-Cheryl-

Reed is calling Todd, and I'm sitting beside Reed. He's still holding my hand. He hasn't released it since he took it in the kitchen and led me to the couch. We listen together as Todd's phone rings.

Todd answers, "It is about fucking time."

I look at Reed, and he rolls his eyes. "Todd. I don't know what the hell is wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me? I'll tell you what is wrong with me. You believe Patty's lies over me, your best friend," he retorts.

"I 100% believe that I was drugged. I have my fucking receipt. I only had three beers and no whiskey. There was no reason for you to have had to carry my ass out of the bar. Not to mention that Patty drove all the way here with a black eye that she said you gave her to let Cheryl know that I wasn't lying to her. You need help, man." Reed replied angrily.

"So you're saying that you believe some whore before me. Your friend since grade school, your fucking brother," he yelled back at Reed.

I cringe at the way he's talking about Patty.

Reed replies calmly, "I'm saying that you have acted like an asshole ever since Cheryl and I got together."

Todd shouts, "She ruined our friendship, Reed. Can't you see that? It's all her fault that this all happened in the first place. She's the problem, not me."

Reed's voice rises, "She's my family, my number one priority, and because of your crazy actions, we are through."

Reed squeezes my hand. "Please don't call or text me again. Please don't make me change my number, because I will. Get help, Todd."

Todd screams into the phone, "Fuck you and fuck her. You're going to regret this day. The day you chose a bitch over our friendship. You're fucking dead to me, Reed. Fucking dead."

Todd abruptly hangs up. Reed and I look at each other in shock. "I'm so sorry. I've never seen this side of Todd. I don't know what the hell is wrong with him," Reed apologizes.

I'm concerned. "Should we be worried? He already went as far as drugging you and beating up Patty. What if he decides to do something worse?"

"I think he's full of shit. He's all talk." Reed pulls me into him and kisses my forehead.

"I sure as hell hope that you're right." I still have not shaken that uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Reed changes the subject. "Enough about Todd. What do you want to do today?"

I smile "Lay in your arms."

He smirks. "I can arrange."

***

It's Monday morning, and I'm cleaning up some paperwork from missing work Friday. I called the doctor's office and scheduled an appointment for me later in the week. I was fortunate enough to get one so soon due to a cancellation. I texted Reed the information, and he informed me that wild horses couldn't keep him away.

Kandie peeks her head into my office. "Good morning."

I look up from work and smile at my best friend and coworker. "Good morning."

She returns my smile with a cheeky grin. "How are you feeling today?"

"Tired," I admit, "but other than that, I am doing good. How about you?"

Kandie inadvertently places her hands over her belly. "I'm good now that I'm in my second trimester. In my first three months, I couldn't stand the taste of my mouth. I had to chew gum, suck on hard candy, or eat mints like they were my last meal. I also couldn't stand the smell of my hair being wet. Fucking strange."

I raise my eyebrows. "Yikes! All that I've had is a little nausea."

She nods in understanding. "How was the rest of your weekend?"

I can't help but smile. "Nice and relaxing. It was just what we needed after Friday's chaotic day."

Kandie inquires, "Did Reed ever talk to Todd?"

I lean back into my chair, indicating to Kandie that there is a story to tell. She instinctively sits in one of the two chairs across from my desk. "Kandie, it was insane. Todd sent five texts and called him twice before we even had a chance to eat breakfast."

Kandie looked surprised. "Damn. What did Reed do?"

I sigh, "At first, he ignored him. He made me breakfast, and we ate."

"You ate before even reading what the texts had to say?" Kandie asked in disbelief.

"Yep, I think Reed would have been happy to delete them and act like Todd no longer existed in the universe," I remarked.

"I couldn't do that. I'm too damn nosy. Okay, so you ate breakfast, then what?" she encourages me to continue.

I smile at her nosy confession. "Reed wanted me to be there when he read them, so we sat on the couch and read them together. Kandie, it was horrible. Todd scares me, especially after what happened to Patty.

**Ring, Ring**

Kandie's phone rings, and she reaches into her pocket to retrieve it. Seeing the smile on her face lets me know that it must be Tank. "Hey, Babe... Yeah, she's here. What? Are you sure? Oh my God!"

My heart stops beating watching Kandie talk to Tank. I can see the look of horror on her face.

Her eyes are wide as she looks at me. "I can't believe it... Thanks, Babe... I love you, too... I promise I will... Bye."

Kandie disconnects the call and looks at me with her wide eyes. "It's Patty."

"Patty? What about Patty?" I asked, confused.

"She was found dead at the East Harbor. Tank said that it was on the morning news." She explains.

I'm sure that the look on my face now mirrors Kandie's face. "What!?"

Kandie reiterated, "Patty is dead, murdered. Tank said that they're looking for anyone who has any information on her."

My hand goes to my mouth in shock. "Oh my God. I need to call Reed."

Before I get a chance to call him, my phone rings. It's Reed. "Babe, I was watching the morning news. You are not going to believe this."

"Tank just called Kandie and told her about Patty. We're shocked. Do you think that Todd did this?" I ask.

"I don't know what to think about Todd anymore, but I do know that we owe it to Patty to tell the police what we do know." Reed relays to me.

I let Reed know that is the right thing to do. "I agree."

"I already called the number on the screen and have a meeting with a detective in an hour," Reed informs me.

"I should come with you. I have an appointment with a new client in an hour, but I can reschedule." I insist.

Reed doesn't think that I should go with him. "No, Babe. Keep your appointment. I'll go myself, and I'll let the detective know to contact you if he needs to speak with you. Okay?"

"Okay." I reluctantly agree.

"I have to go, Babe. I need to get this contract out before I meet with the detective," he says.

I let Reed know, "I love you."

"I love you, too. I'll call you after my meeting. Bye." He returns the sentiment, and I smile.

"Bye."

***

I put the address that the client gave me into my GPS and am surprised that it's taking me to Cherry Hill. I double-checked my information to make sure that I didn't mistype it. Cherry Hill is a seedy, run-down neighborhood in Baltimore. I think about calling the client to change our meeting place but dismiss the thought. Sure, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near that neighborhood at night, but it's late morning. What could happen in the light of day?

Little did I know that I was walking into a trap set by a crazed madman, a man with absolutely no moral compass, a man convinced that I was his enemy. He'll do anything it takes to defeat and crush his opposition, me.

*****