Unlovable

Chapter Four: Disappearing

Darcie hung up the phone and took a deep breath. She hoped she sounded as sure of herself as she tried to, even though on the inside she was nothing but afraid of it all blowing up in her face.

Hopefully, Mr.Reynolds didn't think it was a prank or a scam. Darcie supposed when he got the money order he'd know otherwise.

She promised herself she would pray on it later, but right now she had one final call to make.

Darcie had left all of her friends behind when she met Harold.

It started off slowly, blowing off parties and other celebrations, limiting her relationships to a few phone calls here and there, until they had lost contact all together.

It was something Harold inadvertently told her to do, in an all you need is me kind of way.

Darcie was far from stupid and she knew she had to change her identity the best she could if she had any chance of getting and staying away from him.

Lucky for her, Darcie knew just the person to help her.

Kim had been her best friend for months before she'd been married. She worked with Darcie in the truck stop while she achieved her degree in private investigation.

Now, Kim owned a small investigative firm and prided herself on being the most sought after P.I in Chicago. Darcie followed her career as much as she could, and was so incredibly proud of the woman her best friend had become.

If anyone knew how to cheat the system and get results it was Kim. She knew all the people you shouldn't know, and those were the kinds of people Darcie needed now.

Darcie picked up the phone and dialed the old number, hoping that it hadn't changed over the years.

She crossed her fingers as she waited for Kim to pick up the phone.

Luckily, Kim answered on the fifth ring.

"Chicago Investigations. Lead detective Kim Portner speaking," she answered.

Darcie smiled to herself.

"Hey Kimmie," she said softly.

It was so good to hear Kim's voice on the other line. It had been at least two years since she'd had that pleasure. Just the familiar sound of it gave Darcie comfort.

There was a slight pause on the other end of the line.

"Holy shit, Darcie. Is that you?" Kim asked genuinely surprised.

"It's me, Kimmie. How are you?"

Kim laughed.

"Forget me! How are you? I haven't heard from you in what? Two and a half years?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry about that. Listen, I know it's random but I need help and you're the only person I know who might still care enough to help me."

"Name it."

It took Darcie about twenty minutes to explain the predicament she was in. Kim let out a loud whistle on the other line.

"I knew he was slime. Didn't I tell you he was slime? Something just wasn't right with him," Kim growled in one breath.

"Can you help?" Darcie asked, knowing she could-- Hoping she'd say she would.

Kim sighed.

"I'll have everything you need by morning. Meet me at my office at nine AM sharp."

"Same place?"

Darcie had been to Kim's office once before they lost contact. Harold had fought her about going to her friends opening, but Darcie didn't back down. When she got home that night, Harold beat her for the first time.