Breach of Trust

96

Five o’clock the following day. I’d just returned from my second run of the day, the first taking place in the morning-a 10K, give or take-this follow-up shorter but more punishing. But still good, the cleansing from the cold fresh air and sweat and adrenaline.

Essie Ramirez was standing at my front door. Still with that sky-blue puffy coat, but this time no hat. Her silky hair was pulled back into a ponytail.

When she saw me, her expression eased but she didn’t smile.

Inside, I helped her out of her coat, smelling her shampoo as her ponytail brushed against my mouth.

She turned to me. She was dressed in a blue suit, nothing fancy but formfitting, and her form was fit.

She looked up into my eyes, not faltering for a second. She put a hand on my cheek. A jolt of electricity ran through me.

“I’m ready,” she whispered.

I didn’t move, but internally, it was a different story. I felt a barrier break down, but I didn’t know what to do about it.

Those wondrous dark eyes narrowed slightly. “But you’re not. Did you lose your way, Jason Kolarich?”

I put my hand on hers. I was pretty sure I’d lost the map altogether.

“I told my children today that they caught the man who killed their father. And I told them that in catching him, they caught a lot of other people who were doing very bad things.”

Her eyes glistened with tears, but she didn’t falter. This was one strong woman.

“Something good came of it,” she said. “Something always does.”

I held my breath. I didn’t know what to say or think.

She removed her hand from my cheek. She nodded as if something had been decided. Then she grabbed her coat and walked out the door.