the sink with an uneaten sandwich and the glass of milk she had taken to Rabbit. I grimaced, knowing she hadn’t been able to get Rabbit to eat anything. I left the others discussing the plans for the rest of the day and went over to Cecilia. She looked up as I approached and I saw the glimmer of tears in her eyes.
I grabbed her arm. “What? What did she say?”
She looked at me and shook her head. “I got her to talk to me a little, Joshua. I won’t break her confidence. Be patient. She’ll tell you.” Her voice lowered. “She’s going to need some support that only you can give her.”