Like Glass We Break (Glass #2) (2 page)

Chapter Two

Renae

Renae hops off the bus at the Sherbrooke Road stop. It is chilly. She’s glad she wore this sweater as she hugs it tight to her body, arms crossed. She glances behind her and there’s only a few other people on the street. Not surprising, considering how early it is. Sometimes she surprises herself with the amount of dedication she has to be working out at six a.m. It’s the only convenient time for her, though. It gives her just enough time to hop in the shower after her forty-five minute routine, and then make it to work on time by eight-thirty. She cannot be late. She just started this new job at Danis Accounting and doesn’t want to upset anyone. This is her first job after college and she needs it to be able to afford her high end executive apartment, overlooking the lake in the middle of the city. At twenty-four years old, her biggest nightmare is moving back in with her strict, Catholic parents in Oregon, who would still treat her like a child, dictating whether or not she’s allowed to have friends over on a weeknight, and ensuring no boys spend the night.

The gym is only one more block away. Renae quickens her pace to a fast walk, convinced she’ll freeze to death if she doesn’t make it there soon. Once inside, she sees a familiar face heading toward the change room.

“Hey, Sophie,” Renae calls out.

“Hey, Ren. How’s it going?” Sophie replies, smiling and slowing down so Renae can catch up to her.

“Good, how are you? I wasn’t sure I’d see you here this morning. I thought you had to prepare for that presentation you have to do today.”

“I worked on it last night and I’m just over it. It’ll either go well or it won’t. Spending another couple hours on it this morning won’t make a difference, so I’m here to work out and release some of my frustration,” Sophie explains.

“Your boss shouldn’t have given you an assignment like that as such a last minute thing. You should have had weeks to prepare.”

“Tell me about it. And what about you, Renae? Do you have to go to that conference?”

“I think so. I’ll hopefully find out today for sure. Also a last minute thing,” Renae sighs.

Both girls walk into the changing room and head to a corner in the back, where they change into their workout attire. As they enter the gym, they part ways and do their own thing, agreeing to meet up after work for a salted caramel latte.

***

Once at her office, Renae settles down at her desk. Today was leg day at the gym, so her calves are aching. She decides to focus on her paperwork and not move as long as she doesn’t have to, despite having forgotten to make herself a coffee in the staff room on the way in. Coffee will have to wait. Resting her legs takes priority.

Her boss walks by and pokes his head in.

“Renae, the conference has been pushed back two weeks.”

“Oh, okay. Thanks for letting me know,” Renae replies, relieved that she’s being given a decent amount of notice this time. Her boss nods and walks away.

“Where did I put those papers—” Renae starts to wonder, but is startled when she hears another voice from her office doorway.

“Hi Renae.”

“Scott, what’s u-up?” Renae asks, smiling. She stutters a bit as she speaks those words. Scott is irresistibly handsome. His eyes are sensuous, radiant, and a bit mysterious. He’s much taller than her and he’s firmly-built. He definitely makes Renae nervous and giggly.

“Just trying to get some work done, but I need caffeine first. Would you like me to grab you a coffee?”

“Sure,” she replies, “if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind at all. Two milk, one sweetener?”

“Yes.” She smiles shyly, surprised that he remembered exactly how she takes her coffee.

“I’ll be back in a second.”

A second too long!
He is so incredibly smooth. Renae doubts he has any trouble with the ladies. In fact, he probably has a girlfriend. How could he not be attached? He’s such a genuine, kind man.

“Here you go. Careful, it’s really hot,” Scott announces as he appears in the office once again. He sets a coffee mug down on the desk and smiles warmly. He makes eye contact but it feels as though it doesn’t last long enough for Renae. She wishes this conversation could go on forever, but suddenly he’s gone and she is alone in her office once again.

Her caffeine addiction is glad there’s a warm mug of java sitting in front of her, and she takes a sip. It’s warm and comforting, and she instantly feels more productive.
Now, where are those papers?

***

The day feels as though it crawls by slowly. Renae is one of the last employees to leave the building and it’s much colder than it was this morning. Suddenly the sweater she wore isn’t enough, and she desperately hopes she doesn’t miss her bus, though she is already running late. The next one doesn’t come by for another forty-five minutes. She jogs to the bus stop and there isn’t any sign of the bus. It has already passed, or it’s behind schedule. She can see her breath and the cold is nipping at her toes.

A car slowly pulls up beside her and comes to a stop. It’s dark and Renae slowly backs away, but the car rolls down its window and reveals Scott in the driver’s seat. “Would you like a ride?”

“Uh, I don’t know. I think so. Maybe. Where are you going?” Renae manages, surprised at his offer.

“I don’t have anywhere to get to right now, so hop in. I’ll take you wherever you need to go. This weather is absolutely ridiculous and you’re going to get sick, which means I’ll catch it because we work in the same office.” Scott chuckles.

Renae obliges and climbs into the passenger seat of his black Jeep Wrangler. The radio is on a rock station but it’s barely audible.

“Where are you headed?” Scott asks.

“Home.”

“Okay, and where might home be?” He laughs.

“Oh, uh…sorry. Wellington Road South. The big apartment complex by the lake.”

“Oh, nice. That’s a beautiful building.”

“Oh, have you been in there?” Renae asks.

“No, but I’ve seen it from the outside. It must have a beautiful view of the water.”

“It does. I write by the window.”

“You write?” Scott asks.

“Yes, in my spare time. It’s nothing special. I mean, it’s definitely not professional quality work. It’s just for fun. I like writing.”

