Chapter 26: Doubt

Sarah's POV

I stood by the door, customers passing me by as I watched Gabrielle come down from the jeep on the other side of the road. She had offered to go get me coffee as our coffee machine had malfunctioned so I wondered what caused her to wander into a car. 

I tried to look at the driver but the window was deeply tinted. Gabrielle glanced back at the car before crossing the road. I looked down at her hands as she approached me. She had only her notebook with her and no coffee. 

"Gabrielle," I called as she walked up to her, her hands fidgeting on the pages of her notebook.

"Y-yeah,"she answered with a stammer as she quickly walked past me. A frown formed on my face as I watched her enter the building. 

Sighing, I decided to ignore her actions, walking back into the store. 

The doorbell had chimed continuously, as customers walked in and out, clutching by their sides wrapped filled bags. Business had been great again, and I should have felt relieved, but my stomach still had this gnawing feeling that refused to leave me.

I stood behind the counter, arranging some receipts, but my gaze kept darting to Gabrielle. Ever since she came back from her break, she had been acting different-nervous, on edge. She was usually bright and eager, always ready to help a customer or to dive into some new task, but today she seemed distracted, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt whenever she thought no one was looking.

Something had happened.

The customer's began to die down as night began to come. I found Gabrielle standing near the stockroom, staring off into space, her hands clenched into fists. 

My eyes narrowed.

I laid the papers I held back down on the counter and walked over. "Gabrielle?" I called.

She jolted, her head snapping toward me. "Y-Yes?" Her voice was breathless, as if I had startled her out of deep thought.

I crossed my arms over my chest, cocking my head. "Are you okay? You've been... different since you got back."

Her lips parted, but she said nothing. I watched her chew the inside of her cheek. Clearly, she had something in her mind.

"Yeah," she finally said, sounding unnaturally light. "I just-um, I guess I'm a little tired. It's been a busy day."

I didn't believe her.

Gabrielle had worked diligently without complaint of weariness. Something wasn't quite right. I studied her a moment longer, noting the way her fingers twitched at her sides, the way her shoulders were slightly hunched, as if she was bracing for something.

"Alright," I replied, my voice measured. "But if there is something that's bothering you, you do know that you can tell me, right? You're welcome in this team, and I don't wish you to feel out of place."

She nodded quickly, forcing a small smile. "Of course. Thanks, Sarah."

I wanted to push her further, to ask her where she had gone on her break, why she looked like she had seen a ghost, but I held back. Gabrielle wasn't a liar, but she clearly was concealing something. Pushing too hard might make her retreat even more.

Instead, I turned my attention to the bigger problem-Freya.

I hadn't seen her in weeks, but that didn't mean she was done with me. My gut was telling me that she was out there, waiting, watching-like Alex. And now, after seeing the weirdness of Gabrielle, I couldn't help but create some connection in my head.

I slowly exhaled, clearing my head. No, Gabrielle wasn't that type. She was one of the best we had hired and I refused to believe that she would double-cross me.

And yet, I couldn't take the possibility out of my mind.

I turned and headed for the front desk, where one of the employees I really trusted was sorting some receipts. She looked up as I approached.

"Hannah," I said in a low tone, "I need you to keep an eye on Gabrielle for me."

Hannah's eyebrows rose. "Gabrielle? Why? Did something happen?" 

I hesitated for some moments before answering. "I don't know yet, but something feels... off. She's been acting different since she stepped out earlier, and after everything that happened with the last leak, I don't want to take any chances.

Hannah nodded, concern flickering across her features. "Got it. I'll watch her and let you know if I notice anything weird."

"Thanks." I patted her arm and turned away, but just as I did, I caught sight of Gabrielle near the fitting room. She had been watching me and Hannah talk, and now, as I met her gaze, she quickly looked away, pretending to straighten a mannequin's sleeve.

My chest constricted.

Was she scared because she was guilty? Or because she was in trouble?

Night finally came and soon the store went quiet. Spencer had gone back home upon my request, leaving just me and Gabrielle in the store. I closed up the register as the soft glow of the chandelier casted gentle shadows over me.

I turned my head to find Gabrielle at the corner desk, flipping through a notebook in some vague way. Her knee jiggled anxiously, and I could see her gnawing at her lip.

Enough was enough.

I crossed over, dragging out the chair opposite hers and sat down. "Gabrielle," I said softly.

She jumped and looked up. "Y-Yes?"

I held her eyes. "I know something happened today. And I know you're scared."

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. "You don't have to tell me everything if you're not ready," I added. "But if something is wrong, if someone is threatening you, I want to help."

For a long moment, she just stared at me, her fingers digging into the edges of her notebook. Then, just as she parted her lips, as she was finally ready to speak.

The doorbell rang.

Gabrielle's head jerked toward the front, her frame coiling like a spring. I also turned, my heart beating fast. Who could it be this late?