Love's Deception

Chapter 35 - Press Conference

Denial is a strong way to go about things. Denial is where you declare something is untrue. Does that mean it's really untrue? Or are you trying to convince others, and yourself, that it's untrue?

Why would you try to deny something that is true? I mean, is there any reason why you should? If something is true, own up to it and say it's true. Don't try to pass it off as something it's not. That can cause damage.

And I don't just mean physical or metaphorical damage. It can cause real, raw, and emotional damage. This can happen to people you really care about, is that what you want? Denying what you don't want to be known, and letting it cause emotional damage to someone you care about, someone you could even love? Tell me, is it worth it?

****

Things today are a little busy at the field office due to the press conference. Everyone is running around, getting the information needed, making sure there are no leaks before we go on the air, and making sure the news crews stay outside until it's time for us to go outside for the press conference.

Cam and I didn't have to come until 11, but I showed up at our normal time, and as if we have a psychic connection, so did Cam. We both used our morning to work more on the case that we were assigned. We did some good work today despite me being so nervous about this press conference.

It'll be broadcast on local and national news. Everyone who watches the news will see it. Everyone, including Jace. What will he have to say about all this? Will this only make him think that I never cared about him? I hope now.

I'm snapped out of my thoughts when Cam taps me on the shoulder. I'm sitting in a chair, with my legs crossed in the little makeshift office that we've created.

"Are you okay?" Cam asks.

"Yes," I look back to the whiteboard, "Where were we?"

"We were about to come up with a profile of the suspect."

I blink and then say, "Oh yeah. Uh, male, around the ages of late 30s, early 40s. Tends to be more of a homebody, feels a need to prove himself due to his secluded nature. Maybe like a mama's boy?"

Cam writes down what I say and then closes the file. He checks his watch, "It's ten to 11. Should we get to Billings' wing?"

I stand up, "We should."

Cam and I make the long walk to the other side of the building. When we arrive there are tons of people walking around. I search for Billings and find him in the conference room with Paige and the Bureau Liaison.

We walk into the conference room and Billings greets us happily, so does Paige. I look around the conference room and remember the last time I was here. It was before everything happened before Jace broke up with me.

Everything brings me back to Jace. Everything. I can't get him out of my head. But I don't want to be that person that can't get over their ex, even if he's over me already.

I sit across from the liaison and she introduces herself to me, "Hi, Agent Warren, Agent Jones. I'm Agent Pearson."

Cam sits next to me and I smile at her. Agent Pearson opens a file and hands us each a slip of paper. She tucks a strand of her black hair behind her ear.

"These are topics that you are not allowed to disclose to the media today at the press conference."

I take a look at the list: undercover status/alias, specific details of individuals involved, events of the arrest, other individuals arrested.

I look up at her, "This isn't a lot."

"This all happened in the Dyer Hotel, is Agent Warren allowed to discuss the Dyer's since I'm sure people will have questions?" Cam asks.