"Ok, so I do have an ulterior motive for offering you a ride," James said as he drove towards Reese's house.
Reese turned abruptly from the window where she had been immersed in her own thoughts and looked at James.
"Things are progressing really well with the club and I was hoping you could look over the final paperwork for me soon so I can get things going. I don't expect you to do it right now after what you've just been through, but I'm kind of anxious to get it settled so I can plan the big opening. Any idea when you'll be able to take a look at it or is it too soon to ask?"
"How about tomorrow?" Reese asked wearily. She wanted to get things settled as soon as possible too, but couldn't bring herself to think about anything at the moment. Maybe tomorrow would be better. Maybe she would wake up and find out this whole day had been nothing but a dream. She knew that wasn't possible, but she could still hope.
"Ok, if you're sure you're up to it. I don't want to be a jerk and pester you about it when you just got out of the hospital."
"No, it's fine. Just stop by my office."
"Thanks I appreciate it."
They rode the rest of the way in silence until James stopped in front of Reese's house.
"Thanks for the ride," she said quickly as she started to get out of the car.
"No problem. Are you sure you're doing ok? Do you need anything? I could come in for a few minutes if you want."
"No, I'm fine. I just want to be alone."
"Ok. I know we don't know each other very well, but if you need anything or just need a friend, give me a call anytime."
"Why are you doing all this? You don't have to do all this to get your paperwork looked at quickly. I was going to anyway, it's my job."
"I don't know. There's just something about you I like. If you don't need anything, I guess I'll see you tomorrow at the office."
As Reese walked up to the house, she heard James drive away, but didn't look back. She was relieved and terrified all at once to finally be left alone with her thoughts. She had to figure out what she was going to do now.
"Why don't you wait here for now and I'll talk to the police first?" Zara suggested as the group walked into the police station. She was trying to figure out how to put a logical spin on this that would convince the police they had a legitimate lead and she was a little afraid that her mother or Cassie might say something to make the police think they were all crazy.
"Ok, just make sure you convince them it was him," Cassie insisted. "I have to think. There has to be more I can tell them. We have to figure out where they are."
"Concentrate with me, Cassandra," Serena said as she took a seat. "We can find them."
Blaine shook his head as he took a seat along with Cassie and mumbled under his breath, "This is all too weird."
"So what makes you so sure your father is the one behind Vanessa Summers' disappearance?" the Lieutenant asked Zara.
"It just makes sense, doesn't it? My father was furious at Vanessa when he fled town and he's not one to do nothing when he thinks someone has betrayed him. I mean, he got my mother committed to a mental institution for years because he was afraid that she might say something to give away his secrets. Plus he left with very little and he wouldn't be above trying to get a ransom from the McAllistars. Who else could it be?"
"We've been following a few leads, Ms. Barrett, and we have our list of suspects including your father. I don't know what you expect us to do with your accusation. Unless you have evidence to show us that he's been in town or have a suggestion as to where we might find him now, honestly there's not much we can do with what you're telling us. We're already looking into your father as a suspect."
"That didn't do any good," Zara said as she walked back to where her mother was seated. "They already know about Dad and without any other information to add, just telling them it was him isn't helpful."
When Serena smiled at her strangely, Zara looked around suspiciously. "Where did Cassie and Blaine go?"
"Your sister knows where your father is. They've gone to rescue Vanessa."
"Goodbye?" Lucy repeated in disbelief. "Where are you going and for how long?"
"I don't know yet. I may be gone a very long time. Right now I'm not sure if I can see myself ever coming back."
"You're kidding me. You can't leave for good."
"I think it's the best thing right now. There's really not anything here for me and more and more I think being here isn't the best thing for me."
"Do you really think there's nothing here for you?" Lucy said, hurt that he wouldn't even count her as a reason to stay. "I thought you and I . . . I thought you knew how much you've meant to me as a friend and as more than a friend. Since we've met, I honestly can't imagine coping without you and not because of the work you've done for me, but because of who you are and how you've always been there for me. You are so special to me and if there's anything I can do for you in the same way, just name it and I'll do it. Justin, I would do anything for you. And I was hoping now that I've finally seen the light about Craig, you and I would have a chance."
Justin sighed heavily. He knew leaving and saying goodbye wouldn't be easy, but Lucy was making this even harder than he'd imagined. Looking her in the eye and telling her that he was abandoning their chance at a relationship was heart wrenching. It was much easier in his mind when he could tell himself that he was leaving for the sake of her marriage. "I would have liked that, very much, but even if I stay do you really think we would stand a chance? Our situation, the timing, it has never been right. As much as I want it to be, I can't see it ever working between us. Honestly, don't you think we would both be better off just saying goodbye now and going our separate ways?"
"No, no I don't," Lucy insisted. "Maybe it will be hard for awhile or even a very long time, but I know it would be worth it. You and I deserve a chance at least. Please don't leave me like this, not now. We could be so good together if you would just give us a chance."
Justin shook his head. "I can't, not now anyway. Maybe someday once we've both gotten our lives straightened out we might have a chance, but with the way things are now I can't see it happening for us. Both of our lives are a mess and that's no way to start a relationship, especially when your marriage isn't finished."
"It's as good as over, I promise you."
"I'm sorry, but that's not good enough, for either of us. I'm sorry. Goodbye, Lucy."
"But Justin-" Lucy called after him, but she was too late. He was already walking out the door and he didn't look back.
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