Saving Mercy
Page 26
It took three more tries before the kid eventually spit out the entire password.
“The tech department wasn’t kidding. This password is a monster.”
No. This isn’t happening. “Who talked? Someone is setting me up.”
“You talked.”
“I didn’t say anything!” the kid yelled.
Xander felt the smile split open his face, felt the skin on his right cheek stretch in a way that wasn’t familiar. Life didn’t hold much amusement for him, but he always savored the moment when some asshole finally realized he’d been bested and was going to be sent on an extended vacation to criminal central.
Pushing back from the table, Xander got up and headed for the door. He stopped, hand on the handle, and turned back to the kid. “You come up with a creative insult yet?”
The kid leaned forward and smacked his forehead against the table. No. No. No.
“Guess not.”
As Xander opened the door, a million sounds rushed his ears at once. A toilet flushing, typing, the hum and bump of the air conditioner, conversations—too many conversations. Sensory overload was imminent. The only question was how long before his brain shorted out, unleashing the Bastard in His Brain—that thing he always felt lurking in the darkest depths of his mind. When the Bastard took the wheel, there was no such thing as a happy ending.
He needed to leave. Now.
But Kent and Thomas, who’d been watching the interview, waited in the hallway.
He passed the notepad to Thomas, who sprinted down the corridor to get the names and password to the cyber division.
“Why the fuck was there talking during my interrogation?”
Kent gave him the same disapproving, annoyed, disgusted look he’d been giving him since Xander bloodied the guy’s nose in the first grade.
Bam. Pain bounced inside his skull. Xander flinched. Goddamned tuning-in. “Quit with the look.” They’d never been friends. Still weren’t.
You’re such an asshole. Acting like you’re the only one working here. “Do you always have to be such a dick about us? The superintendent was watching.” Kent headed in the same direction as Xander—toward the exit. You need to make a decision about Camille.
“The superintendent was the one talking. You pushed me to work here. You pushed them to hire me. You got a fat-assed bonus out of it. So if you, or the superintendent, don’t like what I do, stop calling me. And what I do with Camille is none of your business.”
“Keep your freak self outta my head.”
“Only way to make it stop is by not talking to me.” Outside of work, Xander mastered in social isolation and conversation avoidance.
“Come on, man. She’s my sister. We may not be real close, but I care about her. I’m not letting this go.” You’re using her.
Xander’s neck got hot. He didn’t argue with Kent’s thoughts. He couldn’t. The man was right. Camille never rejected him, never made demands on him, but she wanted commitment. He got that from tuning in to her thoughts. All he wanted was acceptance and uncomplicated sex.
The conversation lagged, and the pain vanished.
Xander exited the building. Low on the horizon, all that remained of the day was a single tiger stripe of orange. Already the June night was in full chorus. The whistle screech of a bat using its sonar-like system, the flutter of its wings overhead. The buzz of a trillion mosquitoes. The bass of a bullfrog two blocks away at the Sundew Park pond. Life pulsed all around him.
When he couldn’t sleep, he’d lie in bed with the window open—listening, just listening. Not letting himself think, just focusing on the rhythm of the world. The sounds of nature were the only form of music he could tolerate.
He fished his truck keys from his pocket and pressed the unlock button.
“The superintendent is probably going to need you again tomorrow,” Kent called from the doorway.
“Tell him to call me.” Xander tossed the words over his shoulder.
“You going to answer the phone?” Bet you don’t.
“Bet you’re right.”
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Acknowledgments
Dan—Those two words, thank you, always seem so paltry in comparison to what you’ve given me. You’ve given me this life that I share with you. You’ve given me unconditional love. And you’ve given me your support. Those things are priceless, and mere words can never express the breadth and depth of the gratitude I feel that you’ve chosen me to be your wife.
Brinda Berry—Thanks for putting up with me, being there for me, and always knowing the answer to every question I ask. You really are one of the smartest people I know. I’m so happy you’ve been there to help me through this whole process. I love being your friend and critique partner. And I owe you a super special thank-you for writing “Courage in the Blood.” Your songs are always brilliant—just like your books.
Michelle Grajkowski—My super awesome agent lady. Your constant support means the world to me. I’m so happy to be working with you.
Deb Werksman—Thanks so much for trusting my vision and not freaking out when I wouldn’t tell you about this book and made you read it instead.
Celeste Easton, Jenn Windrow, Christina Delay—Thanks, ladies, for reading the first draft of the opening of Saving Mercy. Your input is what helped put this story on the right track.
Amy Noland—You have no idea how much easier you’ve made my life! Thanks so much for doing all you do for me. I truly appreciate it.
Sourcebooks—There are so many people working behind the scenes that I’ve never met and never heard of, but you know who you are and I want you to know how thankful I am for all you do. A big thanks goes to Diane Dannenfeldt, Susie Benton, Laura Costello, Emily Chiarelli, and Rachel Gilmer. Thanks, Beth Sochacki, for all you do to get my books out into the big wide world. And a giant-sized thank-you to Dawn Adams and Kris Keller for making the absolute best covers for all my books. You guys rock!
You—As a new author, you mean everything to me. The fact that you read this book brings joy to my writer’s heart! Thanks so much! Be sure to stay tuned for book three in the Fatal Dreams series and books two and three in the Fatal Truth series.
About the Author
Abbie Roads is a mental health counselor known for her blunt, honest style of therapy. By night she writes dark, emotional novels, always giving her characters the happy ending she wishes for all her clients. Her novels have been finalists in RWA contests including the Golden Heart. Saving Mercy is the first book in her new Fatal Truth series of dark, gritty romantic suspense with a psychological twist.
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