Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 128260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Kate was glancing back and forth between the two of us again. “Okay, well, I’ll make this quick and you two can catch up.”
Neither Grace nor I said anything, but Grace crossed her legs, seeming like she was relaxing a little bit. Kate cleared her throat. “Okay, Carson, I understand you were in the navy with Mr. Garner and that you both moved here recently to work at Trilogy. Has he ever exhibited any behavior that seemed unusual to you, especially in more recent months?”
I focused my gaze on Kate. “No.”
“Care to elaborate?”
I leaned back in my chair. “Josh Garner has always acted sound of mind and body. He’s an extremely stable man. I never observed any unusual behavior.”
Kate nodded and jotted something on a small pad she had placed on her crossed knee.
“What kind of soldier was he?”
“He was a trustworthy teammate who did his job well.”
She nodded. “I’m assuming you were in situations where violence was necessary. How did he react to those situations?”
I glanced at Grace, who was reaching into her bag for a pad and a pen too. As she took the pen in her hand, I noticed the slight tremor. I also noticed the ring on her finger. My heart dropped. It’s been almost five years. What did you expect? I locked my feelings down and looked back at Kate, trying to recall her question. Violence. How did he react. Right.
“In a professional manner,” I answered. “He did what he had to do to complete the missions we were on. If you’re asking if he seemed to like the violent aspect of his job, the answer is no. He did what was required and no more or less than that.”
“Any idea why he left the navy?”
“He had served as a SEAL for ten years. He was ready to get back to civilian life, and his job here was a good offer. He didn’t elaborate any more than that to me.”
“Okay. Did you see him Sunday during the day or Sunday night?”
“He worked Sunday, but we didn’t have very much interaction. I was mostly in the security rooms downstairs and he worked the casino floor.”
Kate nodded again. “Good employee?”
“Very good employee.”
“Did you socialize personally?”
“Not much since we’ve been in Vegas. We’ve both been busy.”
Kate tapped her pen on her paper. “Okay, I think that’s all I have for now.” She put her pad and pen in her bag. “If I have any more questions, I’ll be in touch.” She smiled and stood.
Grace started standing too, but Kate put a hand on her arm. “Grace, I’ll be in touch. Have a good rest of the day.” She nodded to me and turned and walked to the door, exiting quietly.
Grace stood up quickly and so did I. “Carson, what—”
“Grace, how—”
We both laughed a little uncomfortably and then both went silent, just looking at each other.
“Hi, Grace.” I smiled. I wondered if I looked as thrown as I felt.
She let out a breath and smiled back. “Hi, Carson.”
I came around my desk and sat down in the chair Kate had been previously occupying and Grace sat back down. I wanted to reach for her hands, but I didn’t. I could still hardly believe she was real—sitting right here in front of me.
“You went into the navy?” she asked, eyes wide.
I nodded. “Yeah. Right after we left Vegas.”
“Right after…” Her brow furrowed and she gave her head a small shake. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked. I thought it was hurt in her tone, but I wasn’t sure.
“At first, I didn’t know if I would even succeed,” I told her. “I was spinning after that weekend, Grace.” I let out a breath. “And then right after I became a SEAL, I tried to look you up on social media but I couldn’t find you.” I ran my hand over my short hair. I didn’t mention the two days I’d been in DC, or that I’d almost gone to visit her. I hadn’t had the chance, so what did it matter? “Anyway, I shipped out after that.” And then the years and the timing.
And the mission.
She sighed and gave a small shrug. “Oh. Well, no, I’m not much for social media. I have a few accounts but they’re under iterations of my name…” Her voice faded away and for a moment she appeared confused as though she’d forgotten what she was talking about.
I didn’t respond right away, didn’t save her. I felt lost too. And truthfully, I wanted to quietly stare at her forever. But she fidgeted slightly under my gaze, bringing me back to the present and causing something to occur to me suddenly. “You didn’t go into corporate law,” I said. “You became a prosecutor.”
She let out a breath on a smile. “Yes.”
Her dream. It’d been her dream, the one she’d barely been able to admit to. I wanted to know everything—when had she made the decision? Did our conversation play any part in it? Had it been hard? And how was she here? “How did you end up in Ve—” I started to ask but was interrupted by the ringing of the phone. “Damn. Hold on.”