Page 206 of Titus

“Well, it’s not. It’s a detention facility.”

“Honestly, though. What’s the difference?”

“A very important one.” The seriousness in his voice caught my attention. “Prison is where people serve their sentences.”

I remained silent when he put the SUV in park after pulling into a space.

He looked over at me. “Detention is where people wait. Titus hasn’t been convicted of anything.”

“Doesn’t matter. It still looks like he’s in prison.”

“Well, his freedom is restricted.” Marcus shrugged. “But that’s not the same as being in prison.”

I stared back toward the buildings. “Does he get to go outside?”

“Yes.”

“Exercise?”

“Yes. Ms. Veléz?”

I looked over at him.

“If it helps. You should know that Titus is angry.”

“Angry?”

Marcus nodded. “He’s not sitting in there scared, broken, or defeated.”

“That actually does make me feel better,” I said, finally unbuckling.

“And he wants answers.”

“I think everyone does.”

“I know.”

“And as you personally know, he’s not fighting this alone.”

“I know.”

Marcus opened his door. “Now, let’s get you in to see him.”

Marcus and I parted after I was finally cleared to see Titus. The guard led me through several secured doors before we were finally admitted to a long hallway. Every door in this place seemed to require a code, a key, or a badge.

I was surrounded by nothing but steel and concrete as we walked under fluorescent lights. The entire place felt sterile and cold. The sound of my footsteps echoed down the corridor as my nerves stretched tighter with every step.

This was where Titus had been living for the past week, and that realization bothered me more and more.

The guard stopped outside another door. “Wait here.”

I nodded.

The woman disappeared inside, and after a few seconds, she finally returned. “You can go in.”

I sat alone at one of the metal tables and tried not to stare. The visitation room wasn’t what I’d expected. Everything was bright. I was surrounded by white walls, beige flooring, and fluorescent lighting overhead.

Around me were glass-lined observation stations, and several other visitors were occupying nearby tables.