Nope.
The second key slid in with ease. Still, I didn’t gain entry. It didn’t budge. Confusion plagued me. I pulled in a deep breath.
As I removed the second key, my hand grazed the large black rectangle above the lock, revealing a keypad. The numbers lit up at once.
2266448
The entire keypad glowed in a vivid, chastising red. My entry wasn’t accepted.
8446622
I raised my fingers, waiting to be scolded silently by the red numbers. However, I was greeted with a bright green.
Urrrrrrrrrn.
I was invited inside. I twisted the knob and stepped forward. Vanilla filled my nostrils. The pleasant smell aligned with the beige walls and black accents, putting the final touch on the perfectly designed home. The interior was stunning. High ceilings. Large entryway. A winding staircase. A spacious foyer.
A single light illuminated the open floor plan as best it could. It shone over the waterfall island in the large kitchen. Underneath the center bulb, on the beautiful countertop, was something small and something black. I closed the gap between me and the item.
Upon inspection, I quickly identified the memory card. I removed it from the counter and headed toward the door I’d come into. In the study, there was a computer. I entered the room and took a seat behind the large oak desk. It was in pristine condition.
The computer screen lit up with the touch of a button on the sleek keyboard. I was prompted to enter a password.
2266448
The numbers were stuck in my head. I had no option but to assume they would grant my access to everything available to me in the home.
The home screen appeared, confirming my suspicions. I wasn’t wrong.
I entered the card into the reader plugged into the back of the computer. A blue light began blinking. I tapped the finder. The window appeared, but was completely empty of files, except for the external files provided by the card I’d entered.
I opened the first box titled Arbs*. Repulsed, I attempted to maintain my composure. My chest swelled with rage. Extensive research had led me to the beautiful family of Josiah, including his sister and niece.
Aubrey.
Her identity wasn’t up for debate and neither was Josiah’s accusations. I now understood Mr. Blackwood more. I now understood how he’d fallen from grace so gracefully.
“Scholar from kindergartenuntil senior year. Graduated a year early and at the top of your class. During your senior year, you were also taking college courses, completely obliterating your prerequisite list.
“By the time you reached your Ivy League campus, you were already three semesters ahead of your classmates. Your love for chemistry blossomed. Your hunger for education never faltered. Even after you’d graduated. All through your master's program your performance never wavered. Your doctoral program proved more of the same.
“You’ve sat in rooms at tables alongside people who were light-years ahead of you in the industry. Still, you managed to make fools of them all with your sharp yet studious nature. You led pharmacy after pharmacy to success, even when they were sinking. And after gaining the experience you assumed you needed, you started Blackwood Pharmaceutical.
“BP hasn’t experienced a bad year… quarter… month… week… day… hour… minute… second… Not until now. Not until you were accused of murder. Tell me–”
I wished I could recant.I wished I could’ve asked a different question. A less condemning one. One that wasn’t as personal. For me. Because, I was desperate to know how myperfect gentleman had ended up with cuffs around his hands and legs.
Just like my Teddy.
I wanted his story. I needed his story. I needed his reason. His why. It fueled my fire. It pushed me into overdrive. It helped each case I represented. It would help his.
Tears welled in my eyes.
“Whew. Okay,” I urged, “Focus, baby. Focus.”
Still, they fell. They fell hard, crashing onto the keyboard.
Oh please, baby.
