Laurel’s stomach rolled. Jason had absolutely no interest in Haylee other than using her, and he never had. How could the woman not see that?
Haylee leaned toward him. “I’ve started school.”
Jason perked up. “You have? What are you studying?”
She straightened her shoulders and pushed her breasts out. “I’m going to cosmetology school.”
Nester frowned. “Isn’t she a landscaper?”
“She worked in a greenhouse and had a green thumb,” Laurel said. Haylee’s lack of a formal education had seemed to bother the woman.
“Why does she want to impress him?” Nester asked.
Laurel shook her head. “I can’t explain her motivations here.”
Haylee hopped in her seat. “I thought that would make you happy.”
Abbott smiled, slow and sure. “I love that you want to make me happy, Haylee.”
The young woman clasped her hands together. “I’ve talked to my aunt, and it’s a good field for me to pursue.”
“Well then, I’m proud of you. If I ever get out of here, maybe I can help with your schooling.”
“I would love that,” the girl gushed. Apparently, she’d forgiven him for holding a gun to her head and threatening to kill her if the FBI didn’t leave them alone. “Do you think you’ll get out?”
“I do.” Abbott turned his head to look directly at the camera. “I’m too smart for them to keep me in here. Besides, your aunt is an excellent attorney. How is your lawsuit against the FBI going?”
Haylee shifted in her seat. “My aunt isn’t sure there’s a great case there, because you did have a gun on me when I got hurt. But there’s a chance we can prove that Laurel Snow or that terrible Abigail Caine was at fault. You were drugged at the time, correct?”
“Yes. Abigail had drugged me. I don’t even remember trying to hurt you.” Tears filled his eyes. “I’m so very sorry.”
“What a liar,” Nester muttered.
Laurel nodded. “He’s proficient at it. Those look like real tears.” Abbott certainly knew how to mirror true emotions.
Haylee plucked at her pearls. “Please tell me you’re not still thinking about Abigail. About either of them. What a terrible family they come from.”
“Not at all,” Jason said smoothly. “In fact, I’ve forgotten about both of them.”
Haylee preened. “That’s so good to hear.”
Abbott looked at the camera again. “However, I doubt they’ve forgotten about me.”
Laurel watched the rest of the video, not finding any clue other than Abbott’s obvious stares at the camera. He’d already planned on escaping at that juncture.
Nester ended the video. “What do you think?”
The human brain would always remain a mystery. “I have no idea. What about you? Did you catch subtext or hints that I might’ve missed?” As hard as she tried, she still missed latent meanings and sarcasm. She lacked Huck’s instincts when it came to people, but she had studied facial expressions and micro-expressions.
“I didn’t see anything,” Nester said. “I don’t think Haylee would’ve been able to completely mask the truth if she knew Abbott planned to escape.”
“I agree,” Laurel said, somewhat relieved. “All right. Any more videos?”
Nester quickly typed. “Oh, yeah. Here is your wonderful sister.”
“Half sister,” Laurel corrected quickly.
“This video was taken two days before the one featuring Haylee.”
