Hard Choices pt 2

I'd just finished a long all-nighter. There had been an important banquet last night that had gone well into the wee hours of the morning, and we'd spent the rest of the morning cleaning up.

I'd snagged an hour of sleep before starting my car, figuring that would make the drive home a tad safer.

Groggily forcing my eyes open, I stared out the window as rain droplets trailed down it. The skies had opened since I'd fallen asleep.

I placed my fingertips up against the glass, its cold temperature waking me a little more.

I sighed as I gazed absently at the puddles forming in the uneven parking lot, rain pelting them mercilessly. I could relate.

It had been a week to the day since my coffee shop encounter with Sheri and Randall.

It had shaken me.

Not a day went by where I didn't think about Sheri. Didn't wrack my brain to find a way out of this mess.

My eyes drifted down to my phone, which was sitting in the center console.

I picked it up and called Josh.

"Hey! How's it going?" My older brother's cheerful voice answered.

"Not so great. Can I come over?" I began drumming my fingers on the steering wheel.

"Of course," His tone sobered. "what's wrong? Are you OK?"

"Yeah, yeah, I- I'm fine. I just... need to talk, you know?"

"You know I do."

I smiled.

"Great. See you in ten?"

"See you then."

***

The gravel crunched as I pulled into the parking lot of Josh's apartment building.

I got out of my car and headed inside, greeted comfortably by the warm indoor climate. A welcome relief after spending the last hour and a half in my car in the rain.

I got in the elevator, ascended to the second story, and knocked on door number 212.

Josh opened it almost immediately and ushered me inside.

"You want some coffee?"

"Yes, please, that sounds wonderful."

He chuckled as he led me into the kitchen.

"I figured. You're always exhausted the morning after a banquet..." He took a moment to get a look at me as he filled the electric kettle with water.

"You look wrecked Maddie."

"Thanks." I chuckled dryly. He put the lid on the kettle and placed it on its stand and flipped the switch.

His eyes creased with concern and he tilted his head to the side.

"Come on." He guided me to the living room and began clearing a space for me on his couch, shoving papers and folders aside, and stacking some up on the end table.

"Here." He motioned to the newly opened seat. I sat in it and he draped a blanket over me.

Then the kettle switched off.

"Be right back." He went back into the kitchen.

I cuddled closer into the blanket and glanced around at the modest apartment.

From the curtains to the wallpaper to the carpet, the entire room spoke of a bachelor who had only what he needed to function with. Fully stocked kitchen, of course, but as for everything else... He was basically fine with whatever. I laughed a little and shook my head. That was my brother alright.

Then I noticed the papers. They had names and addresses... perhaps they had something to do with tenants.

The tantalizing aroma of fresh coffee turned my head toward the kitchen.

I saw Josh coming out with two steaming mugs of joe.

"Just the way you like it." He said, handing one of them to me and sitting down beside me.

I took a sip. I smiled.

"Strong and black. You know how to do it." We laughed.

"Now," He began, "what's going on? I mean, not that I don't appreciate a visit from my baby sister, but you gotta admit, this is a bit out of the ordinary."

"Yeah, I guess it is." I tried to chuckle, but it didn't work. "I don't know what to do." My voice broke and I told him everything.

All the emotions and hurt and anger that I'd been holding back for the last week came rushing out in the form of blubbering tears.

By the time I finished my story, the trash can was full of tissues, my coffee was spent, and so was I.

Josh sat in silence with me for a moment, hands cradling his mug.

"So you're stuck. If you talk, you're ruined. If you don't, she's ruined."

"Pretty much."

He stared off into the distance for a moment. He frowned.

"Isn't it illegal? What this Randall guy is doing?"

"Probably. I mean, it's stealing, right? But I've got no way to prove it. It's his word against mine."

He nodded absently.

Turning to look at me, he propped his right elbow up on the back of the couch, hand in his hair. With his left hand still holding his mug, he made such a comical picture, it was hard not to laugh.

"I might know a guy," He began, "who... may be of assistance."

"You've piqued my interest." I sat up a little straighter.

"Well, you know I do the landlording for the guy who owns this place, but... he has another employee that most people don't know about. A private detective. He uses him to check out prospective tenants. You know, background checks, and all that. Over this last little while of working with him myself, we've struck up a sort of... friendship. He tells me about his work, no names of course, and about how he helps attorneys sometimes get information about who they're going up against in court. He's helped put some bad guys away. Maybe he could... help you too."

A light bulb went off in my mind. This could be the answer!

Then reality hit.

"I can't afford that, Josh. And even if I could... it's too risky. What if it doesn't work, and we get caught?"

"First of all, cost isn't an issue. Dan's told me a few times that if I ever needed anything, just to call him. On the house. I'm sure that extends to my baby sister too." He gave me a playful nudge.

"But seriously, it's your choice. He's good at what he does, trust me. I'm sure the two of you could work something out."

I considered it. It just might work. It was worth a shot anyway.

"How do I get in touch with him?"

Josh grinned.

"Here." He got up and grabbed a scrap of paper off the counter. "He gave me one of his business cards a while back."

He handed it to me.

Dan Rodrigo, Private Eye

907-741-9302

1520 Cohoe Ct, Soldotna

"Thanks." I say, a bit uncertain now.

"Of course." He took my mug from me and headed back into the kitchen.

I stood up and joined him.

"Thank you, Josh. For everything."

"What are brothers for?" He gave me a hug, and I melted into him. Ever since our dad died, he's been my rock. He's been my guy.

"You should probably get going, before Dan gets too busy to talk." He offered, breaking the embrace.

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea." I smiled, and headed out the door after we said our goodbyes.

***

I got back into my car and pulled out to the highway. I could go right and just go home. But turning left would take me to Soldotna. To the only person who might be able to help me.