Page 84 of Betrayed
Zara came up beside AJ. “How do we even clean that up? And I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure I can sleep here knowing some creep has been messing with our stuff.”
“How bad was your room?”
“Eh. A few things put in random places, but nothing like yours. However, the kitchen is a hot mess.”
It was all too much. AJ gripped Logan’s arm to steady herself.
Will said, “I have an idea. Take pictures and call Adam or Amelia.”
AJ snapped photos with her phone while Logan called Adam.
Will went to the kitchen and came back with several large spoons, spatulas, and cups, then started scooping up the puddles of soap. “I’d leave it, but it could damage the floorboards.”
AJ grabbed some towels and, once Will cleared the area in front of the door, she laid down the towel so he could go farther in. Eventually, Zara and Logan joined Will, and AJ went to let in Adam and the CSU team.
She walked them through what had happened, including the missing firearm, and the team collected evidence. About an hour later, CSU finished and left, leaving Adam behind with AJ and her friends.
They all worked to clean up the mess, and it was in decent shape by four in the morning. She needed to be at the station in three hours, but she could not sleep in the apartment.
She was flipping her books back when Will came to her. “I’m going to take Zara to my parents’ house to get some sleep. Do you want to come too? You are more than welcome. You know how my mom is.”
She checked her watch. “At this point, I think I’ll go to the station and sleep with ear plugs in. That way I can get the most sleep possible before my shift starts. But I appreciate the offer. I can always go to my dad’s too.”
Will nodded and walked away.
All five of them left the apartment utterly exhausted. The emotional toll was as much as the physical. But AJ couldn’t get over how much she appreciated the people God had put in her life.
AJ rolled over in the bunk at the fire station. Someone was touching her shoulder.
“Morning, sunshine.” Emily. The young, cheery EMT held out a donut on a small paper plate.
AJ popped the earplugs out of her ears.
“I found your note to wake you, but Ty demanded I wait another hour. I made sure the guys saved you one of these.”
“Oh, sweet dear. You are my favorite person today.” AJ swung her feet off the bed, sat up, and took the donut. “Not just for the donut, but for listening to Ty and giving me more time. I’m so tired I could scream.” Completely disregarding the nasty taste in her mouth, she took a generous bite of the chocolate-iced pastry.
“Been there. A fresh pot of coffee is waiting for you too.”
“Definitely going to need that.” AJ finished the donut and got ready for the day.
Ten minutes later, she walked into the living area.
Don said, “Look, someone actually decided to come to work today.” He winked at her.
She simply shook her head, not acknowledging what he said. After getting her coffee, she mulled about, seeing what everyone else was up to for the morning. When the coffee was gone, she deposited her cup in the sink, and Brennan came around the corner and tossed her a football.
“No one will throw the ball around with me, but I need to start practicing for that Thanksgiving game if I want to be quarterback.”
She chuckled. The entire department had been joking all year about having a football game for Thanksgiving, but considering the day would most likely be busy with kitchen fires, they were talking about playing the game the Saturday before.
“Fine. Let’s go.” AJ had never been close to her brother, but one of her favorite memories was when he taught her how to throw a football.
She and Brennan went out front, then to the side yard of the station. During their shifts they were expected to get some level of exercise in as time permitted, and this counted.
She tossed him the ball.
He caught it. “Go long.”
