Page 7 of Sanctuary

“Don’t worry, honey. It won’t take too long,” Mrs. Ridner says behind me. “You want to come on inside to my place? I’ll make up somecoffee.”

“No, I…” I don’t finish my thought. I can’t think. I don’t realize I’m still staring at the officer or that my mouth is partially open until I feels Scott’s hand on my shoulder. I look up at him. He’s standing beside me on thesteps.

“I have to get to the office,” he says. “What you doneed?”

I don’t know, I almost say, but that’s not true. I need to let the police do their job, even if they are terrible and slow. I need to get some clothes and go to work. I have work. I have plenty of work. Plenty of shit to do. And surely David Dorrit Jr. won’t send a backup hit man to my office in broad daylight. The office. The office is a good idea. I won’t be alone at theoffice.

“Nothing, nothing,” I say, shaking my head and letting out a deep breath. I straighten my shoulders and ignore the pain in my ribs. Get it together, Lewis. “I’ll um—I’ll just head toward the office. There’s a Kleinman’s up the block. I’ll grab something to wear and head intowork.”

“Cool. You want a lift?” he says as he backs toward the street. I look up the block and glance at the yellow cab waiting up at the light. Scott never takes thesubway.

“Sure,” I say. We’ve only been on the street a few minutes and I’ve already started sweating. The cab driver will have the air on. Taking a cab to the office is a greatidea.

* * *

Kleinman’s isn’t open yet,but I turn down Scott’s offer to escort me to the Starbucks on the corner. He’s done enough in the last twelve hours. The streets are full and busy and I don’t know what’s worse, being alone or feeling like there’s someone else in this throng of people looking for me, waiting to finish the job. I get in line and order a latte and then wait for a man to finish his newspaper so I can take his emptyseat.

When I sit, I realize I have to tell someone about this. Someone who isn’t a cop or a nurse. Or Scott. I have to tell one of my friends to release some of this pressure. I text Rayna. I know she’s up. Her grandma is an earlyriser.

I have to tell yousomething,

but I don’t want you to freakout.

I’mokay.

Iseethose three little bubbles popup.

Okay,go.

Someone broke into myapartment

last night and attackedme.

I killedhim.

OMGLiz.

Sorry. I’m not freakingout.

Are youokay?

I mean I know you’re notokay

But are youokay?

That’s some self defense doneright.

Shit,girl.

Yeah. I’mfine.

I’m pretty sure I’m still inshock.

What can Ido?

How can Ihelp?

Nothing. I’mokay.