Seeley's phone was ringing, Katie's warm smile popping up on the Call ID.
He looked at his phone. Hope she's okay. “Hey, Katie. How are you?”
“I'm okay. How're you and the Missus?”
“She's… Taking it a little rough, but we'll get through it. It's tough seeing her like that, y'know?”
“I wish I could say I can imagine. I mean, I can, but I don't think it compares to the reality…I'm so sorry.” There was a pause. She couldn't ask what she needed to. Not now. “Is there anything I can do?”
“I…” OK, she offered. “She needs to go through counseling. Just be there as a friend when she needs you.”
“Of course,” Katie called Ella every day. “How are -you- doing though?”
“I'm OK. I know what she's going through, even if it was…” He had to pause to think. “Twenty-something years ago. It gets easier.”
“I'm so glad she has you. And…I'm glad you found someone who wanted what you were offering.” She said with a small laugh. “Do you want me to send over a tray for you two to snack on?”
“Thank you. Sure! Your scones are awesome!” He paused for a moment. She'd be able to hear the grin and the twinkle from the way he spoke. “Something on your mind?” That wasn't her normal melodic laugh.
“Thank you! I'll send over a couple carafes of Booth's Blend.” She replied cheerily. Another pause after he finished speaking. “Yes. But I can't rightly ask, not so soon.” She replied quietly.
Seeley sighed. “Yes, you can. You know you can tell me anything, right?”
“I'm so sorry. But..my financial advisor sounds really stressed. And I asked her if I could do anything, send some scones…and she said 'Unless you can get me a direct line to the FBI with those scones'. I think there's something bad going on, she asked me to sit on my money for a while.”
He listened as she spoke. Sighed when she finished. “That doesn't sound good. I'll look into it. What's her name?”
“Summer Caldwell. She owns Caldwell Accounting in Manhattan.” She said quietly. “I can text you her phone number?”
Caldwell. Why did that ring a bell? “Sure, go ahead. Not sure it's a homicide thing, but criminal might be able to give her a hand, depending.”
“Okay. I'll send it over now. Seeley? I mean it, if there's anything beyond scones and coffee…let me know. And give your wife a hug from me and tell her I love her.”
“I know. I will. I'll let her know. I'll get her to give you a call, she could probably do with talking to you again. You could probably do with talking to her again. You sound rattled.”
A quiet pause. “I think it broke me. I can't think of ropes without panicking. They hurt. I'm bruised. I can't forget i–” An audible breath. “I'll be okay. I'm more worried about Ella. And my Master.” It hung in the silence. She wasn't a very good Kitten if he couldn't play without her panicking.
A deep breath. The exhale. “Talk to him. Trust him. He will understand. Trust that he will guide you back into the light.” A quiet sigh. “Katie? He loves you as you are. He will do anything for you.” He made a note to send Nate a message when he was done talking to her.
“I know. I know but the fear…the fear is…its a cage. I feel caged. Chained. I'll talk to him. I promise. You take care of yourself too, Okay? I love you, Seeley.”
“I love you too, sis. Take care of each other. You know he'll take care of you.”
“You two do the same. Bye.” The call ended, and Katie went to go wash the dishes.
Seeley tapped a message into his phone and sent it to Nate.
Go home. You're feeling sick. Katie needs you. You know she's scared of ropes now after the kidnapping. Help her forget that fear.
Next: Make me Forget
Next: Seeley Calls the She Wolf