Chapter 39

Shirley

Another day, another work session spent alone at home. Some of Keith’s team have responded with some comments, so I’ve spent the morning sending out replies and editing my work. It’s easy enough, though Sam - one of the older wolves - won’t stop coming back with more and more questions.

I guess I should be thankful for his interest, at least that’s what I tell myself as I sit back, sighing as his reply appears in my inbox again. Due to hours of relentless work, even my laptop is tired as it flashes a low battery warning at me.

Promptly, I bend down to look through it, pushing around other items in order to find it along the mess. However, due to the limited contents, I quickly discover that it’s not there.

Wondering if I had taken it out when I was still lost in my thoughts the day before, I go into the living room to see if I had absentmindedly brought it in there. But when I discover nothing, I then search in the dining room, kitchen, bedroom, and even the bathroom. When I’m left standing the hallway, I finally give a harsh sigh.

Where the hell could it be? I swore I had put it in my bag, but there’s also a chance I had left it at Keith’s. No…that can’t be right. I hadn’t used my computer at the meeting. However, that doesn’t mean it didn’t somehow fall out during my journey to his house and back.

Huffing again, I’m not keen on the idea of spending the day retracing my steps, but I do need a charger stat - especially with all of Sam’s incessant emails. Quickly making up my mind, I retrieve my phone from my pocket, calling Warren as I go to gather my things before heading out the door. When I walk onto the porch, I find Warren’s car already waiting for me, causing me to swiftly walk over.

“Hello, Warren,” I say as I slid in. “Could you take me to that small computer store on eighth street?”

“Of course,” he replies without question, and then he’s pulling out the drive.

The charger might eventually turn up, but I don’t have time to wait around for it. The best plan is to just replace it now so I can get the day’s tasks done.

Weaving through town, I catch glimpses of the continued protests, causing me to press back further in my seat. I really can’t believe people are still taking to the streets after all Keith’s efforts. But then again, I’m clueless on the actual details.

Still staring out the window, I don’t initially realize that Warren and I have come to a stop until I notice him glance back at me.

“Sorry, miss,” he begins. “This is as close as I can get to eighth due to all the protests.”

Yeah. There’s not much room for the car to slide by with all the people carelessly wandering into the road. It’s better to cut our losses before an accident occurs.

“This is fine,” I tell him, unbuckling my seatbelt. “I’ll meet you back here when I’m done.”

Warren gives me a nod as I step out, soon closing the door before I make my way onto the sidewalk. We’re only a couple of streets down from the store and it won’t be much of a walk. Even with the crowd of people, I should be able to make it there in no time.

I slip my way through the others as I cross one street to another, making sure to keep some speed in my steps. I can already feel my phone buzzing in my pocket, indicating that I’m probably getting a slew of emails from the pack. However, just as I’m only a block away from the store, I feel my feet slow again.

Up ahead, I spot a familiar face and head of unruly blonde hair. Ralph is standing off to the side, though his eyes are not turned to me. Instead, he’s focused on a man at his side who is nearly a head taller, his jet black hair combed back.

I’ve never seen the man before - not with Ralph and not in town. I would have remembered that jet black hair and deep scar along his temple if I’d noticed him before. He also has on a white t-shirt despite the crisp air, signs of covered tattoos showing beneath the fabric.

Who is this man and why is he talking to Ralph? Their business looks serious as they seem to be talking privately, the odd man’s eyes scanning the crowd as if in warning. It makes me eager to know what they’re saying, causing me to take a step forward, wondering if I can get closer and hide myself.

But that possibility seems to be abruptly dismissed as the two men begin to step away, giving each other a nod before they part ways. My eyes flash between them as the man crosses the street, but I eventually land my stare back on Ralph as he continues down the sidewalk, headed in the direction I had been going.

Instinct fueling my steps, I begin to follow him, a sudden interest meeting me as I watch his every move. I can’t tell where he’s going, but something in me wants to find out. However, my plan is becoming difficult as we pass by groups of people - slowing me down and making him harder to see due to the others’ heights.

