October 10, 2023 – 6:47 PM
Lin had just finished reviewing Evan's notes when her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen.
Eric Dawson.
She answered.
"Hey, Eric."
"Lin, sorry to bother you."
His voice sounded tired.
"You busy?"
Lin looked at the notebook spread across the table.
"Always."
Eric laughed quietly.
"I won't keep you long."
There was a pause.
Then his tone became more professional.
"I wanted to talk about the two guys from earlier."
Lin leaned back.
"The bank robbers?"
"That's them."
"What about them?"
"We need to know whether you're willing to press charges for the damage they caused on your property."
Lin looked toward the window.
The crooked construction sign was still visible from the house.
One traffic cone had been flattened.
The gravel driveway had several deep tire tracks.
She sighed.
"How much damage?"
"Probably not much."
"Then fix it."
Eric laughed.
"It's not quite that simple."
"Why not?"
"Because technically they entered private property while fleeing a robbery."
"You caught them."
"Yes."
"They're going to prison."
"Probably."
"Then why do you need me?"
Eric paused.
"Because the prosecutor may want a statement from you."
Lin closed her notebook.
"Eric..."
"I know."
He laughed.
"You're busy."
"Very."
"But the property damage makes your statement useful."
Lin looked at the ceiling.
She had spent the entire day moving pallets, dealing with deliveries, watching a bank robbery unfold, checking a conspiracy forum, and planning a business that might never exist.
She was exhausted.
"Can I just tell you what happened and be done with it?"
"That's basically what I'm asking."
"Fine."
Eric sounded relieved.
"Thank you."
Then Lin added,
"But I'm not pressing charges."
Silence.
"You're sure?"
"Yes."
"They drove through your gate."
"I know."
"They damaged the driveway."
"I know."
"They knocked over a sign."
"I saw it."
"And you're still saying no?"
Lin smiled.
"Eric, I can't be bothered."
He laughed.
"That's your official reason?"
"Absolutely."
"Not 'I forgive them'?"
"No."
"Not 'I believe in second chances'?"
"Definitely not."
Eric chuckled.
"Just can't be bothered."
"Exactly."
She looked toward the hallway.
"I've got a hotel to run."
"A farm."
"A warehouse."
"A ridiculous number of animals."
She paused.
"And apparently a future wedding venue."
Eric laughed.
"Wait."
Lin immediately regretted saying it.
"Never mind."
"Wedding venue?"
"Business plan."
"Uh-huh."
His tone became teasing.
"Should I congratulate you?"
"No."
"Engagement?"
"No."
"Boyfriend?"
Lin rubbed her forehead.
"Good night, Eric."
He laughed harder.
"I'm just asking."
"And I'm declining to answer."
"Fair enough."
His voice softened again.
"I'll make a note that you're not pursuing charges."
"Thank you."
"And Lin?"
"Yeah?"
"For what it's worth, you're probably the only person I've ever met who can get chased by bank robbers onto her property and be more annoyed about a traffic cone."
Lin smiled.
"It was a new cone."
Eric laughed.
"Of course it was."
Lin smiled.
For a moment, neither said anything.
Then Eric's voice changed.
The joking disappeared.
"Seriously, Lin."
She immediately knew where this was going.
"What?"
"How are you doing?"
Lin frowned.
"Fine."
"That's not what I asked."
She leaned against the kitchen counter.
"I'm tired."
"I know."
His voice was gentle.
Not nosy.
Not judgmental.
Just concerned.
"You had a bank robbery on your property today."
"You've been working ridiculous hours."
"You've got contractors, deliveries, a new business, your parents, animals, and everything else going on."
Lin smiled faintly.
"You make it sound like a lot."
Eric laughed softly.
"Because it is a lot."
Lin didn't answer.
Eric continued.
"I'm going to bother you one more time."
"Go ahead."
"You should see a doctor."
Lin rolled her eyes.
"Eric..."
"I'm serious."
"I'm fine."
"Maybe you are."
He paused.
"But you've been running yourself into the ground."
"You don't have to wait until something hurts before you get checked out."
Lin looked toward the darkened window.
She knew he wasn't wrong.
She simply didn't like admitting it.
"I'll think about it."
"Good."
He didn't push.
Then he added quietly,
"And I'd like you to talk to someone."
Lin looked up.
"A therapist?"
"Yeah."
She laughed once.
Not because it was funny.
Because the suggestion felt so foreign.
"Why?"
"Because you've told me enough about what you've been through that I don't think you should have to carry all of it by yourself."
Lin went silent.
Eric's voice remained calm.
"I'm not saying there's something wrong with you."
"I'm saying you've been through things that would mess with anybody."
"Talking to someone doesn't mean you're weak."
Lin looked down at the countertop.
Her fingers traced a small scratch in the wood.
She didn't tell him about the apocalypse.
She couldn't.
But he had seen enough of her behavior to notice something.
The sleeplessness.
The constant planning.
The inability to sit still.
The way she checked doors.
The way she watched people.
The way she reacted to anything unexpected.
Eric continued.
"I know you're going to tell me you're too busy."
Lin smiled.
"I was going to."
"I know."
He laughed softly.
"So I'm going to make it easy."
"There's a doctor in town I trust."
"And I know a therapist in the next county who works with people dealing with trauma and major life changes."
Lin looked toward the living room.
Her laptop sat open on the coffee table.
Three photographers.
A marketing plan.
A website.
A future that might never exist.
And a past she couldn't explain.
"You really thought this through."
"Occupational hazard."
She smiled.
"You're a deputy, not a therapist."
"Exactly."
He laughed.
"Which is why I know when to call somebody who is."
Lin sighed.
"You know you're very persistent."
"I've been told."
"Annoying."
"Also been told."
"Nosy."
"Frequently."
He paused.
"Helpful?"
Lin smiled.
"Unfortunately."
Eric laughed.
"I'll take it."
She finally nodded, even though he couldn't see her.
"Fine."
Eric's voice softened.
"Fine what?"
"I'll make an appointment."
"Doctor?"
"Yes."
"Therapist?"
Lin hesitated.
Then sighed.
"I'll call."
Eric sounded genuinely relieved.
"Thank you."
"Don't make this into a big thing."
"I won't."
"And don't tell my mother."
Eric laughed.
"I wouldn't dare."
Lin smiled.
"Good."
There was another quiet moment.
Then Eric said,
"And Lin?"
"Yeah?"
"You don't have to wait until you're falling apart before you let somebody help you."
She didn't answer immediately.
The words landed harder than she expected.
Finally, she said quietly,
"I'll remember that."
"Good."
His voice brightened again.
"Now..."
Lin could hear the smile returning.
"...about that traffic cone."
She laughed.
"Forget the cone."
"Can't."
"Eric."
"You said it was new."
"Good night."
"Good night, Lin."
The call ended.
Lin stared at the phone.
Then she smiled.
Eric had called to bother her about paperwork.
Somehow, he'd managed to get her to agree to see a doctor and a therapist.
She shook her head.
"That man is dangerous."
She picked up her notebook.
Under tomorrow's list, she added two new items.
Doctor.
Therapist.
Then, after a moment's hesitation, she added:
Buy more traffic cones.