Page 127 of Hale Yes
Did she make up a whole new email just to insult me? She could have done that by text, or better yet, in person. I’d even let her punch me or kick me. Whatever, as long as I could be near her.
That’s when I see there’s an MP4 attachment. Without a second thought, I click on it, and after a few seconds I recognize it as the corridor outside my office. Checking the date and time stamp, I see it’s from Wednesday evening, the night the formula was allegedly stolen.
Is this the raw, unlooped footage from that night? Did Nicolette hack into our security system today to prove she didn’t hack into the system on Wednesday?
I can’t help but laugh. She’s got some fucking balls on her.
Fast-forwarding to around eleven, I see the fly do his thing, so I slow the video, and it doesn’t take long before a lone figure enters the frame. I’m so shocked to see an actual person, I suck in a sharp breath and hold it.
The person is dressed in black from head to toe, including a black ball cap with the hood of a sweatshirt pulled up over it. Theintruder is walking toward me, and based on their gait and body, appears to be a woman.
Though I was already convinced it wasn’t Nicolette, I let out my breath and do a fist pump when I see it’s definitely not her. This woman is very petite and at least a few inches shorter. The camera is at a high angle, and the intruder keeps her head down so her face isn’t visible as she uses a handheld device to unlock the door to my office.
I lose sight of her when she goes inside, but when she returns seven minutes later, she’s stuffing the envelope beneath her sweatshirt. The hood slips a little, revealing a flash of blonde hair, but she covers it quickly as she jogs toward the exit at the end of the hallway.
After watching the moments around the theft three more times, I send the video to the detective in charge of the case. The security company has been working to recover this piece of the puzzle, but my brilliant woman took care of it her damn self, and I’m so proud of her.
Then I hitreplyon the email and tap out a quick note.
Nicolette,
I know you didn’t do any of this. Deep down inside, I knew before I even watched the footage. My trust in you is strong, and I apologize I let that slip for even a second.
I love you, my queenie, and I know I betrayed you and hurt you, but I will spend my life making it better. Please talk to me and let me apologize in person. I’m under no assumption that you’ll ever take me back, but you deserve to hear me say the words out loud to you. I have a lot to explain.
All my love,
Helix
P.S. I sent the video to the detective. This should be enough to completely exonerate you with the police.
But when I hitsend, it bounces back asundeliverable.
Trying again, I get the same response. An undeniable itch starts beneath my skin, a sensation I don’t think I could scratch with a thousand fingernails. No, this particular itch can only be relieved one way…
With the truth.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
He who shall not be named but it rhymes with Felix
Nicolette
“Nicci!” my father calls, waving wildly as I exit the Newark Liberty International Airport on a Friday afternoon. I smile and release my suitcase, walking directly into his outstretched arms.
It’s so good to feel and smell Pop’s warmth, not awkward in the least, and I’m happy we’re getting to the point of normalizing hugs again.
Tears threaten, but I hold them back with a bite to my inner cheek. Not sure what’s wrong with me lately, but the tears I’ve held back for years now slide down my cheeks at the drop of the hat. It’s like my tear repressor has finally grown weary of repressing and gone on vacation.
“Good to see you, Pop.”
“You too. Where’s Helix?”
His name is a punch to the gut, and I have to work hard not to physically react.
No, I haven’t told my family about the breakup and all the other bullshit going on in my life the past couple weeks. I kept meaning to come up with an excuse to explain his absence at Angelica’s wedding festivities, but my mouth wouldn’t say the words out loud.
So, I paste on an apologetic smile for my father. “He said he sends his regrets, but an important family matter came up that he couldn't avoid.”
