The Spirit Tree by Kathryn M. Hearst Read Free Book Online Page B

myself. “I mean, that’s personal. It belonged to my uncle.” My reaction drew out the cop in Samuels. He stepped closer to the desk to get a look. Great, now they think I have something to hide. I motioned to the bag. “Sorry. Go ahead and look inside.”
    I turned my head and wished my office had a window. Instead, I studied the pale-green wall while the detectives rummaged through my uncle’s personal items. It didn’t take that long to check for snakes. Aaron had turned his back as Samuels studied the picture of Charlie and me. Samuels set it inside the box and closed the lid.
    “Satisfied, Detectives?” My voice cracked.
    Aaron asked, “Do you have security cameras in the building?”
    “You will need to speak with the director.” I stood as soon as the paramedic finished bandaging my leg. I slid my computer and the box back into my bag, and slung it over my shoulder. “Any more questions?”
    “No.” Aaron lowered his eyes.
    I did my best to storm out, but with the heavy bag, a crutch, and fresh wounds, storming turned into skulking. Neither detective spoke as I moved past them.
    My boss stood in the hall with his arms folded across his chest. “Where are you going?”
    “I’m going home. I’ll be out for a few days on bereavement leave.”
    “Policy states bereavement leave can be used only in the event of the death of immediate family members.” He puffed his chest out like a rooster. A big, cheaply dressed, balding rooster.
    “Fine, then use a few days of the seven and a half weeks of unused vacation time as bereavement, or my two weeks’ notice—your choice.” I needed to get out of the building before I imploded.
    “Policy doesn’t allow vacation time to be used in lieu of two weeks’ notice,” he snorted.
    “I’m in no state to be seeing patients.” I tried one last attempt at reason.
    “If you quit without notice, you can be reported for patient abandonment.”
    I dropped the computer bag and the crutch, ignoring the other people in the hall. “Refer my patients to Jenkins and Associates. I’ll be starting there as soon as I can bury my uncle.” In my mind, that should have been enough. At least he couldn’t accuse me of abandoning my patients. He behaved like a school-yard bully, unhappy to lose his favorite target.
    “Policy states that the therapist must notify—”
    Something inside me snapped, causing me to suffer from stress-induced insanity. This man had crossed the line between friendly boss and sexual harasser more than once. Words bubbled up from my belly. I growled to keep them inside, to not give him the satisfaction of seeing me completely lose it. I failed. “You heartless son of a bitch. Keep it up and I’ll file a report with the board for sexual harassment. It’s not only against policy, it’s illegal to grope your staff, or did they not teach you that in—”
    A hand rested on the small of my back, and Aaron stepped between us. “Miss Lamar, I would be happy to take your statement regarding sexual harassment.”
    “Not today. I’ll contact you when I’m ready.” I took a few steps forward, and they allowed me to pass.

Chapter 13
    I sat in the café with Hailey in the midst of a full-blown pity party, barely holding back tears. If I cried, I’d never stop. I fought my more basic instincts to drink myself stupid, or to call Ian for a post-breakup booty call. I didn’t want to explain the events of the morning to Dottie and Mae. I needed a few minutes to pull myself together. I needed lunch with my best friend.
    “Hailey, how is this my life?” I pushed my salad around on my plate.
    “It will get better. Look at this like cleaning house. You hated that job. You needed to dump Ian. Heck, you needed to clean your apartment. Maybe things aren’t as bleak as you think?”
    Hailey’s advice should have helped, only I didn’t want logic. I needed to wallow for a while before moving on. I told her, “I know you’re right, but it sucks all the