CLAIRE
The ride home was silent. Julian had called for the car while police finished taking preliminary statements from witnesses, while Nina coordinated with venue staff to secure the remaining pieces from my collection, while I sat in a chair backstage trying to make my brain work properly.
It wouldn't, every time I closed my eyes, I saw that man rushing toward me.
Saw the bottle in his hand, saw Julian jumping up from his seat. The car pulled up outside and Julian helped me stand, his hand firm on my elbow.n"Can you walk?" he asked quietly.
I nodded.
Nina hugged me tightly before we left. "I'll handle everything here," she promised. "The collection, the venue, all of it, you just go home and rest."
I wanted to thank her but the words stuck in my throat. She seemed to understand b
