Where She Lies

Chapter 24: I've Always Hated Balloons

On the way to the hospital we stopped at a drug store and bought balloons for Quinn to hide behind. It would be kind of a red flag for him to walk around in the open. Right now I've gotten some of my happiness back after I lost it about a half hour ago.

"I can't see anything because of these stupid balloons." Quinn complains.

I chuckle as we pass through the hospital's lobby and to where the desk attendant directed us to just moments ago.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Quinn muses.

"Kind of." I shrug and make big, innocent eyes at him.

"I'm glad that I amuse you."

"So am I."

When we reach Wyatt's room I notice that Quinn hesitates and stands a few feet behind me.

"Maybe we shouldn't go in." Quinn sighs.

"It was your idea, remember? You thought that we could talk to him and get some answers. And secretly I know that deep down you want to visit him, so let's just go." I stare at him expectantly.

"Okay." He nods after a moment's contemplation.

I push on the door (wincing at the thought of all of germs on the handle from sick people) and it swings open. My eyes immediately train themselves on Wyatt. His sandy colored hair is styled in the bed-head look and his hazel eyes look fairly content as they meet mine.

"Hello Kimberly," His gaze focuses behind me, "And Quinn."

"Hello." I manage to say as I step out of the doorway to let Quinn through.

Quinn silently walks past me and over to Wyatt. He places the hoard of balloons on the bedside table beside Wyatt and just aimlessly stands there.

"You know," Wyatt glances at the balloons, "I've always hated balloons."

"I know." Quinn smirks.

"Uh, have a seat I guess." Wyatt's eyes flicker between us.

"I'd rather stand, but thanks." Quinn says as he walks back over to my side.

"Why did you come here?" Wyatt asks bluntly.

"We came to interrogate you." Quinn crosses his arms.

I snort and elbow him in the ribs. Surprisingly he doesn't even wince, just my luck, huh?

"Fair enough," Wyatt frowns slightly, "Ask away."

"Why were you hanging out with my sister so much?" I keep Quinn from talking.

"Like I said, I genuinely liked her. Then when she went missing I took the case and ended up finding her dead. It would've taken a toll on me emotionally to continue with her case, but I wanted to. The head of the department made me leave the case though, so I started doing undercover work. I talked to Andi and several others. I almost got Andi to help me, but then she died. It would've been a big breakthrough and I'm sorry that she died too. I used to be good friends with Andi." Wyatt answers.

Quinn goes to speak, but once again I get the upper hand.

"Before you were taken to the hospital you mentioned my mom. You knew about her, didn't you?" My voice tremors.

"I do," Wyatt grimaces, "I found out after I arrested your dad - I arrested the wrong person. Did you speak to him?"

"I did." I nod.

"So you know?" Wyatt frowns.

"Yeah," I stare at the floor, "I know."

"What am I missing here?" Quinn crosses his arms and looks between the two of us.

"Remember how I told you in the car that what I found out from my dad would have to wait until we were all together? That's what we're talking about."

"Oh." Quinn whispers.

"Listette was the one who told me about your mom, Kimberly," Wyatt continues, "I don't know why she couldn't tell you. I really don't even know why she told me, but she did. I'm sorry, Kimberly. I'll try to get your dad out of jail. I can't arrest your mom though until I get solid proof and until I'm out of this stupid hospital."

Quinn furrows his eyebrows at me but doesn't say anything.

"Okay," I sigh, "Thank you."

"Don't mention it." Wyatt smiles.

"Er, Wyatt," Quinn speaks up, "Back at the bar you told me that you never meant to kill mom. What did you mean?"

"Does she-" Wyatt starts to panic.

"Yes, Kimberly knows." Quinn rolls his eyes.

"Oh," Wyatt starts to calm down, "Well, I guess it's time that you know the truth. Mom was going to kill herself and we started shouting at each other when I grabbed her arm to stop her. She ended up stabbing herself and I pulled the knife out of her. Whenever you came around the corner and saw me I freaked out. I knew that I couldn't tell you she killed herself, you looked up to her and I didn't want you to stop. So instead I did the only thing I could think of, I told you I did it. It was a stupid thing to do, accuse yourself of murder to protect what someone thinks, but I did it anyway and I hoped that you wouldn't say anything. Luckily, you didn't after I warned you not to. I see that you've still kept your promise to this day, with the exception of Kimberly, of course. It seems that both of us ended up caring for someone in the McClain family."

"Can we go now?" Quinn shudders.

"Yeah," I say softly, "We can."

"Does this mean you forgive me?" Wyatt asks as we reach the doorway.

Quinn stops in his tracks and I bump into him.

"I don't know yet." Quinn says and then leaves the room.

"Stupid balloons." I hear Wyatt mutter as I leave.

I smile to myself and make a mental note not to ever buy Wyatt balloons again. I start to panic when I realize that Quinn left without anything hiding his face. Thankfully, when I reach the parking lot he's sitting in Esmee's car.

"I take it that you're going to explain everything right when we get to Esmee's?" Quinn says as I swing the passenger side door open.

"Yeah," I hop into the passenger seat, "I will."

"I'm getting the feeling that we're going to need a plan - a big plan."

"You have no idea." I sigh.

Quinn starts the ignition and drives us both to Esmee's house. It's kind of boring honestly because he hasn't said a word so far. I stare out the window at the passing trees and houses. I frown to myself when I remember that once again I'm missing classes. Man, this really sucks. Although, as I glance over at Quinn, I start to notice that maybe it isn't so bad. At least if I have to skip I get to spend the day with an understanding person - which is a new thing for me. He pulls into Esmee's driveway and we get out of the car. I notice him glancing at me every now and then from the corner of my eye as we walk up the pathway to her house. Once we reach the front porch both of us seem hesitant to go inside.

"Are you ready?" Quinn turns to me.

"Ready as I'll ever be."

I take a deep breath and twist the knob to the front door.