Tori sat in the passenger seat, peering through the window as Javi drove back to the airport. He kept shooting her sidelong glances, but didn’t speak, allowing her the quiet. At least for now.
“Thanks,” she murmured.
“Hmm?”
"For not pestering me… I didn't mean to go off alone this time," she added, glancing at him.
He sighed, but forced a quick smile and a nod.
They settled into silence again as she peered out the window. Arty was in custody. His computer at his workstation had provided more than enough evidence to arrest. The indictment would follow.
She shifted, her cheek pressed against the glass.
The passing scenery blurred as the car sped towards the airport. Tori's mind was a tempest of thoughts, memories of the recent events swirling around her like ghosts of the past. Arty's face, contorted in rage and defeat, haunted her vision. But beyond him, there was another specter that lingered in the shadows of her mind – the reason behind all this chaos, the unanswered questions surrounding her brother's death.
As they neared the airport, Javi finally broke the silence. "You did good back there," he said, his voice gruff with restrained emotion.
Tori turned to him, gratitude and weariness reflected in her stormy eyes. "Thank you for trusting me," she whispered.
Javi's grip tightened on the steering wheel as if seeking solace in its solidity. "I… I wasn't fully honest with you before."
She shot him a glance.
“When you asked why I was off… I said I wasn’t. Not completely true.”
“What’s wrong?”
He sighed, rubbing a hand through his hair. “My sister is getting a divorce… I think she might move. Taking my nephew and niece out of state.”
Tori winced. “Oh, Javi. Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry into something personal.”
“No, it’s fine… really.”
“I know how close you are with them.”
Javi just leaned back, closing his eyes. “Sometimes I wonder if… if I made the wrong choice. Pursuing the job over… you know, a family.”
“I see.” Tori wasn’t sure what to say to this. “Are you thinking of… changing careers?”
Javi just shrugged. “I don’t know what I’m thinking.”
Tori felt a pang of fear at this, and it took her a second to realize why. Slowly, she said, “Well… I hope you know I need you. Here, I mean.”
He shot her a look, forcing a quick smile and a nod. “Family is… it isn’t everything, but it’s a big part of lots of things.”
The airport loomed ahead, a gateway back to the familiar.
She pulled her phone from her pocket.
She’d tarried long enough.
She needed to call him. Needed the closure… needed… to hear his voice. She sighed, summoning more courage than any she’d exhibited up to this point. And then she pressed dial.