Page 64 of Scars of Silk

This herein certifies that you are within the researcher sexy line.

I snort and shake my head before turning my attention to my coffee. I definitely need coffee; sleep was not on the agenda last night.

Once I’m showered and dressed in jeans with an oversized sweater, I pull out my laptop. Dan mentioned he found lots of charities that dealt with domestic abuse. Maybe instead of just helping Mum get well and get back to Dad it is time I help her get a new life where she is free. Where we will all finally be free.

Two hours later, I’m heading down the hospital hallway where I’m stopped by a nurse I didn’t see the day before. “Excuse me, Miss. Are you looking for someone?”

“Mrs Richards. My mother. She’s in room 17b.”

“Oh, no. The doctors discharged her earlier when your father came to collect her.”

It takes a moment for her words to make sense.

“Oh. That was quick. She still seemed to be suffering from her injuries when I left last night.”

“Your father assured the doctor that your housekeeper would be home to look after her.”

Fuck. I struggle to contain the rush of blood in my veins. I should have got up earlier. Maybe I should have slept more.

“I shall call them now and find out how she is.”

I turn, my time wasted in travelling to the hospital. Now all the notes I’ve taken from the websites I researched and people I spoke to will be for nothing. I won’t have a chance to talk to her again until the next disaster hits.

It’s the wrong way to live your life. I know that for sure.

My phone rings when I’m walking out the hospital doors. “Hey,” I answer Elijah.

“You okay?”

“Depends on your definition.”

“Need me to do something?”

I sigh and stop walking. “Set up a secret life for my mother so we can squirrel her away like in the movies.”

“Are we talking sleeping with the enemy or that creepy film with Harrison Ford?”

“I think we are talking more Stephen King here.”

“I’m sorry, Si.”

“It’s not for you to be sorry for. It’s me. I just don’t know how to end it all.” I close my eyes to stop the tears from stinging.

“Look. Give me a day or two. I’ve got an idea.”

“Does it involve me running away? Because honestly, that’s what I want to do."

One word circles around my brain. Ibiza.

It’s a word I can’t contemplate until this is sorted. Until I’m truly free.

“You can’t run away. You know I can’t keep up my lawyer pretence without you doing all the hard work behind the scenes.”

I snort. “You speak such bollocks. How's Faith? How did she react to the lack of evidence I found?”

There’s a pause and I groan.

“Eli, you did tell her? You have gone home?”