In The Dark

Chapter 15

I walk into the meeting room,  one wall filled with windows, phones, and inmates conversing with loved ones. I guess there's also weird couples when I notice two people kissing a window like they're making out with each other. I wrinkle my nose, disgusted, and keep walking to my designated spot, in front of Joseph. I sit down and look at him with a blank face, wondering if he will get angry about nothing as he usually does. Instead I'm greeted by his unnaturally pale, tired face. This sight softens something inside of me.

Before he can say anything I blurt, "I believe you."

He looks at me like a gaping fish so I continue. "I'm sorry before I didn't but I do now. I know you thought I was cheating on you and looked into it though." I say narrowing my eyes and he looks sheepish before finally speaking.

"I'm sorry it took not finding anything after going through three different private detectives and I still didn't trust you. I understand now why you broke up with me. I know you deserved an apology way before all this. And I'm sorry to sound ungrateful but why do you believe me after finding that out?"

"Because he whispered to me," I shudder looking away before continuing, "I would recognize his voice. You and Mason are innocent I just need to find undeniable proof." He wrinkles his nose at the mention of Mason.

"You need to know Mason was the last P.I. I went to."

"I suspected," I say guardedly. He looks shocked but moves on understanding I wasn't in the mood to talk more about it.

"Why do I feel like that's not the only reason you came to see me?"

"Because it's not the only reason I came. I just want to know if you knew anything that could help me catch the real kidnapper, I'm also going to see Mason about how to find evidence. I wanted to warn you also to be safe which means keep your head down." He nods and then we say goodbye. I talked to the lady and she said as soon as Joseph left they would bring in Mason. I think she recognized me and thought I'd need closure or something. Mason walks in and I fight to keep my eyes hard, his mere presence comforting. I may believe he's innocent in the kidnapping but I still have to find out why he didn't tell me about practically stalking me. His whole stature says depressed and it makes me want to cry. Trying to hold back tears creates an awkward silence since he doesn't know what I'm thinking or what I know. When I'm composed I realize I can use that to my advantage and continue to be silent, narrowing my eyes until he speaks.

"I didn't do it baby, I mean Scarlett.. I mean shit why would you believe me.. God this is so fucked up.." he lets out a long breath of air before going on. "Have you seen the evidence yet?"

I shake my head furrowing my brows a little wondering what they could have.

"They're going to show it to you eventually but sweetheart it's not what it looks like.. fuck.. okay I just want you to hear it from me first because God I'm falling for you which is probably meaningless to you right now, but I am. Okay sorry I'm rambling.. I knew Joseph before I met you." When I don't make any facial expression he closes his eyes.

"He hired me because he thought you were cheating. The problem is that I continued watching you even after that. I thought you were precious," he pauses when I wince at that word but then keeps going when I show no other reaction. "You were so amazing and deserved better, and well.. I wanted to give you that."

My eyes widen when he says that. It sounds worse than I thought. My frown has him putting his head in his hands in shame.

"When I was.. held captive... this time.. he showed me a folder filled with papers that showed you looking into me and even Joseph's part.. it wasn't very extensive and what you just told me has shocked me.. but I have bigger problems and we will talk about it when my real captor is caught." He looks up suddenly in shock, his jaw practically unhinged. I want to laugh but remember what's happening and sober quickly.

"I believe you're innocent and I need your help to prove it. And I talked to Joseph before this and told him to keep his head down, they are watching you both hoping you'll slip."

"You don't know how much it means to me that you believe me. I'm so sorry I couldn't save you," he pauses before smiling softly, "I heard you went badass ninja on everyone and escaped."

"Yep ha I'm the real independent woman, who cares about those women in politics." I giggle. His smile brightens and I feel like the depressing weight of everything has disappeared.

"I wanted to thank you for taking my call yesterday," he says catching me off guard. I look away and tuck a piece of hair behind my ear.

"Well, I mean I missed you and needed to hear your voice too honestly." He grins and we joke around for a bit before starting to make a plan.