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Dickson stared at me for a solid minute in silence before pushing off the pillar he’d been resting against. “And to think I was actually leaning toward voting for you.”
He shook his head and started down the courthouse steps. Halfway, he turned. “Your arrest is something the partners need to be aware of, as it has an effect on the firm. It’s my responsibility to inform them, regardless of the personal breach of trust.”
“I understand.”
With only the look of disgust for a goodbye, he turned back around and kept walking. I stayed rooted in the same spot until he left, the weight of everything suddenly sinking in. My career, my license, my freedom, a probable civil lawsuit… I’d really fucked up this time. But the worst was what was missing as I stood here alone on the steps: Autumn.
***
“Hi. I was in room fifteen-ten. We checked in on Friday and were due to check out today. But something came up, and since it’s past checkout time, my key isn’t working. Would you happen to know if the other guest who was with me already left?”
The woman punched a few keys into the computer and smiled. “Mr. Decker?”
“That’s me.”
“It says there’s something in the back the other guest left for you. Hang on a second, and I’ll grab it.”
She came back wheeling my luggage, with an envelope in her hand. “Can I just see some ID, please?”
“Of course.” I dug my license out of my wallet and showed it to her before she brought my luggage out from behind the counter. The woman offered me the envelope. “Here you go. Anything else I can do for you?”
“I don’t think so. Thank you very much.”
I only made it a few steps from the counter before I ripped the envelope open. Inside was a note in Autumn’s handwriting.
Donovan,
I’m sorry about everything that happened. I promised I wouldn’t run away without saying anything ever again, but I need some time and space. I hope you understand.
—Autumn