Hayes’ eyes widened. “He let you on the property? Am I in theTwilight Zoneor something?”
I would’ve laughed if I weren’t so worried about Laiken. “A mutual friend pressured him into it.”
“Never heard of another soul allowed out there other than Lor.”
An image of the young woman on the rise flashed in my mind, but I had a feeling if I blew the whistle on that one, Ramsey would kick me right off his property. I shrugged. “I guess I’m just lucky enough to follow his grumpy ass around.”
Hayes let out a bark of laughter. “He’s not exactly the warm and fuzzy sort.”
“Not so much.” I glanced towards The Gallery. I could barely make out the top of Laiken’s head. She had to be sitting on the floor. My chest constricted. “Can you tell me what happened?”
Hayes shook his head. Not declining my request, more trying to make sense of what he was about to tell me. “She lost a friend. Car accident.”
“Hell,” I muttered. “I was going to bring her some lunch—”
“Do it.”
I looked back at Hayes in question.
“She’s got walls thicker than Fort Knox, but if you can figure out a way through them, I think she could use a friend.”
My brow lifted. “You a cop or a therapist?”
“I’m the sheriff, but the job usually comes with a bit of both.” He pulled a card from his wallet and handed it to me. “My cell’s on there. You run into any issues around town, give me a call. But the locals are pretty respectful.”
“I’m trying to keep a low profile.”
“This would be a good place to do it. Need anything at all, give me a shout.”
I shook his hand again. “Thanks. I’ll just…”
Hayes’ lips twitched. “Good luck.”
I watched as he jogged across the street and then walked towards The Gallery’s door. The sign said it was closed, but I gave the handle a try anyway. It pulled right open, the bell jingling.
“I’m sorry, we’re closed early for the day,” Laiken said, not looking up.
I didn’t say anything, just moved to a spot on the wall a couple of feet from her and lowered myself to the floor. “Hey.”
She blinked a few times, holding her tiny dog to her chest. “We’re closed.”
“I know.”
A hint of anger flared to life in those eyes. “Famous Hollywood star probably used to getting whatever he wants. There are no closed stores, right?”
“Definitely don’t get everything I want.”
“Sure,” she scoffed.
I searched for something to say. Anything that might bring comfort. But there were never the right words when it came to situations like these. The only thing that helped was to know you weren’t alone in it. “My girlfriend died six months ago. Overdose.”
All the fight went out of Laiken in a single breath. “I’m sorry.” She stared down at her hands. “I can’t imagine how hard that must’ve been.”
“She was my best friend for my whole life. More of a friend than lover, if I’m honest. But I’d take her in my life in any way I could get her.” The words tumbled out of me, ones I hadn’t given to a single other human being. “It crushed me in more ways than I can count.”
“I know what that’s like.” Her voice was rough. As if she’d smoked a pack of cigarettes and downed a fifth of whiskey. Something about that tone told me it was more than just the friend who had died today. Grief had etched itself into Laiken’s very soul.
“I’m sorry about your friend.”