Wright In Danger

Chapter Eight

"Are you sure you didn't over do it?" June asked looking at the mix of brownies and cookies, she held. Holding the container to her chest, she gave her sister a look. "They're comfort foods. There needs to be plenty." Having made them from scratch, they had taken her the better part of the night. She needed enough to split between Colson and Lina. "Just assure me you have some left over at the house." Reaching over, she pinched June's cheek. "Of course I do, baby sister. I always have you in mind." Swatting her hand away, they had arrived at the apartment building. 

"I hope he hasn't gone anywhere yet," Loraine said. She'd rather June didn't have to drive her all the way out to the job site when here was much closer to Lina. Climbing out, the heat of the day was already upon them. Loraine was glad she had gone with wearing a skirt today and not her normal jeans. Making their way to the door, she touched the intercom button. "Who is it?" he barked. They shared a look before Loraine spoke into it. "Colson. It's Loraine and June. I made brownies and cookies. Can we come up?"

The sound of the door unlocking was answer enough. Making their way inside, they wrinkled their noses at the odors. Loraine took the lead as they slowly made their way up to the second floor. The building was old and in bad need of repairs. Walking to his door, June knocked for them. It was a moment before he answered. He didn't even greet them as he took the container for Loraine while waving them in. "I'm popular today. Already had a visit from the detective and the officer." Loraine wasn't surprised by this. They wouldn't have been able to ask him everything they wanted in breaking the news to him.

Looking around the place was a complete disaster. Surely the mess couldn't have accumulated in such a short time. Sitting down, he shoved some of the mess on the table away. Taking the lid off he grabbed for a brownie, putting the entire thing in his mouth. As they waited for him to finish, Loraine noticed what he was wearing. Work clothes. Having been told it's rude to point, she couldn't help herself. "You're heading off to work?" Swallowing, he nodded. "Yeah. No way am I sitting around here. I'll go crazy."

If their roles were reversed Loraine knew she would need work or anything else to keep her mind occupied. "Are you working a full day or half?" Eyes falling back to the container, she worried he was going to polish it off before they left. "Full. We got a new guy and I'll be honest. Some of us can't tell if he just sucks or if he just doesn't care about the job. Either way, I know they'd prefer to have me there." It was good that he was sure of himself. He looked up at her, his brow creasing. "What happened to you?"

"I take it they didn't tell you. I intervened when Allison was being kidnapped. As I was trying to pull her away, the kidnapper punched me in the face." His anger could be felt. "No. They didn't tell me. They should have. Are you going to be okay?" Now she was worried he was going to march into the station and yell at them. "I'll be fine. Colson. There's something I need to tell you. A message, Allison told me to pass on to you." This had his full attention, his anger vanishing. "What did she say?"

Sharing a look with June, she swallowed. "Tell my brother I'm sorry." She watched as the color leeched from his face, making the blue of his eyes stand out. Getting to his feet, he started pacing. Unable to hold the question back any longer, Loraine blurted it out. "What would she have to apologize for, Colson?" He didn't stop pacing, thrusting a hand into his hair. "You're guess is as good as mine." Stopping he looked at her. "Thank you for trying to save her. They really should have told me you had been involved. Your baking also is phenomenal." His smile was a fleeting thing.

"We should get going. We wouldn't want to make you late. Everyone in this town knows how Rita gets about being on time." Heading for the door, she was stopped short by his arms coming around her. Placing her hand on him, she touched her forehead to his. "We'll talk later. Don't eat the entire container before you leave. I mean it." Chuckling, he let her go. "Yes, ma'am." Shutting the door behind them, they didn't immediately start for the stairs. "You really think he's going to be alright?" June ventured. Wrapping her arm around her shoulders, they started walking. "Time will tell. Let's get over to Lina's."

Pulling up to the boutique, they found it was already busy. Taking Lina's container from the backseat, they climbed out. Loraine hoped she would be able to spare a few minutes to talk. Making their way inside, Loraine felt the need to hide. She hadn't thought she'd need concealer for a brief visit. Holding a hand up to her eye to hide it, they made their way further in. Lina was in here somewhere. They found her organizing the bags. She did a double take, a squeak coming out as she rushed forward for a hug. 

"You're here." Stepping back, her eyes were watery. "Oh, gosh, Your poor eye. You gave me such a bad scare. I couldn't wake you up." Pressing her hands to her mouth, she worked to collect herself. "I'm sorry for giving you such a bad scare. Solei said she comforted you. It was good to hear that." Nodding, she took her hands away to wrap her arms around her middle. "She really helped me out. I was in such a  daze. Officer Duvall had been so kind to me when her and the detective got to the scene. I'm glad she suggested I go home. It was the right call."

"Well. We just came from Colson's. Wanted to see how he was faring and give him a container of my homemade brownies and cookies. I made some for you too. I'll tell you what I told him. Don't eat them all in one sitting." Handing them over, Lina beamed. "I'm sure they're going to taste wonderful. Thank you. Though, I can't promise I won't eat them all at once. I have a terrible sweet tooth." Winking, Loraine laughed. It felt good to after what she'd been through. 

"I see you're not hurting after not having been open," June said. Placing the last bag on her arm onto a hook, she raised a brow. "Not at all. The weather didn't make for good shopping anyway. People were coming in almost as soon as I turned my sign over." It was good to know her business didn't suffer. Summer and Fall were the peak seasons for making sales. "Allison is the topic of everyone's conversations. It's wild to me the speculations of why she was taken. It gets to be hard to hear them." They were going to be enduring the same thing come tomorrow. 

"We all have to trust that the kidnapper will be found and Allison will be able to come home," Loraine said. "Lina?" A customer called out. "That's our cue to go. We'll talk later." With another hug, they headed out. Back in the car, Loraine wasn't yet ready to go home. Having been cooped up all day yesterday, she wanted to enjoy the good weather. "Do you want to go sit in the park? I could use the fresh air." June tapped her fingers on the wheel. "That actually sounds...perfect."

They were in luck, finding an unoccupied bench. Closing her eyes, she let herself just be for the moment. Tomorrow was going to be a madhouse at the shop. She had only ever been nervous when it came to the shop once. That was opening day. She hadn't been able to sleep a wink. Staying up late on the phone with June to be sure they had everything just right. She'd been grateful for her sisters patience. She could have hung up on her at any point, telling her to get to sleep and not worry so much. She hadn't though and it made all the difference with the way she approached the morning.

Her eyes came open at the amber alert on her phone. Everyone's phones in the vicinity went off as well. She opened her phone to a Allison's face and a picture of the black van. Her throat went tight seeing Allison's smiling face. June's hand landed on her arm. "Don't let guilt eat at you. You know you did everything you could for her. She knows it too." She looked up at her as the first tear fell. "I'm so scared for her. You didn't see the look on her face." Laying her head on June's shoulder, she cried freely.