Chapter 30

Duane and Brian escorted Larry and Rebecca to the elevator. They all got in and went up to the floor. They got out and stopped by the door. "We can take it from here guys. Thanks again," Larry said. Larry and Rebecca went inside. "Let's go to bed," Larry said.

"I don't know if I can sleep."

"I'll be right there next to you." Larry said then walked with her back to the bedroom. They got ready for bed and climbed between the sheets. Larry snuggled up close to Rebecca. "Try to sleep, Rebecca. I will keep you safe."

"Did you know he was coming here?"

"I knew he slipped surveillance back in Ohio and the moving company was broke into."

"Why didn't you tell me? You said you would never lie to me."

"I didn't want to scare you."

"So, all the extra security was for me?"

"Yes," Larry said. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"I could have prepared myself better. I could have been more careful. Something."

"I didn't want you to lock yourself up here and be afraid to leave. I didn't tell you because I thought it was the right thing to do. I thought the extra security would be enough."

"Well it wasn't," Rebecca said. "Good night, Larry." Rebecca scooted out of his reach.

Rebecca carefully got out of bed around 2 am. She walked to the other bedroom and grabbed her swimsuit. She went into the bathroom.

Larry woke up around three and felt the bed for Rebecca. When he didn't feel her in bed, he turned on the light. He got up out of bed and walked around looking for her. He picked up the phone and called the security desk. "Hey Cody. It's Mr. Newman. Check the cameras for Rebecca, please." Larry walked back into the bedroom. "Is she all right?" Larry asked. "Thanks. I'll be down." Larry said then hung up. He pulled out his swim shorts and pulled on a shirt. He walked out of the bedroom.

Larry stood at the edge of the pool for a while watching Rebecca do laps. He took off his shirt and dove in. He swam next to her for a few laps until she stopped. She went over to the ladder and hung on to it. Larry hung on to the side of the pool. "I'm sorry, Rebecca. It was wrong not to tell you."

"It's done with now, Larry. You can't change it."

"I know, but I know you are upset with me for it."

"Why? Because I am down here swimming in the middle of the night?"

"Yes."

"I couldn't sleep. I was haunted by that man's face. It wasn't about you. You thought it was the right thing to do. You thought you could keep me safe. I get it." Rebecca pulled herself out of the pool. "It was like that night when I almost died all over again, but this time he had a knife." She went over and got a towel.

"I'm sorry."

"When he had me, all I could think about was you lying there on the floor wondering if you were alive or dead. Wandering if I would ever see you again. I fought him thinking of you. I love you, Larry, but I need to figure this out on my own."

Larry pulled himself out of the pool. "What are you saying, Rebecca? Are you breaking up with me?"

"I'm saying I need some space to deal with this on my own. You don't need to follow me and try to protect me anymore."

"All right, but you know I will be here when you need me."

"I know you will."

"I'll leave you to your swim then," Larry said. He walked over and got a towel. He wrapped it around him and picked up his shirt. He walked out of the pool room.

Larry came home from the office around one the next day. He went into his room and changed his clothes. He noticed Rebecca had finished bringing her clothes to the closet. He smiled. He went out to the kitchen and got a bottle of water. He walked back down the hall of the bedrooms to where he heard music coming from. He went in and saw boxes everywhere. He went to the back and saw Rebecca sitting on a chair looking at a photo album. Larry stood back and watched her for a few moments. "Hey, there," he said.

Rebecca looked up. "Hi."

"I just wanted to let you know I was home. I'll leave you to unpack."

"Larry, I'm sorry for how I acted last night. I was a little harsh."

"You said what you needed to say. Do you need any help?"

"No. I'm good."

"Ok. I'll be in my office then." He said then walked out.

Rebecca walked down to Larry's office door around six. She knocked on the door frame. "Can I come in?"

"You don't have to knock and or ask permission to come in," Larry said.

