“Yup, and I’m going for the ride.” Charlene beamed.
Sofia blinked several times, as though it might help her hear something else, something logical. “You’re doing what?”
“He asked me if I wanted to tag along. I said yes.”
Sofia got up off the couch and paced the floor before she turned back and said firmly, “You’re crazy. You can’t go anywhere with this guy. You just met him this morning. How do you know he’s not a murderer or something?”
“Sofia, he helps horses. How can someone like that be a bad person?”
She threw her hands up in the air. In a more forceful voice, she asked, “Have you ever watched the news? Seen a horror movie? They always look nice until they’re not. You can’t go.”
Charlene got up slowly and said, “Listen mom, I’m old enough to make my own decisions. And besides, your mother liked him.”
“My mother said you should go?” Sofia asked.
Charlene replied, “I didn’t ask. But she said he seemed like a very nice young man. Hell Sofia, I haven’t met anyone like him in a long time. Everyone here is…the same. He’s so…different. What the hell do I have to lose?”
“Your life,” she snapped.
“Now who’s being overdramatic? I promise, nothing is going to happen to me. It’s only for the weekend. I’ll be back Sunday night.”
“Charlene, you’re really going to do this, aren’t you?” Charlene nodded. Sofia knew there was no talking her out of it. “Then I want you to promise me to text me all his information.”
“Got it. And I’ll even check in every few hours if you want.”
“Okay.” It was better than nothing.
“I’ve got to go. I’m meeting him at the garage in an hour and I need to shower and pack.” Charlene gave Sofia a hug and added, “Try to have some fun yourself while I’m gone. I hate thinking of you sitting in this apartment, bored.”
I won’t be. I’ll be praying that you’re safe.“I’ll be studying. Now don’t forget, I want his name and the license plate, and maybe a picture too.”
“Sure, and I’ll ask his blood type as well,” Charlene joked.
Sofia wasn’t laughing. She really was going to worry the entire time. But one good thing about having a brother on the police department, once she had the info from Charlene, she could find out if the guy really was a nice one or not. Please be what you seem to be. She’s my best friend and I couldn’t stand it if anything happened.
Charlene left the apartment and Sofia stood there motionless. Things were changing, and right now, she didn’t like it at all. Studying and being prepared for Monday weren’t going to happen. What a way to start my weekend.
Dylan pulled up in front of the Henderson building and said, “You ready for this?”
Gareth asked, “Are you worried?” Dylan nodded. Gareth said, “We can turn around and go home. No one knows we’re here. No harm done so far.”
He was tempted to do just that. “And then we’re back where we started. Not a place I want to be.”
“Then park this thing and let’s go inside before they have security come out and ask us to move.”
Dylan put it in park and shut off the engine. Sure enough, someone was approaching. “Do you have an appointment?” he asked.
Dylan shook his head. “No, but we’re here to see Brice Henderson.”
“Not without an appointment,” the security guard stated.
Gareth pulled out a business card and said, “Call him and tell him the Lawsons from New York are here.”
The guard looked at the card then at the two of them. He spoke into a mic that was attached to his shoulder. “I have two men here to see Brice. They don’t have appointments. Their last name is Lawson. They said they’re from New York.”
There was a delay, and the guy just stood there blocking their entrance. It was kind of funny, because neither of them was going to rush the place. If Brice wouldn’t see them, then it didn’t matter. It meant he wasn’t going to give them any valuable information anyway.
A moment later the guard said firmly, “Come with me.”