The Ghost Of You

Chapter Fifteen

James

I didn't have much of a choice but to go back to work. It is the only way I could think of to get into the CCTV without it seeming suspicious
For all I know, Riley wasn't even here the night she left. But I guess this is the missing piece of mind I need
Everything else was a dead end

"James, we have a meeting in an hour. Are you ready for it?" Uncle Paul said as he came into my office that morning. I had requested the CCTV last night and was waiting IT to sent it across but they were taking their sweet ass time

"Of course" I said nodding to him
"How was your vacation? What did you get up to?" He asked looking over the shelves in my office
"nothing major, I went out of time for a bit and bumped into an old friend a few towns away" I said making him nod in approval

"everyone was worried about you, we all know how hard Riley's passing was for you-" He started
"is there a reason you're bringing up Uncle? This isn't exactly the conversation I want to be having" I reprimanded him
"I know, I just wanted to check in on you. That's all buddy" He said making me clear my throat turning back to my computer

"I'm fine" I said and for once I wasn't lying. I'm not okay but I am fine. I know Riley and the kids are out there somewhere and staying away for the time being is the best source of protection I can muster
It might not seem logical but if someone starts to think that things aren't normal in my life, they'll ask questions and that could easily put them all at risk

I just wish I had the chance to talk to her again..

I just want to know they are okay, I just want to know they are safe 

There hasn't been a time where I've been so nervous, so cautious. This was always Riley's area of forte, I was the one who just had to play it off that everything was going to be okay but this time I couldn't guarantee that 

I'm out of my grasps, I have no idea what I'm dealing with and I have no idea how to deal with it 

--

It was almost 10pm that evening and everyone had finally gone home. Uncle Paul and I had just finished up the last meeting and I was in my office finishing up the last of my reports before heading out 
I had been so swamped that I hadn't had the chance to keep an eye on my emails looking for the CCTV files 
So when I opened up the app on my desktop, that was the first thing my eyes zoned in on

There were almost a hundred emails in but only one flagged as urgent. 
As soon as I opened it I could see that there were three files. Three different time frames but only one I needed to watch 

I pulled up the evening that Riley left. The video started at 5pm, I had no idea when Riley arrived or if she ever did so this could take a while

As the video played in the background, my phone off to the side of me started ringing. Looking at the contact on the screen, it was Eldon which meant there was no harm in him hearing this video if something did come to light

"Hey man, what's up?" I asked putting the phone on speaker as I leant back in the seat watching the video in front of me 
"Hey, the boys and I are like 20 minutes from your office if you wanted us to swing by? " Eldon offered making me shrug my shoulders
"Sure, I'll let Sandra know you're on your way" I said before I sat up straight in my chair slamming the space bar stopping the video

"You good? That was loud typing even for you?" Eldon laughed
"Yeah yeah, I got to go. I'll have to reschedule seeing you guys" I said looking at the screen, my breath hitching looking at the frame in front of me 

I cut the phone off before Eldon could object, I knew he would have questions but they aren't ones I could answer right now 
"Riley.. What were you doing here" I whispered to myself watching as she walked into the office building 

"James it's 10:30. What the hell do you want?" Piper groaned making it evident that I had woken her up
"She was here" I said 
"Who was where?" Piper asked in her sleepy daze
"Riley came to the office the night she left Piper. She was here!" I said a little louder before being greeted by silence 

The video had continued to play but 5 minutes after Riley walked into the building the entire footage had been wiped. There was no indication of her leaving, which office she went to, who she saw while she was in there
All there is, is her walking into the building with the usual smile she always had on her face

"James I think it's time we spoke to mum and dad" Piper said as I pursed my lips together
"Piper" I warned 
"No, you know I'm right with this. This is bigger then you and I. This is bigger then Riley and the kids. They need help James" She whispered, I knew she was right. I didn't want to admit it but I know it was true 

"Something could happen to them if we don't do something, something could happen if we do do something. It's now out of hands" She said making me slump into my seat

"I'll meet you and mum and dad's in 10 minutes James. If you aren't there I'll tell them myself" Piper warned me 
"I'll be there" I nodded to myself keeping my eyes drawn onto the video 

I transferred the file onto a USB before heading out of the office. If we were about to drop this bomb on our parents. Then we would need proof

Please hang in there Riley.. I swear to god