“I’d love to read some of your work sometime.”

“I don’t know about that. I’ve never let anyone read anything I’ve written. I’m usually too embarrassed. A lot of it is very personal,” Renae explains.

“I’m certain I can change your mind.”

Renae is certain he can change her mind too. Perhaps after a glass of wine, or passionate sex. A lot of things can change Renae’s mind.

Scott reaches down and turns up the volume on the radio just a bit. Trying to act cool, Renae sits in silence and softly bobs her head along with the music.

“Right?” Scott asks.

“What?”

“Which side of the building—right or left?”

“Oh, sorry. Yes, right. I wasn’t paying attention. I didn’t realize we’re already here. Thanks for the ride; I really appreciate it. Taking the bus in this weather would have been pretty miserable. So, thank you,” Renae says, speaking slowly. She looks at Scott’s profile in the glow of the street lights, when he turns and his eyes meet hers. “Um, so I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yep, I’ll be there. Bright and early as usual. Okay, maybe not all that bright.” Scott grins.

“What’s with the suitcase?” Renae asks, as she reaches back for her purse.

“I packed in case we were sent away to that conference this week. I’m a procrastinator, normally, so when I have the motivation to not be lazy, I usually try to take advantage.”

“Oh.” Renae smiles. “Have a good night, Scott!”

“You too.”

***

Scott

She pushes the door closed and walks toward her building. Through the heavy glass door, Scott can see down the hallway of the first floor. He watches as Renae turns and heads up the flight of stairs. This leaves him curiously wondering what floor she actually lives on, since she doesn’t live on the first.

He stares at the empty hallway for another minute and then puts his vehicle back in drive. He pushes the Bluetooth button on his steering wheel, allowing him to dial a phone number hands free.

“Say the name or number you wish to call.”

“Cora James.”

“
Calling Cora James.”

Ringing. More ringing. Part of him is almost surprised when the call goes to voicemail, although that makes sense—how would she be able to reach her phone when her hands are tied behind her back?

“You’ve reached Cor! Please leave a message and I’ll get back to you when I can!”

“Hey, Cora. It’s Scott. I just finished up work and I’d like to get together. I haven’t seen you in a couple days. Are you free? I’m going to swing by, in case your ringer is off or something. See you soon.” Scott speaks slowly, enunciating his words. “End call.”

He parks in front of the older, two-story building that Cora James calls home. No one answers when he knocks at the door, so he knocks again. Still nothing.

“Cora?” he calls out. “Sweetheart, are you home?”

He listens by an open window in the living room and hears nothing. He wonders how long the window has been open and if there’s a puddle of water on the hardwood floor inside from the torrential downpour the city had been having for the last few days.

“Cor, answer the door,” Scott shouts. Nothing. Defeated and concerned, he returns to his Jeep and flips open his phone. He and Cora have only been dating for a short period of time, so he doesn’t know how to reach any of her local relatives. Instead, he dials 9-1-1.

“9-1-1, what’s your emergency?”

“My girlfriend is missing,” Scott explains; his voice shaking. “Her name is Cora James. Her address is 3101 Victor Street.”

“Sir, how long has she been missing?”

“A few days. I haven’t heard from her in a few days. It’s not like her. I came by tonight to see if maybe she’s just avoiding me. Maybe I upset her. I keep knocking and there’s no answer, but there are lights on.”

“Do you have reason to believe there is foul play involved?”

“I don’t know. I looked in through the window and it looks like the door to the basement has been pried open, which is weird. It wasn’t like that before. She’s always kept it locked because there’s a safe down there with her grandmother’s jewelry. Maybe she’s been robbed.” Scott sounds more and more upset.

“Sir, I am sending an officer over to check it out. He’ll be there in a couple minutes. Please wait for him outside.”

“Okay. Thanks.” He hangs up the phone and holds it in the palm of his sweaty hand. He walks back to the front door and knocks once again. “Cora? Are you home? Did I upset you? Did I say something? Do something? Are you in love with someone else, Cora? Just answer me.”

His cell phone vibrates and he jumps. He opens his hand and sees that he has a text message.

Renae: Thanks again for the ride. See u tomorrow.

His phone is getting wet in his hand but he continues to stare at it. He stands, waiting, for what feels like forever. “Cora!”

***

“When is the last time you saw Cora James?” a short, chunky man in a police uniform asks. He holds a clipboard and jots down notes as he bombards Scott with questions he doesn’t know the answers to. “You said she was your girlfriend? Could she have been seeing anyone else? Did she have any enemies?”

“Not
was
my girlfriend. She
is
my girlfriend. No, she isn’t seeing anyone else. We’ve been together for a couple months, and we are definitely exclusive,” Scott replies calmly. He is sitting on the curb beside a police cruiser, hands cuffed behind his back. Several other police vehicles have shown up to the house in the last few minutes. The lights are almost blinding and the whole yard is being taped off with yellow caution tape. A forensic unit arrives and two men in suits get out. They speak with one of the uniformed cops and then make their way under the yellow tape and into the house.

“Sir, Miss James is dead,” the burly officer explains. His expression is serious and his eyes are cold. It seems he’s been doing this for a really long time.

“What?”

“We found her in her basement. She’s been murdered.”

“No. I was just over here the other night.”

“Sir, she’s dead.”

“This can’t be happening. Who would do that?” Scott shouts. He stands suddenly and takes two steps toward the house that is swarming with police.