Never Again

Chapter 20

Cora sat in her father's police car, looking out the window at the night sky. She was silent as he drove, her mind wandering to the thought of Kozik. She couldn't rid herself of jealousy; she couldn't shake away the fear that he was hooking up with someone else.

She hated that she felt that way. He wasn't her boyfriend; she had no right to worry about who he was sleeping with. Yet, she couldn't help but feel the way that she did, and that scared her.

She didn't want romance; she didn't have time, or at least, she wouldn't allow herself time for it. It was safer to just keep a distance from everyone; she didn't want to risk getting her heart broken again.

Whatever she was feeling for Kozik, it needed to go away. They could only be friends; it was likely that he would want that too. After all, why would he be interested in her? She was just the boring counselor who didn't drink, had a fear of motorcycles, and talked his ear off at parties.

The sound of Unser's radio going off snapped Cora out of her daze. She turned her head, glancing over at her father, listening to what was being said. The voice was muffled, but both father and daughter managed to understand its message. Someone had made an anonymous tip about a car parked outside a warehouse—a black Cadillac, to be exact.

Unser froze at the description of the vehicle, glancing over at his daughter with wide eyes. "That sounds like Gemma's car."

Cora gave a shrug. "Why would Gemma's car be at a warehouse?"

Despite his daughter's nonchalance, Unser couldn't shake the feeling of dread that crept over him. "We should go check it out," he muttered. "Just to be safe."

Cora gave a sigh; she was tired and just wanted to get to bed, but she knew that Unser was right. The least they could do was check out the scene, make sure that everything was alright. "Sure," she agreed. "Let's go."

Unser radioed back to whoever had announced the tip, asking them to repeat the address so he could check it out. The instant they responded, Unser turned the car around, heading in the opposite direction of Cora's apartment.

Cora closed her eyes as he drove, resting as she slumped in her seat, listening to the faint static of her father's radio.

After a few minutes, they arrived at the warehouse. Unser pulled into the parking lot, stopping his car beside the Cadillac that had been described. Cora glanced out the passenger window at it; she instantly recognized it as Gemma's car. Her father had been right.

She swallowed nervously, looking over at her father. "That's definitely Gemma's Cadillac," she murmured, dread in her voice.

Sighing, Unser unbuckled his seatbelt. "Stay here." Cora nodded as he opened his car door and got out. She watched as he made his way up the warehouse ramp, disappearing inside.

He was gone for a few minutes. After a while, Cora started to worry. She contemplated getting out and going inside to check on her father, but she decided against it. He had told her to stay in the car. Clearly, he was worried that something bad had happened to Gemma—something that could put Cora at risk.

She waited another few minutes, watching the warehouse door closely, until finally, it opened, and Unser emerged with Gemma. She was clinging to his side, an arm wrapped around his shoulder as she struggled to walk. Her face was swollen and bruised, and her hair was a mess; her clothes appeared to be torn too, though she hid that with a blanket that was wrapped around her body.

They started to make their way down the ramp; Cora unbuckled and got out of the car, rushing to meet up with them. She went to Gemma's other side, grabbing hold of the matriarch's arm, helping her as she walked to the car. She guided Gemma to the passenger seat and then popped into the backseat. Unser got into the driver's seat, starting the car and pulling out of the parking lot and onto the main road.