Bill

"So...?" His voice was impatient. "Is it any good?"
I gave him a disparaging look. "You're a better cook than me and you know it."
He shook his head in disapproval and grumbled something under his breath and walked away to get started on my beverage.
My phone beeped and I pulled it out of my pocket meaning to switch it off but my curiosity won over my reasoning and I read the text.
It was Bill.
And my heart was pounding, my vision blurred and as I blinked my eyes to focus I realized I was trembling.
Do you have the file I want? He wrote.
I sank lower in my seat and nervously gazed at Roman. He was on the other side of the room. Everything seemed to speed up but my own movements were slowing down, even my quickened heart rate. He smiled at me and I did my best to smile back.
No, I need more time.
I gave you time. He wrote back three seconds later. Don't forget Jennie is all alone... with me
I gasped, jumping backward instinctively. Let's meet tomorrow then.
Should I get someone else for the job?
I sighed and typed, palms sweaty, No, please don't. I'll get you everything you need.
A cold wash rolled down my back and added to the weight in my stomach. I don't know what scared me more; the thought of what Bill might do to Jennie or what would happen when Roman found out I betrayed him. My heart was thumping painfully.
"Did you hear what I just said, Nuru?"
"I'm sorry, what?"
Roman and I looked at each other. He stood near the slightly opened fridge watching me carefully.
"Nuru, are you okay?"
"Yes," I lied. My voice sounded like sounded was stuck on my throat. I quickly pulled the phone back in my jeans pocket.
His eyes went blank, dangerously worried, as he paced to my side. His face was in front of me before I could even blink.
"My God!" he leaned into me. "You look like you've just seen a ghost."
"Maybe taking me to the cemetery was a bad idea," I whispered, failing at my attempt at a joke.
His jaw tightened and his eyebrows raised. "What happened?"
"I'm just sad because your banana foster french toast is way better than the BLAT omelet wrap I made yesterday morning."
"Sell stupid somewhere else, I'm not buying," he growled.
I touched his face. "I'm sorry."
"Tell me what's got you so scared."
Scared wasn't the right word. I was terrified.
We just sat there, I looked away from him as the tears streaked endlessly down my cheeks.
I hated the hopelessness in his eyes. He didn't seem to lose his patience as he trapped the tears with the back of his hand.
"Please talk to me," he begged. "I can't stand seeing you like this."
I half-smiled. "You're right!" My voice was still sad. "You don't deserve any of this."
"I'm confused."
I nodded. "What, did you manage to get my cappuccino ready?"
He frowned in annoyed disapproval. "Sure."
"I'll tell you all about it... someday, just... not now."
"Alright," he agreed in an unnatural even voice.
My guilt slowly subsided as the day gradually progressed.
"Tell me something," I said to Roman.
"What?"
"Anything. Just tell me something I don't know about you."
That threw him for a second. "Er... " his eyes were thoughtful. "Oh! Here's one. I was once Samoa Smith."
"Tell me more," I plead, slowly getting rid of the lingering guilt. I was going to betray Roman.
"He was —"
My voice came out in a high pitch, heavily reluctant with hysteria. "Don't tell me he had a wife or girlfriend, or he was madly —"
"Stop! Please don't do that to yourself, Nuru," he interrupted quickly, his voice tumbling with urgency. "Samoa was a chef actually. He had no girlfriend — obviously. Nor was he in love with anyone. That's when I had to learn cooking. He was the most interesting character to play."
"How many characters have you played?"
He frowned. "Too many to remember. We are speaking about a career nearing a decade."
"So why did all of you choose to be Reeves'?"
"They aren't Reeves, we just stay together sometimes, most of the time. We mostly work cases together."
"Oh! Kate?"
He leaned into me and smiled. The room brightened. "She's a Cox."