Sky’s tiny hands slid along the steering wheel, taking a left turn out of the hospital’s back parking lot exit. Brock waited for her to ask why she’d been called to pick them up at the back of the hospital. The question never came. He stretched his legs out in front of him, grateful for the rest and trying not to doze off. The silence stretched on in the car. Now wasn’t the time to talk. Brock could barely think.
Nash told Sky to drop him, Jax and Toby off at his place. His truck was still at home as he had carpooled into work with Jax. They helped each other out of the back seat and into his house. On leaving, Sky took the route to Brock’s place. The scenery flew past the window, each passing mile bringing with it more urgency. Today was as good a time as any to talk, if she would wait for him to rest for a few hours he could apologize and beg her to give him a chance to make it all up to her.
“Sky.”
“Yes?” She didn’t look at him, just kept her eyes on the road.
“We should talk…can you stay a while?”
“Sure. I don’t have to work until four this afternoon.”
Brock took a deep breath, ready to say more, but they were already at his place. Sky put the car into park in the driveway and looked at him. Her face was expressionless. Without a word, she climbed out of the car and came around to his side. Her arms pressed firmly around his waist to help him out and onto the walkway. At the door, she reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys. Brock braced a hand against the living room wall, supporting his weight until he made it to the sofa where he collapsed and drifted off.
Noises in his kitchen woke him up. Daylight streamed through the living room windows, but it was impossible to tell just what time it was or how long he had been sleeping. More banging sounded in the kitchen. Rolling to one side, Brock stretched. His right arm and leg were asleep, and his neck was stiff. Despite all that, his energy was back.
Sky stood in the doorway, looking uncertainly at him. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. “How are you feeling?” she asked.
Brock sat all the way up. “Good. What time is it?”
“It’s eight in the morning. You slept through the night.”
“You stayed all night?”
“Well I left you while I had to be at work, but used your keys to get in and check up on you. Oh and I slept in your bed.” She looked embarrassed. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course not.” Actually, the thought of Sky curled up between his sheets made his chest ache.
“Thanks. So, feel like breakfast?”
“Sounds great.”
Sky went back to the kitchen. Brock watched her go, staring at the empty doorway after she disappeared.
His work phone rang, interrupting the silence. Brock looked around the living room. It was on the coffee table, along with his personal phone, keys, and wallet. Sky must have emptied his pockets while he slept. A glance at the ground told him she also took off his shoes.
Haverty was calling.
“Hello?” Brock answered.
“Good news, Moore.”
“Yeah?” Brock leaned forward against his knees, waiting for more.
“We got enough to charge Dillon. That last tip was what we needed.”
“Great! What happened?”
“People screw up, that’s what. That Lake Tahoe property was the key. We were able to connect the ownership history to that property owned by Jacob Morris and several others with meth lab setups. It’s over for the two of them. Morris has already been arrested. Dillon may have had someone tip him off, though. He left the country, but we’ll get him. There’s a string of charges against them.”
“Very good.”
“It is.” Haverty paused. “By the way, I should probably raise hell for what you did.”
“I know.”
“I’m not going to. You and your friends were a big help, Moore. You skirted a bit of grey area and got away with it. Just don’t try it again. We may not be able to let it slide next time.”
“I won’t. Thanks again.”
Brock hung up and stared at his phone. Dillon would soon be behind bars. There was only one thing that could make the morning better. Maybe two. Picking his phone back up, he scrolled through his contacts until he found Abby’s number.
“Hi Brock.” She sounded breathless.
“Are you at the hospital?”
“I just left. I was about to call you.” Brock held his breath. “It’s looking great,” Abby squealed. “Iolana’s up and walking around, eating, and doing everything as though she was always fine. The doctors are confused as ever.” Abby giggled.
Brock let out a breath of relief. “Excellent. I’ll come by to see her now.”
“No. Don’t bother. They’re still running tests, but she’ looking so healthy the doctors plan to release her today. You guys did it.”
“Thank God. We couldn’t have pulled it off without your help.”
“Yeah well, we’re family remember?”
Brock relaxed against the couch cushions. “We are. Hey, does Brianna know?”