Page 32 of Diluted Truths
“Well, I was actually going to ask if you could go on your own and maybe ask some questions for me. Theo has a meeting with her lawyer about custody and asked if I could watch Vi. Would that be okay?” Jackie asked apprehensively.
I looked at her, initially confused because I thought she wouldn’t let anything get in the way of her work. However, I was beginning to realize that she loved her job, but she loved her family more. Oh how lucky would it be to be loved by Jacqueline James.
“That’s totally okay. I can do this. Leave me a list of your questions for me to ask,” I responded, in awe of this woman.
She took my hand and gave me the slightest squeeze. “Thank you, Will.”
We sat there for a moment, neither wanting to be the first to let go. I noticed that the longer I was around her, the more I wanted to keep her close. I had never allowed myself to grow close to anyone, at least not close enough to give them a chance to find the skeletons in my closets. I knew I couldn’t let her close to that darkness, but damn was it tempting.
Shewas tempting.
That night I laid in Violet’s tiny bed under princess sheets contemplating how tempting her lush lips were, and her gorgeous blonde hair. Even the next morning as I got ready and headed out, she took up every one of my thoughts.
As I approached the accounting firm where Carter worked, I did my best to push those thoughts about Jackie out of my mind and focused on her list of questions she had given me at breakfast.
“Hi! How can I help you?” the perky blonde receptionist asked as I entered. She was beautiful and the usual woman I went for, but her blonde hair was the wrong shade and her eyes not the brown I had grown to long for.
“Hi, I’m here to see Carter Reagers,” I respondedcoolly.
“Do you have an appointment, Mr…?” She asked with a slightly flirty tone.
“William, Dr. William Bly. And no, I do not, but it's urgent,” I stated, hoping she got the point I wasn’t interested.
“Well Dr. William Bly, you are lucky, his schedule is clear. Follow me on back,” she stated as she began to lead me towards what I assumed was his office. She knocked to let him know we were here.
As I entered the office, I was taken aback by the exhausted man in the chair before me. His brown hair was dull and mussed. He had dark circles lining under his eyes. I could see the resemblance between Joey and Carter. Same color hair, eyes, similar bone structure. They both shared a similar distant look in their eyes as well.
“Mr. Reagers, this is Dr. William Bly,” the receptionist stated as she exited.
“Thanks, Ashley. Take a seat, William. What can I help you with today?” Carter stated as he gestured to the chair across from his desk.
“Well Carter, I am here to talk about Joey.”
Carter looked shocked by my statement. I guess I would be if a stranger asked me about the son I abandoned. “Excuse me? Who are you?”
“Carter, as I stated I am Dr. Bly. I met with your son and wife yesterday about his disappearance. You know, the family you abandoned?” I exclaimed in a matter of fact tone. I needed answers from this man, but I wouldn’t let him free of the guilt he has for his actions. “They said some interesting things about you, and your thoughts about your son. It got me thinking that maybe you know more than you’re letting on about his disappearance.”
“Dr. Bly, this is not the place…” Carter started, but I quickly interrupted.
“I also noticed that you took all of the photos in the house of Joey. Strange behavior, you know, to take the pictures of your son that you abandoned and who subsequently went missing.”
“Are you insinuating that I kidnapped my own son?” Carter asked, clearly offended.
“Did you?” I asked as I stood and began to look around his office. It was a tactic I learned from my father. If you acted like you own the place, people would be more likely to submit to you.
“N-no, of course not. I would never do anything to hurt my son!” Carter sputtered in his chair.
“Oh, yes, you wouldn’t hurt him. Just abandoned him and his sister with no explanation?” I responded in a calm tone. I needed to show him who was truly in charge in this situation. It’s how I would get the truth from him.
“I had to!” Carter exclaimed.
“That makes sense. You were forced to leave your wife to pay the bills, deal with your kids, and their expenses. You were forced to be of no help when your only son went missing. For five days,” I stated as I approached the desk and rested my palms on the edge to exert my dominance.
“You don’t understand! It was the only way to keep him safe! The only way to keep them all safe!” Carter bellowed at me.
Okay, now we were getting somewhere. “Safe from what? From who?”
“I don’t know its name,” said Carter.