Rebecca walked in. "I didn't want to disturb you if you were busy." She said as she walked over to a chair in front of his desk. She sat down. "I know you want to help and I feel bad that I am pushing you away. I am not used to having someone in my life that wants to help me through my problems. Even when I was growing up, I had to figure out things by myself."

"I understand. You shouldn't feel bad. We all have different ways of dealing with things," Larry said.

"I don't want you to feel like I don't want you around. I just don't know how you can help me right now."

"Why don't we start off getting some dinner?" Larry said.

"I'm not dressed for dinner," Rebecca said. "And it would take me a while to shower and change. Especially since I only have one hand to work with." Rebecca smiled.

"I could help you so we could go eat." Larry smiled back.

"Well, if you don't mind." Rebecca said and got up.

"I'll meet you there is a minute."

"I'll be waiting." Rebecca smiled then left the office.

Rebecca and Larry walked down to the restaurant an hour and a half later. They went back to his table and sat down. Larry ordered drinks for the both of them. Rebecca glanced at the menu then put it down. "Do you have a handyman on staff?"

"Of course. Duane can handle the little things that I need. Why do you ask?"

"I unpacked some of my pictures that I want to hang, but I haven't found my tools. I just wanted to borrow a hammer and some nails."

"Do you know how to hang pictures?"

"Yes."

"Then I will get you a hammer and nails after we eat. Or we could ask Duane to come up."

"No, I can do it," Rebecca said. "I like to do things myself."

"I know, but if you need anything, just ask someone," Larry said. "Did you figure out anything else you need?"

"I started a pile of giveaway stuff, but I'll give them away when I'm done. I forgot about half the stuff I collected over the years."

"It happens, I guess."

"I know my computer was smashed, but I would like to see if anything can be recovered off my hand drive."

"Brian is already working on that. He got an external hard drive and transferring your files."

"Ok," Rebecca said. "I have a lot of books, but I don't know if I want to keep them."

"I'm sure we can find a shelf for you to put them."

"I haven't found my kitchen stuff yet," Rebecca said. "I only started going through the boxes. I was overwhelmed by how much stuff I had."

"Yeah, it happens when you move. When I got my first apartment. I just had my trunk of stuff. When I moved in here, I had to get a truck," Larry said. "It took me forever to unpack."

The waitress brought their drinks and took their order. She left.

"Now that the threat is locked up, do you think you can get rid of my security detail?" Rebecca asked. "I want to be able to be do things without being followed."

"They are just watching out for us, but I will talk to Duane," Larry said. "He feels bad about the security breach."

"This guy knew how to get around security. It's not his fault. Brian blames himself too. What happened is nobody's fault. The only fault is mine for starting it, but I don't regret it."

"I don't either. If things would have been different, I wouldn't have you in my life. It's funny how bad things bring out good things."

"Yes, it is," Rebecca said.

A woman walked up to the table. "Mr. Newman, Chief Rueben is here. He was wondering if he could speak to you."

"Yes Maria, send him over," Larry said.

"Yes sir." Maria said then walked away.

"I wonder what he wants," Rebecca said. "I hope he hasn't escaped or anything."

"I'm sure that isn't it," Larry said.

The chief walked over. "Sorry to disturb your dinner."

"Have a seat, chief," Larry said. The chief sat down. "What's going on?"

"Since the case is closed and there was no evidence in the car anyway, we are releasing it."

"Great," Larry said.

"I don't want it," Rebecca said. "I don't even want to see it."

"All right." Chief said. "What do you want us to do with it?"

"I could care less." Rebecca said sarcastically.

"I know you have been through a lot, but I'm just doing my job."

"I apologize, chief. What do you usually do with unclaimed items.”?

"They go up for auction."

"Then let it go up. I don't have keys for it though. You can just take it to a junk yard if you want."

"All right. I will take care of it." The chief said.

"Thank you," Rebecca said. "Excuse me." She said then got up and left the table. She hurried out of the restaurant.