Is This True?

Chapter 16

~One week later~

"I'm so glad to see you."

I got a hug from behind before almost instantly jumping again. After what happened at the mall, it seemed like whenever I heard a noise or when something or someone touched me, I freaked out. I guess it would just take me a while to get used to again. Like always.

"Sorry, Jenn."

Denise apologized when I faced her.
"I didn't mean to startle you. I'm just so glad to see you up and around, you know? I mean, I did visit you at the hospital, but it wasn't like you were awake and free to speak."

"It's all right." I gave her a reassuring smile. "I completely understand."

"Yeah, you really did scare me last week with the mall going completely under lockdown. That--Robert guy did swing some threats at you and anyone else that tried to rescue the building. What I don't understand is--how did he manage to do so many things all at once. Maybe he wasn't working alone."

"I don't know either. He seemed to be at several places at once, but you know, that's impossible."

"Maybe he has a twin." Denise offered some insight.

"Well, he told me though that he doesn't have any family. He said they were dead."

"And you believed him?" Denise raised her eyebrows at me, "with what all we know, he could be lying about everything. About who he is, what he says, and why he did what he did. You know? You can't trust criminals."

Robert was right. I was gullible.

"I'm sorry, I guess, I just wasn't prepared for what happened. I showed too much concern for the well-being of the people that I didn't even watch out for any signs of distrust. But, I don't have to worry about that anymore because yet again, I'm off the case. The second one so far in less than a month."

Denise gave me a small smile before I continued, "Is that bad? It is, isn't it?" I asked when she didn't answer right away. "Do you think I'll be fired soon? I mean, I am not much help. I almost got myself killed! Then I'll have to find another job and maybe move away--"

"Jenn." Denise placed her hands on my shoulders to calm me. "Stop panicking. Everything is going to be okay. I already hear Mr. Woods has another case for you and this time, I think it's located in a nearby state. Nebraska maybe? We work with them as well."

"Wait, so I'll have to travel? I can't be gone too long! My friend's wedding is at the end of this week and I can't miss it. And--I'd hate to take more time off than I already had been."

My life stunk right now.

"Stupid mall shootout."

"Hey, it would have happened if you were there or not." Denise reminded me," and besides, you weren't alone."

"Yeah, Scott was there," I recall the fearful event.

"Didn't he try to rescue you or something?"

I gave her a wary look,"--yes?"

"Well, it was rumored by several witnesses, but he won't talk about it so--" Denise shrugged her shoulders, "I actually haven't seen him at all since it happened. I think he left to travel off somewhere. Don't know where though."

Weird.

"Oh." I lowered my head. "I see."

"Yeah--" Denise gave me a strange look, but we both walked off in different directions, ending the conversation. After all, I had to go talk with Mr. Woods and see what this new case was all about. I just hope it wasn't far and hoped it wasn't too long because if it was, I might miss Chelsea's wedding. And I knew, she would be rather upset about that.