Eighty

"Hey, Paige!"I said as affectionately as I could manage. Kyle's words kept ringing in my head.

No she won't bite. I noticed a fresh wound on her wrist and I also remembered that Kyle mentioned that she hurt herself.

"I told that idiot that I didn't want to see anyone."

My little confidence evaporated. Bad morning.

"I'm sorry. I just needed to see you."I said, carefully. " How are you doing Paige?"

She was quiet. I watched her stare at the table for a long time before I finally broke our silence.

"I'll be your lawyer. I was finally given the case. I just hope you will be able to trust me but I..."

"Did you say lawyer?"

"Yes. "

She was quiet again.

Wierd.

I decided to change the topic.

"I never thought you would change your mind. I mean, after our meeting yesterday..."

"You said Hope, Mrs Hope."

I laughed. "You can call me Hope. I'm not that old."

"I can see that." She said flatly.

"What is that?" I gestured to her wrist and her countenance immediately changed. I could have heard her swear if my thoughts weren't too busy imagining things.

"Do they touch you? We can sue them for that, you know?"

I was referring to the warders and I knew she understood.

"No." She licked her dry lips and looked up at me.

"I still don't get it. Why are you here?"

"To talk."

"Just to talk?"

"Yes,"I said, without thinking.

"I don't talk with strangers,"She hissed.

"Am I? A stranger?"

"Obviously."

I swallowed. "Okay, I came for something else. I have questions....l"

"You won't get a word from me, Hope. "

"But why?"

"You don't have any right to question me."

"I know."I winced, frustrated. Does she even know what is at stake here?

"I just wanted to ask if you had friends. Anyone I could reach out to."

"I swear, I don't need your help and you are just disturbing yourself. Or maybe it's joblessness. Do you even have a job? Who the hell are you and why are you so concerned about me?"

My throat suddenly went dry. If I had been alone, I'd have cried. I've risked all for this and this is what I get?

"You are being too rude, Paige!"I yelled in frustration. "I have a life too. I'm just doing my job. Is that a huge crime?!"

She was quiet and I had enough time to calm my nerves. So annoying!

"So, it's your job, huh? What do you stand to gain, pay? A promotion? Little wonder, you're all so fake. You are all the same. Leave now and I don't wanna see you again!"

"Fake? Gush!"

How else can I explain to her? 

"I'll leave!"

I stood up and hurried out of the building.

Calm down, Hope. Yeah, calm down Kamila. You need to calm down. You are sane. She isn't. Keep your calm.

I told myself as I got into my car. Thinking of where next to go.

I'm stuck. I haven't even started. I should go back, I need her to talk. Isn't that my goal? I should apologize.

No. I can't do that. At least, I deserve a little pride. Damn her!

I thought of something else I could do for the rest of the day. I called Kyle.

"Hey babe."

"Kyle, can I get the address of Kam's house? Where was his body found? It was his house, right?"

"Yeah, I'll check our database and send it to you now ."

"Oh thank you."

"Are you okay? You sound..."

"I swear I am."I said. "Get back to work. I'll be expecting your mail."

"Okay."

I hung up.

I thought while waiting for his mail I should get some fresh air. I drove to the nearest restaurant to clear my mind. I only ordered soda and sat alone to think. So when I get to the house, what am I looking out for?

I'm not a detective but I should be able to do something. Find something, anything.

I was still thinking when someone joined my table. I had to look twice to know who it was. The same guy, the...

What's his name again?

"We meet again, Mrs Dickson."

"Hm we meet again."I smiled. "Shouldn't you be at a crime scene or something?"I remembered he said he was a detective and he was working on a legend's case.

"Well, I took some time off work."

"What about you ma'am?"

"Same here."I winced.

"You're... A lawyer?"

He gestured to the ID card hung around my neck. I always forget to remove them when in public places. I suddenly felt exposed.

"Yes I am." I smiled.

"Wow. I must say, you look younger than I had presumed lawyers to be."

If that was a compliment, I wasn't taking it because it didn't sound like one. But, of course, I didn't let my irritation show in my face. 

"But something awes me about young lawyers. They always win."He chuckled. 

"Hm. Where did you get that philosophy from?"

"My years of experience."

If I should guess his age, then I'd say he's probably in his late forties. So his years of experience will surely mean many years. I've only been out of law school for two years. But that philosophy, everything about it sounds wrong and I concluded he was flattering me.

"Then, I pray your philosophy is right. "My phone beeped and Kyle's message came in, followed by his call.

"Sorry I have to pick this."I excused myself.

"Hey babe."I said.

"I've sent the address. Please be careful with that house. There are some too many guards there. They work with the police, but I can't trust them. Besides, if you would wait. I'll send someone to follow you there..."

"Come on Kyle. I'll be fine. It's just a house search and nothing else. I'll be fine."

"It's not just a house. It's a villa, Kamila, and there are guards everywhere. Please wait a while, tell me where you are and I'll send a junior officer right away."

A villa? Yeah, they're rich, but this is the least I would need him for. I can't stress him yet, not now.

"I'll be fine. Come on Kyle, you are starting to sound like I can't take care of myself."

"Not that..."

"Thanks for the address. I'll call you as soon as I step out of the so-called villa. Stay safe. I need to go now. Love you "

I hung up.

I went back to the table to bid goodbye to my new friend, whose name I don't remember and began my journey to Kam's house.