Page 29 of Keeping Collette

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

The heavy weight of his arm rested on her shoulder. “You’re welcome.”

They sat there with the sounds of the night filling the air, existing in their own little bubble.

The reality of what she had to do next, lurked in the background, waiting for her to conquer it.

How was she ever going to get through it all?

Chapter Fourteen

“I’m ready.” The words were spoken in a low tone, but there was no mistaking the steel behind them.

Deal had no idea how long he and Collette had sat in the dirt after she’d been sick. He hadn’t timed it, but he would’ve waited hours if that was what she needed.

“Are you sure?” It didn’t matter that Jag and Fox were waiting for them at the site. His friends would stay for however long was necessary. He’d fired off a quick text after Collette had leaped from the car, letting them know they would be a little while longer.

“I can’t keep putting it off. I’ve heard the cars going past. Someone knows we’re here, and I’m surprised they haven’t stopped.”

The cars that had gone past were probably eager to get away from the site and didn’t want to waste time to see who was sitting on the side of the road.

“Okay, let’s go then.” He helped her stand, keeping her tucked close to him. Like she had back at her place, she leaned into him, and he fought off the way his body was perking up in interest.

If he’d met her in different circumstances, would he have been interested in her?

Yes.

The answer came quickly. His original wariness around her was because he wasn’t sure if she was the type of person who used people for their own gains. Astrid was a well-known celebrity, and as he’d never seen Collette before, his first instinct was to protect his friend’s wife. Which was ridiculous, considering Growler was relaxed around Collette when he’d seen her at the restaurant.

Deal pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind. The next few minutes were going to be tough for them all to get through.

He helped Collette into his SUV and made his way quickly around to his side, scanning the area as he went. Not that he could see much, because the moon had dipped behind the clouds. His instincts weren’t screaming to be cautious, but he paused to look around again. Satisfied that everything was okay, he got in and drove the short distance to where floodlights lit up a small area.

“Oh god,” Collette half-gasped, half-cried when he pulled to a stop.

“I know I keep asking this, but are you sure you want to do this? You don’t have to. I’ll turn the car around and head back to your place. She’s not here, one of the cars that went past us was from the County Examiner’s office.”

Part of the reason they were here was for Collette to see her sister, but that was no longer an option. He also understood she needed to be at the place where her sister’s body was found. It wasn’t as if this was the place Courtney took her last breath. If it had been any of his friends, would he be the same? Would he need to see their last resting place? Very likely he would. As she’d said, it was part of her need for closure. To admit there was no hope of them ever coming back.

What he thought didn’t matter. The only person that mattered was Collette. Her needs were a priority, and he would do what he could to meet them.

Tears glistened in her eyes as she shook her head. “I’m going to have to go to the morgue and identify her body anyway, aren’t I? I’m the only person who cares—cared about my sister. I doubt my parents would bother with any of this. They probably wouldn’t care that Courtney is dead.” She straightened and wiped her eyes. “This is just something I need to do.”

They’d had this conversation many times in the last hour, and he was sure Collette was sick of him asking her, but it was necessary. He didn’t want her to have any doubts about what she was doing. Didn’t want her to have regrets, which he was sure she wouldn’t, but doing what she had to do was going to be one of the hardest things in her life. “Okay. I’m sorry for continuing to ask you this. Let’s go. Remember, I’ve got you.”

“Thank you. You didn’t have to do this with me. I appreciate you being here.”

He touched her hand. “Stay here, I’ll come round and open the door for you.”

Collette nodded. In different circumstances, he wouldn’t be surprised if she balked at him telling her what to do.

With quick movements, he was around to her side of the car and opened the door. He held out his hand, and she took it. He didn’t let her go as they made their way over to the site. There weren’t that many people around, but there were still some sifting through the dirt beneath a pop-up shelter.

Off to the side stood Jag and Fox. Deal had been surprised to hear that Fox would be joining Jag at the site, but also glad. Cynthia had done a number on Fox. Their team leader was hurting badly. They’d hadn’t said much to him, primarily because he hadn’t wanted to talk about the whole situation.

As he got closer to the two men, he picked up on the fact that Fox had gotten a haircut and had shaved off his beard. He didn’t look as disheveled as he had the past few weeks. That had to be a good sign.

“Thanks for waiting,” Deal said, as they got to them. Collette’s fingers tightened around his, and he gave her a slight squeeze back.