The Lies I Believed

Wherefore Art Thou Juliet?

Asher

I had been bluffing when I told Aaron that I knew where he was. I wish I did know. Brad and Jackson are working their tails off trying to get me the information I need. We've had too many delays and I couldn't afford to waste anymore time. I've gotten countless videos since the last one with the black screen. I've been plotting my revenge ever since.

Jackson had flown in last night, but we still didn't have any leads. He was searching for the place Lexi had been taken to first. He also handed me some files Aaron had been demanding we hand over. At first, I was skeptical about that being all he wanted. Then, I read them. I listened to the recordings. I figured that he was putting his life on the line to retrieve this information. I would, too.

I thought we were all dead when Lexi got a hold of Cameron's drive, but this was worse. Who records themselves saying something so incriminating? If these files were to fall in the wrong hands, I can name a few people who would suffer. Since I didn't have any affiliation with this group, I didn't have to worry about anything. Then again, they could easily pull me into the mix.

"Hey, how you holding up?" Jackson asked.

"...Better than anyone expected." I sighed.

"It's the right reaction for a man who's been through this before."

"I guess..."

"I'm sorry you had to hear what you heard."

"Is she really dead?"

"I can't say she isn't. If she is, then they could easily dispose of her body and leave. I guess if he went through all this trouble and still hasn't gotten what he wants, then he'll come for us. It's the waiting game, at this point."

"I don't like this."

"No one does. It's going to be harder on Brad. He isn't one to hold in his emotions anymore. If he hears that Lexi was killed, he'll freak out."

"And I'll be in danger, once again. I can't put my family in danger." I sighed again, hoping some type of good news would appear before me. "What more can we do than ask around and hope someone has seen her?"

"That's a good idea."

"What?"

"Ask around, Asher. She has friends all over the city. She's CEO of the biggest therapy chain in Southern California. There's probably lots of people who've seen her," Jackson exclaimed. "I'm sure Luca's parents have run into her. Especially if she was out and about any day last week."

"Of course, she was. I have our itinerary." I began typing away on my computer. "I'm sure she made changes to it after I left. She's like that. Everything has to line up perfectly with her plans."

"Good. Maybe we can conjure up a nice list of people she was supposed to meet."

"I can already say she had been meaning to drop by the company. It's not often we get to see them."

"Sounds a bit sad, but business is like that. Once Jenni joins us, we can split up the work." Jackson looked at his watch. "We have wasted quite a bit of time. You used to be quick when it came to cases like these. What's stopping you from swooping in and saving the day?"

There was nothing stopping me. I just don't have the energy to find her and she really is dead. The last thing I want to see is Lexi's lifeless body. Aaron did seem pretty relieved with the request he made before he hung up. I think he wanted me to hear that. Lexi had been quiet after the gun went off. Either she's dead or he had frightened her enough.

"I'm afraid I'll make a mistake and ruin everything," I muttered. "The more I think about it, the more I realize I'm not the husband I'd been when I married Lexi. I promised her that I would protect her. Look at what's happened. She's missing and I haven't a clue where she might be."