Page 69 of Justice II

She had every right to be pissed. I had put her out without giving her much of a chance to explain anything. But I couldn’t fix shit with her sending every call to voicemail.

I got out and headed upstairs.

The woman behind the front desk looked up when I came through the door.

“Can I help you?”

“I need to speak to the owner.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“Tell her Justice Banks is here.”

She reached for the phone, watching me while she pressed a button. I stood at the desk until she finished announcing me.

“Have a seat. She’ll be with you in a moment.”

I stayed where I was.

An office door opened farther down the hall. Aubrey stepped out, took one look at me, then glanced at the woman behind the desk.

“You can come back.”

I followed her into the office. She closed the door before turning around.

“Where’s Melody?”

“Why?”

“I’ve been calling her. She ain’t answering.”

“Can you blame her?”

“You want to cuss me out, get it out your system. Then tell me where she is.”

She folded her arms.

“You really hurt her.”

“I know.”

“I don’t think you do.”

“Look, we both fucked up. And as far as I’m concerned you’re complicit. I trusted this company to send me a reputable caretaker. I trusted you to vet her and you didn’t. Or maybe you helped her with her lie. Which is it?”

She bit down on her bottom lip and looked to the side.

“When I found out the truth I ain’t run to the media. I ain’t try to sabotage your company. I let her go and that was a mistake. But don’t sit up here actin’ all high and mighty. Help me find her. Is she at a job? If so, I’ll wait til she gets off and pick her up.”

Aubrey started to pace the floor. She shook her head as if she were trying to knock the truth back down her throat.

“Aubrey. Where is she?” I asked again. This time my voice went stone cold.

Her mouth tightened. She reached for a tissue on her desk. Her eyes filled.

What the fuck?

“What’s wrong?”