Chapter 11
Chapter 11
My boss was escorted into the police car. Pale–faced and frail, she seemed nothing like the figure I had imagined.
Behind me, Lloyd had already changed into his clothes and stood quietly.
“Who would’ve thought?” he said, his voice carrying a mix of disbelief and curiosity. “Is this really related to that health report?”
I didn’t elaborate, but that report had indeed been a turning point. “Yeah. And honestly, I should thank you. You’ve helped me twice now.”
Lloyd laughed, a relaxed, warm sound, and waved it off.
“There’s no need for thanks. After all, I still owe you for helping my brother.”
Only then did I remember–his younger brother had been sick, and I’d introduced them to a renowned orthopedic doctor, even booking an appointment. I had no idea how his brother was doing now.
I mimicked his casual gesture. “No thanks needed. But by my count, you still owe me one!”
The middle–aged officer approached, his expression calm but purposeful. “Ready to go? I can give you a ride back.
I almost agreed but remembered I’d driven here.
“I’ll follow you in my car,” I said.
Before I could grab my keys, Lloyd took them.
“I came here by cab,” he explained. “I’ll drive. You should rest.”
I relented and climbed into the passenger seat.
Under the rhythmic play of flickering streetlights, my exhaustion overwhelmed me. Sleep came swiftly, and my dreams were a tangled mess of shadows and pursuit.
When my phone buzzed, I jolted awake. It was my best friend.
“How are you? I couldn’t sleep at all, worrying about you.”
I forced a smile she couldn’t see. “I’m fine now. Don’t worry anymore.”
“Where are you?”
Ahead of us, a twenty–four–hour service area came into view, its dim glow cutting through the darkness.
“We just reached a rest stop. Go to bed. I’ll call you when I get home.”
After hanging up, I turned to Lloyd. “I need to use the restroom. Can you pull over?”
