Everything Fragile✔

Chapter Four - I Staple Myself To You Without Even Knowing

   "Hey! I don't know what the hell you think you're doing, but you need to get the hell out of here! We're doing an open investigation."

   Officer Hank is seething while Mr. Gonzalez remains an unmoving mass of indifference. "Have you forgotten who I am?"

   "No, I haven't, Caleb. Though, I'd like to remind you that you're not above the law. We're interviewing the witness."

   "From what I saw, you were interviewing who I can presume to be the father." He takes the empty seat at the foot of my bed. "However, I suppose it doesn't really matter. My family and I have already decided that we will be using private investigators to handle this. Your services are no longer needed. Please, close the door on your way out, gentlemen."

   Officer Hank looks like he has a few words to say to the rich bastard, but something holds him back. I'm almost surprised when he and his partner leave.

   Following their departure, the room is engulfed in a weighted silence. Dad stands off to the left, intimidated no more than I am in the presence of a man with power. Last year, Kingston News declared Caleb González the leading stockholder in our town's history. He's got his finger in Marina, another in the gun shop next to the grocery store by Cite Bank, and he's a leading executive in dad's job. Let's not forget the other bazillion businesses in both Kingston and Creaksterville that he's funded and invested in.

   "Can I just say that I am honestly impressed." Caleb says, smiling with a warmth in his eyes that's completely contrary to the intense aura he gave off when he first walked into my room just moments earlier.

   I gulp, sneaking a glance at dad who looks like he's gone pale despite his dark complexion before returning my gaze back to Caleb. "Uh, w-what are you impressed about exactly?"

   "Well, you. Really, I would've never imagined in a million years that a girl not even out of high school would put their life on the line to protect my family." He turns to look at dad over his shoulder. "It truly amazes me how the kids of today continue to rise above expectations. Am I right, sir?"

   Dad blinks, slow to react. Finally, he nods his head. "R-right."

   Valerie joins her father's side, placing her hand on his shoulder. "She was amazing, daddy. You should've seen her-"

   She cuts off when he slams his hand down on hers. "We did see it. Don't you remember, honey? On the security camera."

   Valerie blinks and takes a step back. "Right, yes. I wish I could've seen it in-person though."

   Caleb chuckles softly before returning his gaze to me. His gaze is steady and I'm not able to decipher what exactly is running through his head, but I know it's something pertaining to Mateo because he looks down at the paper in my hand and I quickly slip it back underneath my pillow.

   "So, have you spoken to my nephew?"

   He knows I have, but I'm not sure why he's being so subtle; like he's tip-toeing around words that he wants to say. I don't know what game he's playing, but I'm smart enough to know to follow in his lead.

   "Yes. He came in earlier to thank me. Also," I say, shifting my gaze to Valerie. "I'm sorry for your loss."

   She frowns, letting the warmth that once lined her face drop away, revealing the pain that hid beneath her mask. She just nods and for a moment I feel guilty for bringing it up; for reminding her about a pain that'll never go away.

   "Andrew was a good kid." Caleb says, shaking his head. "He was only twenty years old."

   "We get it." Dad says, gulping down whatever memory the mention of death brought to his mind. "My wife died a few months ago. It's not easy, the emptiness that comes with loss."

   I look down at my hands because I can't bear seeing the watery eyes of everyone in this room. I don't want to think about death. I don't want to think about anything that has to do with it because if I do, it'll bring up things that I've been trying to keep suppressed for months.

   "So, what exactly are you here for?" I ask a bit harsher than I intended to, desperate to change the subject.

   Caleb's smile looks forced. "Well, I wanted to thank the girl who saved my daughter's life personally."

   "You're welcome."

   "Hmm, right. Well," he says, standing suddenly. "I hope my nephew gave you the gift I instructed him to."

   "Gift?" Dad questions.

   "A necklace." I lie quickly.

   Caleb pauses, looking back and forth between dad and I while Valerie stands by his side, confused. They both know that I was given a check and that's not something I'm willing to tell dad right now or ever, really. 

   "Yes." Caleb says slowly, locking his gaze with mine. He's pieced it together and I can't tell if he's shocked anymore or just proud. Either way, he's not letting anything slip. "The necklace. I hope it was to your liking."

   "It was. I told him to hold it for me until I'm allowed to go home."

   He's smiling, beaming really and the sight pisses me off. "I'll be sure that he returns it to you as soon as you've been discharged."

   "Thank you."

   "Until then, we'll be on our way. It was nice meeting you, miss…"

   It takes me a moment to realize that he's asking for my name. I just assumed that he already knew it. "Delco. Quince Delco."

   "I have a feeling this won't be the last time we'll be seeing each other." He says over his shoulder before slipping through the door with Valerie at his heels.

   I grind my teeth at his words, hoping that not to be true because I have no doubt that the next time we see each other, he'll be expecting something from me. Afterall, he did cover up the fact that I was given a million dollar check and I'm pretty sure that's not something people do for free. Especially not a businessman like him.