Exposed

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Blinking, I look at Matteo as he shuts the driver's door behind him. "How? How can we get him back?"

He puts the car into drive, looking at me, almost excitedly. "Because that asshole is a fucking addict. Cocaine at the least. I knew it. I knew it the second we walked in."

I gape. "How do you know?"

He tucks a piece of hair behind his ear. "Because I was one once, Em. His eyes are bloodshot, dilated. The sniffling. The white powder beneath his finger nails. You didn't see?"

I shake my head. I didn't even know what signs I'd need to look for. "There was a naked woman in his bed when I set Charles down."

Matteo looks at me. "The fuck? Why the hell does he even want Charles?"

"Maybe he wants money from the state?" I ask. "His apartment was shitty enough."

"Maybe, but I feel like it's something more."

"What are we going to do?"

Matteo stares at the road, but I feel like he's not even looking at it. "We have to find a way to incriminate him, get actual evidence and turn it into the police without him realizing. He'll get rid of everything if he thinks we suspect him."

"Is that why you offered to give him those things?"

He nods. "Yes, we have to bring those things in so I have time to look around his place."

I look out the window. "Do you think he's capable of hurting him?"

"I don't think he would. We had our first CPS visit just a few weeks after the court date. He should be getting one any day. He wouldn't risk them noticing... noticing bruising."

I breathe in, trying to remain calm. "But he could lose his temper. Matteo, when Charles wakes up and freaks out when he doesn't find us..."

I feel Matteo's hand rest over mine. He squeezes when I finally look at him.

"We'll have him back soon, Emma."

***

Richard stands up, clapping his hands together as his secretary ushers me into his unbelievable office. "Emma!"

I smile wider, walking around his desk, straight into him. I wrap my arms tightly around his shoulders. "Richard, I've missed you."

He pulls back, clasping my hands between his. "Did you get my flowers?"

I nod. He sent the largest red rose bouquet I've ever seen after the news of Charles went public. "I did. They were so beautiful. Thank you."

He presses his lips together. "Well, I know how much you care about that child. It's devastating how our court systems have failed us this way. When I divorced my first wife, she took everything including the children. Now, I only see them on certain holidays."

I shake my head and he rubs my back, gesturing me to sit. "You look well though. You're holding up nicely. You know, I was willing to push you coming back another week."

I shake my head, sitting down. "Sitting at home just drives me crazy. And I miss my work. You've waited so long for me. I'm truly grateful."

He smirks. "You're good at your job and worth the wait. I was all too happy to let go of the temp in your place," he says, chuckling. "He was rubbish."

"I will not let you down," I answer. I feel my phone vibrate in my purse and itch to get it.

He nods. "Well, I've got a conference call in five minutes. I'll let you get situated and everything. I'll check up on you later."