Ava drove to Brandon’s in a daze. Both his and Justin’s voices played in her head. She didn’t know who or what to believe. One fact she couldn’t overlook is she found Justin in a secret underground bunker on Brandon’s property. His outward condition and injuries would back up his claims to anyone else. It proved nothing to her because of the lies he had already told.
When she arrived, Brandon had just exited his car. She parked behind him. “Did you just get home?” she asked.
“I thought you were waiting for me. Did you go somewhere?”
She walked towards him. “After the power had gone out the house turned into an ice cube, so I drove into town and waited until I heard from you in the cafe.”
“I have wood for the fireplace in the shed.”
“You know I’m not stepping a foot in there.”
“Chicken,” he laughed, placing his arm around her. “Let’s see if we have power yet.”
She followed him up the porch steps thinking how she will get through the night with the multitude of questions floating around in her head. When she entered the house not only were the lights on, but the aroma of her dinner was still in the air. “Smells good,” said Brandon turning to her.
“Are you hungry? I can fix a plate.”
He placed his work bag on the floor and grabbed her hand. “I’m beat. I think I’ll pass. Can you put on that outfit you wore in your picture? I’m dying to see it on you.”
She forced a smile. “Sure.” With her hand in his, she allowed him to lead her into the bedroom. He removed his shoes and fell onto the bed, propped up by pillows behind his head.
“I’ll be right out,” she said, before entering the bathroom. She turned on the lights and sat on the closed toilet seat. With her hands covering her face, a stream of tears flowed from her eyes. The questions she had avoided floated through her mind. What if Justin is telling the truth? Why would Brandon go to such lengths to remove him from her life? Oh God, what if Brandon has framed Justin for murder? Ava grabbed a tissue to wipe her eyes. She had to get to the truth, and she’ll begin with Justin first.
Ava exited the bathroom ready to tell Brandon she was too tired and only wanted to sleep. When she entered the bedroom, she found him sound asleep, snoring. A wave of relief filled her body. She turned off the lights and made her way upstairs to the guest bedroom. Before she fell asleep, she sent Meghan a quick text to ask about Justin. She responded stating after she bandaged him, he fell asleep on the couch. She thanked her for her help and told her she would see her in the morning.
Chapter Thirty
Ava waited until after Brandon left for work before, she dressed and headed to Meghan’s. She’d told him she had several errands to run, and she would be out most of the day. Along the way, she stopped at a department store that opened at the crack of dawn and purchased two outfits for Justin. Not knowing his exact size, she chose clothing with a range of small, medium, or large. She guessed he was somewhere between medium and large.
When she made it to Meghan’s, she was waiting, dressed for work. “How was he last night?” asked Ava glancing over her shoulder hoping to see Justin.
“I assume he slept through the night. I made breakfast, there are leftovers if you want some.”
“Thanks, did he talk much?”
“If you’re asking if he told me where he’s been, the answer is no.”
“Thank you for everything, Meghan. I’ll call you later.” Ava entered the home as her friend made her way to her car. “Morning, I brought you a change of clothes and toiletries,” she said, as Justin met her sipping a cup of coffee. He placed his mug down and peered into the bag.
“Thank you. Will you wait while I shower?”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
He gave her a warm smile before disappearing down the hall. Ava poured herself a cup of coffee while she waited. She thought of what she wanted to say to him and simultaneously tried to prepare herself for what he might say in return. Things about Brandon that will be impossible to comprehend.
“How do I look?” asked Justin,when he emerged from the bathroom.
She turned and couldn’t help but laugh. The black sweatpants she’d purchased were much too big. He had to fold the waistband over several times for it to fit around his waist. At least the shirt was a perfect fit. “I was torn between the medium and large. I choose the large because of your height.”
“I believe my weight loss is more to blame.”
Ava glanced over his frame. She didn’t notice last night, but he appeared five to seven pounds lighter. “How often did you eat?”
Justin frowned, and for the first time, she noticed a hint of anger in his eyes. “I didn’t starve. Thanks for the clothes it’s better than what I had.” He stroked his now smooth jawline. “I’m happy to have gotten rid of the beard.”
She placed her empty coffee mug into the sink. “How can you remain calm after what’s happened to you?”
“Who said I’m calm?”
She stared at his face and tried to read his expression. Whatever he felt inside, he wouldn’t allow it to surface. “Are you still in pain?” she asked.
