“I dunno. You tell me. He doesn’t talk much.”
“He seems troubled.” Harmony said simply.
Arrow nodded in agreement.
As silence fell between them and the only sound came from the curtains rustling as the heat began to blow into the room from the floor register. The room smelled old and she realized that this place was probably authentically old and not just manufactured to look that way. It was rare to see something that was actually old. Everybody was always striving for new.
Arrow didn’t seem to struggle to be authentic. “Well, I better get back to my job and let you get back to yours.”
“Oh, right.” She bolted up from the couch and leaned down to grab her supplies. “What job are you doing?”
“Top secret I’m afraid. Otherwise, I’d tell you.” Arrow said apologetically.
“Oh, right.” Harmony felt hurt but she tried to remind herself that he had been so open with her already. This one thing didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. She bustled to the exit and was followed by Arrow whose eyebrows were knitted together in an apology.
“So, goodbye.” Harmony lifted three fingers from her cleaning caddy to wave slightly and Arrow rushed around to open the door for her. “Thanks.”
“Have a good day, Harmony.”
She didn’t want to look into his face but her eyes were drawn to his. They were crinkled in a smile that melted her insides. “You too.” She mumbled and hurried away.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
THE DAY ARRIVED when Pat, Zion, and Clive were going to take a trip to examine the anomaly in the skies. In spite of himself, Pat was hopeful they would find clues to finding his wife. As they waited for Clive, Zion reviewed some of the trip details.
“I wish Rachel could come with us but she is at a women’s retreat this week. We’ll need to record whatever we find and bring it back to show her.”
Pat nodded absentmindedly. He kept thinking of Justice. The excitement that Zion had about his wife reminded him of his own joy when he got married. A lot of couples they knew complained about spending excessive amounts of time together, but Pat and Justice worked together and spent most of their downtime together. That’s why her absence was felt much more strongly. His insides had collapsed in on themselves when she was taken because she filled every void.
“Where is Clive?” Zion asked finally, sounding a little put out.
“I’m not sure.” Pat admitted.
“Well, if he isn’t here in five more minutes, we’ll go on without him.” Zion said, still with a smile on his face.
Pat shrugged. “Sounds good.”
Five minutes passed and he still hadn’t arrived so Zion climbed into the driver’s side of the car and Pat slid into the passenger’s seat.
“His loss. You all aren’t being paid or court-ordered to be here so I give you much more leeway.”
“Of course.” Pat nodded. He was relieved he wouldn’t have to handle Clive’s pompous attitude on this trip.
The tinkling sound of a piano wafted from the radio and cool air blasted through the vents blowing Pat’s fluffy hair back off his forehead.
“If you want to turn the AC down, feel free. I tend to be hot-natured.” Zion chuckled.
“Okay.” Pat turned it down and closed the vent nearest to the passenger window.
Patrick Sherwood would have been fine if that had been the extent of their conversation, but he knew he wouldn’t be getting off that easy with Zion who seemed to like to talk.
Once they had driven through the gate, Zion said, “So, tell me about yourself.”
Pat waited for more to follow this statement, but when nothing did he said, “What would you like to know?”
Zion continued to stare at the road ahead as he said, “Well, obviously, the general public pretends to know more about you than they actually do. I just assume most of what is in the news is exaggerated.” Zion glanced at Pat out of the corner of his eyes.
“You are right about that.” Pat couldn’t help agreeing. “I am not the sorry orphan of Owen Sherwood. I think they exaggerated the level of grief I was experiencing when he passed.”
Zion did not respond to this as he turned the car onto the highway.
“I was an adult when he passed so I doubt that classifies me as an orphan.” Pat laughed at his own joke but Zion was still allowing Pat room to speak, which was not something he was used to. “So, I work at Sherwood Servers as the CEO and I live alone.” Pat shrugged to conceal the lie. He could visualize the disappointed face of Justice as he denied her existence. “I barely know Zion.” Pat muttered, hoping Justice would hear him.
“Do you like working in the tech business?” Zion asked, seemingly unaware that Pat had just spoken to Justice out loud.
“Uh…as much as one can.”
Zion made a noise to show he was still listening.
“I am not sure it is my niche.” Pat conceded.
“That’s okay. You’re honoring your father by maintaining his life’s work.”
“I did not think about it that way.” Pat said honestly.
Zion smiled. “It’s hard to see the positive in our own lives.” He left the highway and turned right onto a small country road next. “Look.” He pointed straight ahead.
Pat looked at where he was pointing and could see a slight sliver on the horizon. “How long do you think it will take for us to get there?”
