Chapter Two
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Cori knew she’d pushed her luck last night by following Logan after he left the office. She wanted to go into the bar, but she knew he’d spot her and then the gig would be up. What she hadn’t expected was to snap a photo of Brice entering as well.
As she sipped her coffee, she flipped through her cellphone. She was up earlier than normal, and it was a good time to sort through the large amount of photos she’d collected over the past few weeks. She looked at each one, determined if they could be used in her article later, and then deleted the rest. What she was missing was something showing a link between the Hendersons and anyone with questionable ethics. Instead, all she had were pictures showing they were a normal family. This is wrong. They are anything but normal.
Although she wanted to be an investigative reporter, she still felt like she was invading their privacy. She saw pictures of Brice with his wife and children as they walked in the park. Then his sister Zoey as she played the piano at the children’s hospital. It looked like they were the royal family more than the offspring of James Henderson.
“Maybe there’s a reason I’m bypassed for the job each year.” She let her phone drop to the bed and rolled over. “I’m not cut out to do this.” She wasn’t a quitter, but all this time and the only thing she had to go on was a nagging feeling in her gut. Bringing a hunch to the general manager wasn’t only going to deny her promotion, it might cost her the current job. That wasn’t something she could risk.
She knew she should drag her lazy butt out of the bed and go for an early morning jog. It always helped clear her head, and right now it was in a fog. Cori reluctantly pulled back the blanket and slipped out of her comfortable, safe haven. She didn’t bother to shower. Instead, she threw on a pair of pink and black leggings and a matching sports bra. Normally she’d wear a tank top over it, but not many people were up this early.
Once outside, she put earbuds in and turned on her music. It was time to unwind. The sun was about to rise, and the temperature was perfect. After the first few miles, she knew her body needed that. She went from feeling blue and tired to absolutely rejuvenated. It was a new day, and she knew it was going to be a great one.
Cori couldn’t wait to get back to her apartment and start the day. She came to an intersection, quickly looked both ways, then proceeded to cross the street. It was too late when she heard the screeching brakes and felt the bump against her left thigh. It wasn’t hard, but enough to have caused her to fall over and slam to the ground.
A woman was crying out, “Are you okay? Oh, my God. Someone, please call 911.”
Not again.She tried to see who it was standing over her, but the sun was glaring behind the woman, and Cori couldn’t make her out. “Lady, I’m okay. I don’t need an ambulance.”
“Of course you do. Now you don’t move, and I’ll get help.”
Cori wasn’t about to stay lying on her backside in the middle of the street while the woman ran from house to house looking for help. “I’m okay,” Cori called to no avail.
Before she even got off the ground an older couple was by her side. “Oh, don’t move, dear. You could’ve broken something.”
“The only thing hurt is my pride.” She pulled herself up since no one was going to assist her. She wanted to scream out that she wasn’t going to sue any of them.
“Your elbow is bleeding. Why don’t you come in the house and at least let me get you cleaned up? My husband, Loras, can give you a ride home if you need one.” She put an arm around her shoulder and started guiding her to a house not far from where she was trying to cross the street.
“Let me help.” Loras scooped her up into his arms and started walking briskly to the house. “Elizabeth, when we get there, you get the door and the rubbing alcohol, and I’ll set her on the couch.”
Cori felt horrible letting him carry her, as he must’ve been in his sixties. Granted that wasn’t ancient, but still, there was no need. She also knew if she mentioned any of that to him, she’d probably offend him. Not a good way to say thank you. So she held on tight and let him do his thing.
Once inside and on the couch, she tried again to get up. “Please don’t. My wife will have my head if she comes in here and you’re standing.”
Cori smiled. “We don’t need two injuries, now do we?”
Loras grinned. “No miss, we don’t.”
Cori wished she’d worn that tank top now as she felt a bit underdressed in their home. But she hadn’t anticipated going anywhere but back to her apartment.
Elizabeth returned with a clean washcloth and some antibiotic spray. She was grateful not to see rubbing alcohol; that would’ve stung worse than her butt making contact with the pavement. “What’s your name?”
“Cori Sparks. Thank you again for being so kind. I honestly don’t feel bad at all.” That wasn’t exactly true. She was sore and knew it was going to be worse tomorrow. But there was no major injury, which was all that mattered.
“What a pretty name. Are you from around here?” Elizabeth asked.
“I actually live several blocks away. Guess I got carried away with my jog this morning. It was so peaceful—”
“Until you got hit by that car.”
“Yes. That did change my plans today.” More than she could admit to them. All she wanted to do was go home, soak in a hot bathtub, and crawl back into bed. Maybe it was a sign for her to slow down, take a day off. But surely there must be a better way to give me that hint.
“Don’t worry. I took down all her information, and the woman who hit you said to call her and her insurance company if you need anything at all.” Loras handed her a piece of paper.
She really didn’t have any place to hold it. “Thank you. I think I’m just going to head home now.”