Grant protests loudly, but even he can sense the room shifting under him. “This is ridiculous, ” he mutters, grabbing his jacket. “Let’s go, guys. ” His friends follow, though Ryan lingers a half second longer than the rest. His eyes meet Josie’s for just a moment before he turns away.
Something passes between them. Neither says anything about it. Not yet. Once the five of them clear out, the diner exhales as one. Rosie hurries over, hands shaking.
Josie, I am so sorry. I never wanted. I know, Josie says gently. You didn’t have a choice. I always have a choice, Rosie says.
I just made the wrong one today. Addie crosses the room and pulls her sister into a tight hug. Neither of them says a word for a long moment. When they finally step back, Addie studies her sister’s face carefully. “You look tired, ” she says.
“I am tired, ” Josie admits. “But I’m okay. I promise. You didn’t have to come, ” Josie adds quietly. “I had it handled.
” “You always say that, ” Addie says. “And you’re always wrong about it. ” I’m not wrong this time. I was one signature away from being fired. Or worse.
Addie says that sheriff had cuffs on you, Josie. I know. I felt them. Don’t joke about it. I’m not joking, Josie says softly.
I just don’t know another way to sit with it. Addie reaches over and takes her sister’s hand. The way she used to when they were kids, scared of thunderstorms. We do this together from here, she says. No more solo missions.
I’ve been doing it alone a long time, Josie admits. Because it felt safer that way for both of us. Maybe, Addie says. Or maybe you just got used to carrying it by yourself. Dad would have wanted us doing this side by side, not you out front, me chasing paperwork behind you.
Josie is quiet for a moment, looking at their joined hands. Okay, she finally says together. Together, Addie repeats, squeezing once before letting go. The two sisters step outside a while later, away from curious eyes. They sit on the curb near Addie’s car, same as they did as kids.
“You could have told me the plan wasn’t going smoothly, ” Addie says. It was going exactly the way these things always go. Slow. Slow. Almost got you arrested today.
I had it handled. Josie repeats. Softer this time. Addie sigh, leaning her head back against the car door. I got assigned to this district 3 weeks ago, she says.
I’ve been building a file on Whitmore construction the whole time. Fraud complaints, land disputes, a few things that don’t add up. I know. Josie says that’s part of why I came here first. I wanted to see them up close before you showed up with a badge.