When I finally pass through them, I scan ahead only to find that Ralph has completely disappeared. I won’t be able to figure out where he’s gone…it’s like he’s vanished.

Still searching, sure that’s not the case - I get distracted as I feel my phone vibrate again. Finally, I relent and pull it out, discovering it’s not another email, but a text from Keith.

Keith: Company gathering at my house in one hour.

I sigh after reading it, lowering my phone. I definitely need to be quick about getting my charger then - I don’t want to be late. I’ll have to abandon my search for Ralph for now….although, I’m interested to see if Ralph will be at the meeting.

Maybe that’s why he was so quick to leave.

I was wrong. Ralph isn’t at the meeting. He’s nowhere to be found in the roomful of other wolves, making my skepticism grow as I picture him and the man from the street again. I know it could be nothing, but for some reason the man’s appearance has stuck with me - striking me wrong.

Due to my thoughts, I’m left spending the meeting distracted again. I only really speak when Sam decides to ask his questions in person, but then I’m straight back to my thoughts. Not even Keith’s curious stare can draw me out.

Once we’re done, I slowly get up my chair, not on my guard as I barely notice someone at my side before they begin to speak.

“Great work,” they say, causing me to look over as I discover Ron. “Sorry for all of Sam’s questions. He just likes having all his facts straight.” Ron then smiles at me - it’s warm and inviting, making me abandon my worries as I smile back.

“That’s okay,” I tell him. “Everyone has a method to their madness.”

“That they do,” Ron says back with a laugh. “But you handled it well.”

“Thank you,” I say back, a smile still on my face.

“I actually have something for you,” he says then, gesturing me over to where he’d been sitting. I follow along, soon stopping so he can retrieve something from his briefcase.

“They’re just some details about a few other people who might be involved with the company,” he tells me, handing over a file. “I’ll send you an email too, but I figured you might also like a physical copy.”

“Oh,” I say, opening it up to look over the initial documents. “Yes, thank you. This is a big help.”

“If you need any other information or have any questions then feel free to reach out,” Ron says as I glance back up. “I’m just a call or text away.”

I can tell his words are sincere and there’s nothing sinister behind them, which makes me smile again. After everything I’ve experienced since I’ve arrived, it’s nice to be on the receiving end of genuine kindness.

“I really appreciate that, Ralph,” I say back. “The same goes for you.”

“Thanks. I’ll try not to be as annoying as Sam,” he replies, which causes us both to laugh. Not a forced or obligated laugh either - it’s real and delightful. However, just as it comes to an end, I see movement out of the corner of my eye. It causes me to glance over, soon falling on another face.

Keith stares at me, and Ron. But nothing about him seems as loose and welcoming as the man in front of me. He’s tense, cold as he watches us - his stare only becoming more harsh as he glances at Ron again. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear he’s annoyed.

“Sorry, Ron,” I say, turning back to the man. I don’t know why, but I suddenly feel the need to leave. “I have to go get some work done. But I’ll make sure to call you, if necessary.”

I then walk away, collecting my things and once again picturing a man’s sharp features in my head. But this time, it’s not the man from the street - it’s Keith.

Why did he look so pissed?

Thanks to my new charger, I’m able to get a lot done this evening. All of the emails and correspondence have stopped, giving me the opportunity to focus on my own tasks.

With Ron’s file, I’m able to read over the new details and type up additional information onto my collected documents. However, I soon find myself at a standstill, needing my own files to continue.

Getting up from the table, I go to my bag again in order to retrieve everything. Only, I don’t even need to look inside to realize something is missing. The way my bag limply sags already tells me that it’s not being held upright by the stiff folder, causing a sourness to reach my stomach.

But still, I decide to look anyway - I need to be sure. I pick up the bag, pulling it open to stare inside.

I know that I put it back in the bag after I shared my notes. I know that I didn’t drop it. And I know that I didn’t take it out at any point once I returned home.

But it’s not there. Just like my charger from this morning…it’s gone.