“This—”I began, before being interrupted by Rosie's own introduction, as she said,“Mr. Brodie, I'm Rosalynn, Alec's friend.”
Shewalked over with her palm extended and Dad accepted graciously, bowing to kissthe back of her hand. He stood up straight, wearing a grin, and grasped herfingers between both of his shaky hands, and said, “It's lovely to meet ye,lass.” Then, he glanced at me with a wink and said, “She's a bonnie one,isnaeshe?”
Asmy eyes met hers, I watched as her cheekspinkedbeneath the harsh fluorescent glow of the overhead light, and I gave my headthe slightest bob as I replied, “Aye, Dad. That, she is.”
Hegrunted an approving sound, then hurried to microwave two more cans of stew.Rosie helped to collect the bowls and spoons, while I cleaned his morningcoffee cup from the table. Then, before we sat to eat, Dad excused himself touse the toilet, granting Rosie the opportunity to ask the question that'd beenburning against her lips since we'd arrived.
“Whydidn't we go straight back to Rick's?”
Withmy eyes on the bathroom door, I fought against an unexpected wave of emotion,and said, “Because if this is my last chance to see my father, I want him toremember mebein' happy, even if he only gets to keepthat memory for a little while.”
***
Later,after enjoying a meal with my father, I brought Rosie back to the house andchanged into more comfortable clothes. A sweatshirt and pants would be easierto move in, if a fight should occur, and I’d be more likely to keep up withFinley, if he should run.
Icaught a glimpse of the mirror beside my bedroom door and asked my reflectionaloud, “Imagine this is the last outfit ye ever get to wear. Are ye okay if yediewearin’ these clothes?”
Hehad nothing to say to that.
Rickcame down the hall from his study, just as I closed my bedroom door, and stoppedme from approaching the staircase.
“Whatis it?” I asked, as I made sure I had my mobile and keys.
“Yedinnaehave to do this,” he said, with his concernfor me written plainly in his eyes. “I told ye, call Edinburgh or Inverness. Gosomewhere thatisnaeFort Crow. Youdinnaehave to be the one to—”
“Everythin' isgonnabe fine,” Iinsisted, pushing the sleeves of my sweatshirt to my elbows. “Finley's known mefor a while. He's notgonna—”
“Butyedinnaebelieve that, do ye? Ye're as afraid as therest of us are, and Alec, that'sfine. Ye're allowed to be scared.” Heswallowed and shook his head. “Yedinnaehave to bethe fuckin' hero, mate.”
Hisfear rattled at my heart, making it race with every warning he wasn't saying. Imade an attemptto calm myself with a deep breath anda casual smile, as I put my hand on his shoulder and gripped tightly.
“Yedinnaehave to worry about me,” I insisted. “Nothin' isgonnahappen. We'rehavin' a drink, that's all.”
Rickshook his head again, unable to hide the tears that glinted from behind hisglasses. “I've lost too many people, Alec. I don’twannalose ye, too.”
“I'mgonnabefine,” I said a final time, hoping he'dbelieve it if I said it enough. But, in case I wasn't, I pulled him into a hugand gripped tightly to his sweater, remembering all thetimeshe'd been there when no one else was. I considered thanking him, for being thebrother I never had and the best friend I always needed, but I thought betterof it. It'd only make him worry more than he already was, and I hated to makeRick worry.
“I'llsee ye in themornin',” I told him. Then, with afinal clap against his shoulder, I let him go and ran down the stairs, to findRosie waiting in the foyer.
Shestood beside the door; in the very spot we had taken each other just the nightbefore. Her fingers were twisting around themselves like a nervous littlebundle of snakes, and when she saw me step onto the tiled floor, she lifted hereyes to mine and bit her bottom lip with a tremendous amount of worry.
“It'salmost over, Rosie,” I told her quietly, moving slowly to stand before her.
“Iknow,” she whispered. “I just …”
Shestopped herself from speaking to give her head a hearty shake and pressed hereyes shut. I took her elbow in my hand and demanded she look at me with agentle squeeze.
“Saywhat ye need to say.”
Hereyes lifted to the chandelier overhead, as she replied, “I don't want to saygoodbye to you, and this feels like a goodbye. Like you're going to walk outthat door and not come back, and that's going to be on me. I can't live withthat. It's bad enough I have to live with—”
“Stop,”I commanded, giving her elbow another squeeze. “Yedinnaehave to say goodbye, okay? Thisisnaegoodbye. Justwish me luck, that's all yehaftaedo.”
Rosie'seyes met mine and damn near broke my heart with a crushing amount of pain andgrief. Those eyes reminded me of why exactly I never should have given in to mydesperate need to know herbetter, orbe with her. Herheart had already been through too much, and if I were to never see the lightof day again, I knew my passing would only add to her pain. Yet, I felt noregret, as I stared too long, waiting for her reply. There was no room forregret with the abundant amount of gratitude pumping through my veins andfilling my heart.
“Goodluck, Inspector Brodie,” she whispered, but not before hiccupping on a gentlesob.
Unableto help myself, I grasped her face between my palms and thrust my mouth againsthers before another sob could pass through her lips. I kissed her hard anddeep, tangling my fingers through her hair and tasting her sadness on mytongue, praying it wouldn't be the last time and thanking God that there everwas a first. Then, I let her go before I could make the decision to stay,knowing I'd stay forever and never see Finley brought to justice, and hurriedto the door.
