The Running Girls(55)

“And my dad?”

It was the first time Laurie had heard David refer to Frank as his dad. “I’ll make sure he’s safe,” she said. “You could always check on him before you go.”

“That’s not what I meant,” he said, turning away from her.

She wanted to embrace him and take away all his pain. So many times, she’d wanted him to open up about his mom, and what Frank had done. Death had permeated David’s life, and it had always felt impossible to talk to him about it. Not that she was any different, she knew. She wasn’t the only one to lose Milly, and she knew she sometimes forgot that. She was guilty of clamming up as much as David was, and now they were at this impasse.

This time, it was David’s turn to shrug her off as she placed her hand on his shoulder. “Just go on, then,” he said, refusing to meet her gaze.

Laurie didn’t know if David wanted his father safe or not, but she told him she’d look in on him before she ducked down into a shelter, if it came to that, then opened the interview room door and left him behind her.





Chapter Twenty-Nine


Laurie was trembling by the time she reached the all but deserted bullpen; she wasn’t sure if it was out of rage or sadness.

She had to remind herself constantly that she wasn’t to blame for everything. The rational side of her knew it was illogical, and definitely counterproductive, to blame herself for Milly’s death, but it was a constant struggle. Especially when her darker side kept reminding her that it was her body that had failed Milly. And it was that same side of her making her feel guilty for the possibly unfixable state of her marriage. Trying to drown it out was taking all her strength, and at that moment there was just too much going on to put up a credible fight.

As usual, Remi was her temporary savior, planting a profoundly welcome cup of coffee in her hand. “Everything OK, boss?” he asked, his demeanor suggesting he didn’t want to step over any boundaries between them.

“Has Sandra Harrington evacuated yet? I need to see her,” said Laurie. “It’s not right for her to wait so long to find out about her husband.”

“I just spoke to Gemma. They haven’t left yet. You need me to come?”

Laurie shook her head. “You need to get going. Have Ava and the children set off yet?”

“Yes, they went this morning.”

“Get going, Remi. I told you. There’s enough of us here.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I’ll drive you off the island myself if you don’t get going, now get,” said Laurie, smiling as Remi gave her a hug for the first time since they’d worked together.



Laurie shut down her laptop and packed it away. It wasn’t the first time the station had prepared for an incoming storm since Ike had struck, and anything of value had already been securely stored. Even though the wind was raging, the threat of a full-scale hurricane still felt distant to her. But as she left the building and drove to the seawall, the reality of the situation began to hit harder.

The waves were lapping at the seawall, as if biding their time. Laurie had seen the very same road covered by water before, but it was an ominous sign seeing the water this far in already. She sent a message to Gemma, telling her she was on her way, as she moved back inland to avoid the queues of evacuating islanders.

Gemma replied instantly. Sandra has been in bed for the last two hours. Everything is packed so she’s ready to go.

Laurie drew in a deep breath and slowly released it. There could be no good time to bring her news like this, she knew, but the idea of delivering it when she was already laid out by grief seemed incredibly cruel.

It took another thirty minutes to reach the house. Again, Laurie circled back to it: a second death notice in a matter of days. She hardly needed reminding how quickly someone’s life could unravel, but it was hard to fathom that only days ago Sandra Harrington had a husband and daughter, and now would be facing up to a future utterly alone.

Gemma met her at the front door. “Sandra is still asleep. I’ve been packing for her,” she whispered, as she let Laurie in.

“Tilly?”

“Back with her father. They’re planning to leave as soon as they can.”

“Has Sandra said where she’s planning to go?”

“To her parents in Dallas.”

“I might need you to go with her,” said Laurie, before telling the officer about Glen Harrington.

Gemma was speechless for a few seconds before replying. “Of course I’ll go with her,” she said. “I don’t think she’ll be in any fit state to drive anyway.”

“Could you see if you can wake her up?” said Laurie, before catching sight of Sandra Harrington walking down the staircase wearing a thick navy robe, her hair darting in numerous directions, her face a fright mask of smudged makeup.

“Hello, Sandra,” said Laurie. “Come on, let’s get you some coffee.”

Sandra didn’t answer. She walked past them both toward the kitchen, where she began filling the coffee machine with beans.

“I can do that,” said Gemma.

“No,” said Sandra quite forcefully, before regaining her composure. “Sorry, I need to be doing something. You found him yet?” she asked, glancing at Laurie.