What's Done in Darkness by Kayla Perrin

makeup sex after we’d fought.
    In my room, I retrieved my phone. The next thing I knew, I was texting Wesley, asking him how he was doing and telling him that I missed him.
    After all, it was only after midnight in Seattle. He might still be up.
    And then I waited, and waited. Twenty minutes later, there was no reply and I felt one hundred times worse.
    â€œIdiot,” I muttered to myself. Then I turned off my phone, curled into a ball on my bed, and prayed that sleep would come quickly.

 
    CHAPTER SIX
    SHAWDE
    The ringing phone jarred Shawde awake. As her head bopped up and she opened her eyes, she realized that she was at her desk. She’d fallen asleep there, her binder of research open beside her.
    Shawde quickly reached for her cell phone and looked at the screen, hoping to see Gordon’s name flashing on it. Instead, she saw Cathy Campbell’s name and picture.
    As the phone rang a third time, Shawde debated not answering. But she knew Cathy would be concerned if she didn’t hear from her, so she swiped the icon on her smartphone to accept the call.
    â€œHey, Cathy,” Shawde greeted her, injecting a light tone into her voice.
    â€œShawde, hi. How are you?”
    â€œGood. I’ve been busy. But good.”
    â€œYeah?” Cathy sounded skeptical. “You sure?”
    â€œUh-huh. Yeah.”
    â€œI’ve been worried. You broke up with Maurice, and I haven’t really heard from you.”
    Shawde swallowed at the mention of Maurice’s name. “I needed a bit of time, but I’ve been okay.”
    â€œThat’s good to hear, Shawde. Really good. Do you have plans for Friday night?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œGreat. Because a few of us are planning to go out on Friday night to celebrate Alyesha’s birthday. Me, Vanessa, Caitlin. We’re going to head to a restaurant, then out on the town for some dancing. We’d love for you to join us.”
    â€œOh.” Shawde paused. Then she said, “I’ll try.”
    â€œOh no, you don’t. Don’t blow me off. If you don’t say yes now, you won’t show up. We all haven’t been out in so long. Please say yes.”
    Shawde opened her mouth to speak, but she didn’t know what to say. If Maurice didn’t understand, how could her friends? She wasn’t in the mood to go out and celebrate when all that mattered was seeing her brother’s killer brought to justice.
    â€œShawde?”
    Her phone beeped, indicating that she had another call coming through. Easing the phone away from her face, she saw Gordon’s name on her screen.
    â€œCathy, I’ve got another call coming through. I’ve got to go.”
    â€œWill you join us Friday night?”
    â€œI’ll call you back,” Shawde said, then quickly answered Gordon’s call. She’d been hoping to hear from him tonight. “Hi, Gordon. How are things going?”
    â€œIt’s been quiet, but one interesting thing happened.”
    Shawde sat up straight. “Oh?”
    â€œI told you about Christian, Katrina’s boyfriend who showed up last week. Well, another person arrived who’s staying with them as well.”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œHer name is Jade. I don’t have a last name yet. We only exchanged a few words when she brought me coffee. She mentioned she’s down from Buffalo.”
    Shawde bit down on her bottom lip as she thought. “Buffalo? You think she went to school with Katrina?”
    â€œShe’s younger than Katrina, that’s for sure. Maybe she just came down for work. But she’s living upstairs with Katrina and Christian. That much I was able to ascertain.”
    â€œIf she’s living with them, there must be a connection,” Shawde said. “I know you’ll find out what it is.” She sighed softly, then went on. “Thanks, Gordon. I appreciate you being down there for me, keeping an eye out.”
    â€œNo problem.