CHAPTER 22

"What are you doing here?" Melanie wondered as the two stepped out of the busy precinct hallways.

"I could ask you the same exact question," he replied, his warm smile ever present. "This isn't really a place for high school girls," he added.

Her face flushed, but she quickly collected herself and replied, "It's not exactly the scene for high school boys either, but here we are." She took a chance calling him that and prayed he wouldn't be offended. She sighed with relief when a playful grin spread across his lips.

"Ladies first," he urged.

"Well, a friend of ours was..." She paused, contemplating what to tell this stranger whose name she didn't even know. She could tell him about Nate, how they were here to check up on him, or she could tell him the truth—that she and her friends were here to help Amanda testify against Nate.

"He got caught up in some shady shit, and the police brought him in," she said. She hadn't lied, but she also hadn't been completely honest.

The look in his eyes said he knew she wasn't being completely truthful, but he chose not to press her. Best not to call her out on their second encounter.

He was silent for a while, looking down at her face. She did not allow herself to be intimidated by his stare and so she looked right back into his eyes, determined to hold the stare for however long she could.

"I hope they sort out the issue with your friend," he finally said, genuinely.

There was a look in her eyes, one that said there was no hope for this friend of theirs, that his fate was sealed. But she replied, "Yeah, I hope so too."

He could tell it was a lie, but again, he kept it to himself.

"Your turn, spill. What brings you here?"

He thought for a while, contemplating if he should tell her the real reason or not. He decided against it, too soon to let her in on his little secret.

"I had a personal issue that needed to be handled," he said, whether his answer was entirely true or not, he didn't know. "But it's already been taken care of," he assured her. This bit was completely true.

Melanie was about to speak, but she saw Benson's head poke out at the far end, signaling her to join them. "I should get back to my friends. It was nice running into you, stranger."

He smiled at that and replied simply. "Likewise." 

"Can I get your name as a parting gift at least?"She tried her luck, being fully aware that he deliberately chose not to disclose his name to her since day one. She found it intriguing, an icing to the mystery cake that he already was.

"I may or may not be at Poppy's Bistro tomorrow at five. I'll tell you my name then, if you can make it of course."

She gave a slight nod and proceeded toward Benson at the far end of the hallway, a wide foolish grin on her face. Had the stranger just asked her on a date? She was almost ecstatic, but was careful not to let it get to her head. Maybe it was nothing more than a meeting between acquaintances. She paused her thoughts when she reached Benson, who seemed too excited for someone whose friend was about to go to jail.

"They let him go, Mel," he announced. "He doesn't know what happened exactly, but the detectives just told him he was free to go."

"Slow down, Benny. What do you mean they let him go?" she asked, startled. Lowering her voice to a whisper, she added, "He was arrested for murder just this morning, Benny. They found the body. How is it possible that—"

"Beats me, Mel," the young man admitted. "All I know is Nate is free to go." As he spoke, Melanie saw everyone else walking toward them, smiles lighting their faces.

"I wonder what happened." She voiced her thoughts.

"Who cares what happened, Melanie? All that matters is Nate and Amanda are in the clear."

The thought of Amanda being done with all of it made her smile. "You're right, Benny. As long as they are in the clear."

Despite her happiness, she couldn't shake the feeling that they weren't getting the whole story. A few hours before, the police had everything they needed to put Nate away for a long time and possibly Amanda, but now they were being cleared of all charges? Something was amiss. Nevertheless, she showed her support to Nate and Amanda, even agreeing to going out to celebrate the news.

 *-*-*

Later that evening, Nate visited Farian, finding him in the library inside his mansion. It was nothing short of breathtaking. High ceilings with intricate moldings framed shelves of dark wood, filled with countless ancient, leather-bound books. A chandelier hanging in the middle of the room cast a warm glow, highlighting the scent of aged paper. Two antique desks, adorned with reading lamps stood at opposite ends of the room. Nate gasped, his eyes darting across the vast collection, feeling like he'd stepped into another world.

"Nate," Farian called, looking up from his book. "I hear you are a free man. Congratulations are in order."

"I guess I have you to thank for the charges being dropped," Nate replied, pulling back the chair in front of the desk.

Farian didn't reply, just gave a slight nod and a smile.

"What exactly did you do?" Nate asked as he sat down.

"I took care of it. That's all you need to know," Farian said simply.

Nate was silent for a while, deep in thought.

"Something is on your mind," Farian noted confidently, leaning back in his chair. "What's up?"

"Who was that man you killed that night?"

Farian was surprised by the question but hid it well. "Young Nate, that shouldn't worry you at—" Nate cut in.

"Don't give me any of that bullshit!" he snapped. "I almost went to prison because of that, so it is my goddamn business!"

"Watch your tone, Nate. The key word is almost. I handled it, and you didn't go to prison."

"And you think that was enough?"

"What more do you want from me, Nate? Need I remind you that you actually did half the crimes they arrested you for? You killed that man."

Farian was on the brink of losing his temper but managed to keep himself in check.

"You are to blame for that! If you hadn't turned me into…into whatever I am, I would never have harmed that man," Nate shouted.

"If I remember correctly, you bit me, so don't you put that on me—"

"Damn it, Farian! When are you going to accept responsibility? When will you accept that none of this would be happening if you hadn't shown your stupid face—"

Farian had had enough. In one quick motion, he moved from his chair, picked Nate up, and threw him across the room. Nate crashed into a shelf, bringing down some books. Before he could steady himself, Farian had picked him up again and drove a wooden stake through his chest, missing the heart ever so slightly. Holding him up against the wall, he said, "You were just some kid in the wrong place at the wrong time. Get that into your head! And next time I tell you to watch your tone, you better listen." He pulled out the stake and let go of him.

Nate fell to his knees, groaning in pain, his hands on his chest. He always knew Farian had a temper and always checked himself not to get under his skin, but sometimes, he too lost it and couldn't hold back. He knew Farian could end him in the blink of an eye, yet he continued to test his patience, maybe because something at the back of his mind convinced him that no matter how angry Farian got, he wouldn't actually do anything that would truly harm him.