I wouldn’t even go into what I’d done to her. Maybe turning her into a killer wasn’t exactly the best thing I could have done. But I saw something in her. This need and coldness at the same time. Almost like she was meant for the life.
Again, maybe it was wrong of me.
It was the only thing I knew. The only thing I felt like I had to teach and pass on. So I did because she clearly needed something.
“I’ll be going then. Take care of yourself.” I gave her a wide smile then made my way back out to my car.
We didn’t do hugs or long goodbyes.
I’d see her again, I knew it.
Once I was in my car, I let out a long breath.
I still couldn’t believe it. My brain was doing everything to tell me that I might be wrong. But I knew I wasn’t. It was her. The name alone told me I was right about it.
I had something now, that was a start. I headed out of that small ass town knowing there wasn’t more to be done. I couldn’t help them with their problem and I wouldn’t be getting any more answers out of them.
The whole way to my place up north, I tried not to think about it too hard. That wasn’t easy. I seemed to cycle through the emotions. I beat myself up for what had happened. I got angry because she’d been right there, so close and I had no clue. I became pissed that they almost seemed as if they didn’t know anything about the woman that had clearly been living with them for a while. Not even her last name. I realized that wasn’t fair of me. I didn’t know the situation, but it still seemed very much fucked up to me. Jessica deserved better than that.
I had always hoped she’d find something better out there. Then again, who was I to say that she hadn’t? From the way Nadya talked, the Paragons were good people, despite the wrong side of the law they walked on.
Yeah, yeah. I had no room to talk. I got it, I fucking did.
Oh, damn. Things had just gotten really fucking turned upside down. I didn’t know what to do now. I knew I needed a plan. I had no clue where she was but at least I had something. It was the only lead that I’d had in twenty years. I might have been crazy but I couldn’t let myself give up. All this time, all the thoughts that I had about her, it wasn’t something I would allow myself to let go.
I thought about my mom and my sister. They both had been so broken up after we found out she was gone. That night would forever haunt me. I should have gone over there and gotten her out. I knew the situation wasn’t good and when her dad came walking into her room, I just knew it wouldn’t end well. But I never thought she would run. I never imagined it would be the night that broke her. I was still a kid myself, in a way. And I didn’t know the first thing about what to do.
With a sigh, I tried to loosen the tension that held my entire body captive.
One step closer.
I just had to keep my focus on that.
Interview
Part 2
“How long have you been seeing Mr. Ramos?”
“About six months.”
“And you live together?”
“Yes, in that condo. He asked me to move in about five months ago, I’m sorry, but what is the importance of this, sir?”
“Were you aware that Mr. Ramos has a wife?”
“Umm… no, I did not know that.”
“So, I’m assuming that you’ve never met Mrs. Ramos.”
“No, I haven’t. How could I have when I just said I didn’t know that he had a wife?”
-4-
Jessica
“How long do I have you?” I asked Ray as I pulled up the sheet to cover my naked breasts.
