“We don’t have anything to do with that maintenance, but I agree with you.”
“Thank you, officer.”
“Here’s my card. Call me if something else happens. She didn’t give us a lot to work with. I didn’t even get a copy of the email.”
“I know,” I said, feeling bad as I took the card. “Thank you.”
“Just doing my job.”
I waved then walked outside, expecting to see Jocelyn. She was nowhere in sight. Instead of rushing off to find her, I went to class a bit early. Austin sent a text on the walk over, but I didn’t answer. I wasn’t sure of anything anymore.
TWENTY-FIVE
Brooke
After classes, I went to the apartment to check on Jocelyn. She was sulking on the couch when I walked in.
“You okay?” I asked as I set my backpack down near the door.
“No,” she said. “I’m afraid to go out.”
“You should call off work for the night.”
“I already did. They don’t believe me either.”
“What did they say?”
“They’re giving me the day off, but they laughed at me. I’m about to lose my job there, I think.”
“You can’t let that happen,” I said. “If I move out at the end of the semester…”
She stood up and cut me off, saying, “Don’t move out on me. Please. Not now.”
“We both know this isn’t working out. You’re a good friend, and I don’t want to end up hating you because we lived together too long.”
I rubbed her arm a moment.
“Can you think of anyone who would do this to you? Anyone who would want to hurt you?”
“Just one.”
“Leave him out of this. Austin had nothing to do with it.”
“You’re going to be okay,” I said.
“How do you know?” she snapped.
“You know what? I’m going to call Austin’ roommates. They’re always with him.”
“They’ll just lie for him.”
“Maybe, but I’m going to ask them.”
“I’m going to lay down.”
She stood and walked out of the living room. I wondered if I should call Austin or just go over to his house? It wasn’t far away, and I hadn’t seen or talked to him since the night before. Damn, he was right. All we did was fuck or fight.
I took a deep breath then got to my feet. A minute later, I was out the door and walking toward Austin’ house. I was going to get to the bottom of this by the end of the night. Part of me wanted to believe Jocelyn, but she’d lied one too many times before.