Chapter 30: Chapter 31: Neil Knew Everything

ELAINA

I put on my coat and peered out the window from the forty-fourth floor.

Well, shit.

Late leaving work, and it was already completely dark outside. The fall weather had arrived in full force, too. The temperatures were dropping, and the rain was falling.

The ride home on the train didn't worry me, but the walk to my house from the station most certainly did. Maybe I could call Mum to come pick me up in the car.

But I didn't like to do that. It was a risk I really couldn't take, and I knew very well why. Mum would be well into her G&T's by now.

I was pondering calling my brother, on the small chance he wasn't already committed to Friday night happy hour somewhere, when Neil stepped through to reception.

He wore a solemn look on his face and his coat on his back. With his briefcase in his hand, he appeared to be leaving work for the night, same as me.

"I'll take you home," he said, walking ahead of me toward the lifts.