Page 42 of Truth Forever
“Son, we can help you.”
My temper snapped. “I am not your son.”
The door banged open. But I didn’t look up.
“I think my client asked for legal representation.”
Cali.
For a second, I thought I was imagining her standing there.
“And you are?” The scraping of the officer’s chair was loud as he stood up, and that’s what made it real.
“I am Calista Drummond. I will be….”
“Cali.” Her name left my mouth, sounding strangled, and her eyes turned to me. For a second softness overtook her professional look but just like that, it was gone.
“Why is my client cuffed?” She didn’t miss a beat. “Is he that much of a threat?” She didn’t let him finish. “I would like him uncuffed, and then I would like some time alone with my client.”
***
“Cali.”
She didn’t look at me until she had settled herself into a chair. Her hands clasped in her lap. Finally, her face lifted, and there was no sign of the professional woman who had commanded the room just minutes before.
Her eyes glistened. “Hello, Truth.” Her voice was small. It came out croaky, and she cleared her throat. “How are you?”
How was I? Was she really going to sit there, just inches from me and try and make small talk like we barely knew each other? I could hardly stop myself from touching her, and she was acting like she didn’t even know me.
“Cali.” My hand reached out. The tip of my fingers sliding across the back of her hand. She jumped like I had scalded her, a small squeak escaping her lips, and I dropped my hand guiltily.
She was frightened of me.
Not that I could blame her for that. The last time she had been this close to me. I had threatened to end her life.
“You look well. I mean amazing.” I let my eyes drift down her body. Just like I had the first time I had seen her. I wanted her just as much as I had then. Maybe more so.
“Thank you.” She shifted uncomfortably. “But…”
“We need to talk Cali.” I reached for her again, and this time she didn’t shy away when my hand brushed hers. “I need to….”
She cut me off. “Yes we need to talk Truth but about this. About getting your out of here,” she raised her eyes to my face.
“You reckon you can do that?”
The look she gave me wasn’t a friendly one. Her lip curled. “I am very good at my job.”
***
She wasn’t just good at her job, she was really good at her job. Every time she opened her mouth just made me realise how I had never really known her. She had hidden so much of herself from me.
But had I really bothered to ask?
“Truth?” My brother was there, standing in the reception when I was finally released on bail the next morning. Cali stood quietly by his side. They had been talking softly but had lapsed into silence when I appeared. “You doing ok brother?”
I nodded, but I couldn’t take my eyes from her. “Cali?”
There was so much I wanted to say to her. Things I should have said weeks ago. But the words died on my tongue when she turned to my brother.