“It’s mild. Meghan fixed me up pretty good.” He reached for her hand. “Enough about me. How are you? I’m sure you didn’t get much sleep.”
She shrugged. “It was a rough night. Brandon fell asleep as soon he got home, so we didn’t talk much. He’s at work now.”
“I didn’t ask about him. I want to know how you’re doing.”
“As well, as can be expected.”
He eyed her strangely. “You’re not dressed for work. Are you going in later?”
“I quit.”
“You what?”
“A lot has happened.”
“I see. So, are you ready to talk about it?”
“Yes and no. I want to believe you, but I’m having a hard time. Brandon is an officer of the law who takes his vow to protect and serve seriously. The number of laws you’re suggesting he has committed is unimaginable.”
“Are you saying it’s easier for you to believe I killed someone, instead?”
Ava exited the kitchen as he followed her into the living room. They sat beside each other on the sofa. She turned to face him. “Why didn’t you tell me Phillip Ramsey was your stepfather?”
“Why would I? I barely had a relationship with the man.”
“Because Justin, he was the person who stalked me. You never once mentioned your relationship to him.”
He furrowed his brow which caused his eyes to narrow. “Ava, I swear to you I had no idea until Brandon mentioned it.”
“Brandon?”
“That’s the reason for this.” He pointed to his black eye. “He wanted me to pay for Phil’s crime.”
“He had no right.” She placed a finger on each temple and rubbed it in a circular motion. The more she learned, the more convoluted the details become in her mind. “You say you didn’t have a relationship with Phillip, right?”
“No. It was nonexistent.”
“The police have your phone records indicating you called him.”
Justin nodded his head. “That was the first time in years I had spoken with him, and it was only as a favor to my mother.”
“The mother who lives in Atlanta.” She scoffed.
“On paper only. She and Phil separated years ago, and she refuses to divorce him until he has enough money to pay her alimony. She called to ask if I would meet with him because he had a business proposition. I wasn’t interested, but willing to hear him out because of my misguided loyalty to my mother. Ava you can’t fault me for something I wasn’t aware of.”
She glared at him. Angry he couldn’t understand the reason she’s upset. “You shared with me about your brother Jack dying in a car accident but didn’t mention a word about your mother and who she’s married to. You can’t share bits and pieces of your life when I’ve bared my soul to you. I’ve shared my darkest and happiest moments of my life, when you’ve li
ed by omission at every turn. Now, you expect me to believe Brandon is this crazed mastermind.”
He reached for her and tried to pull her into an embrace. She jerked her arms away.
“Can you try to see this from my point of view?” she asked. “I had to learn from the police your mother is married to the man who stalked me. This is the man who disappeared from my life only to reappear after I met you.”
“I can see how that might seem suspicious.” Justin closed his eyes and sighed. “When I was in high school, my mother moved to Atlanta and during the holidays I would visit her. The relationship between Phil and me was tumultuous. Once I turned eighteen my visits were less frequent until it ceased altogether.”
“What is the status of your relationship with your mom?”
He shrugged. “It is what it is. Meaning, I hope one day in the future it’ll improve.”
“And Phillip? How did he end up with a bullet to the back of his head?”
Justin shrugged. “Don’t know. He never showed for the meeting. I left and came home to you.”
"Yeah, and you looked as if you had been in a fight. Remember your tousled hair and disheveled clothing?"
"I do. I 'd met with a contractor and had to do some dirt digging."
“Okay, that makes sense. Well, how do you explain your fingerprints on the gun?”
He moved his gaze downward with a hand on his chin, like he was in deep thought. “Brandon,” he finally said. “He came down to where he held me and forced my hand on a gun I had never seen before.”
She couldn’t wrap her mind around the nightmare that has unfolded. Her gut shouted for her to believe Justin, but her heart didn’t want to accept Brandon would go to such lengths to win her back. The saddest part of all, it almost worked.
“I know you doubt my account of what happened that night. But I swear to you, I’m telling the truth. Think back to the last night we shared. Do you really believe after what we said to one another I would leave you? That I would go two months without calling you.”
“I didn’t want to believe any of what the police said, but the evidence continued to add up.”
“Ava, I’m sorry I failed to mention my dysfunctional family dynamics. It doesn’t compare to what Brandon has done.”
She expelled a heavy breath. “I know. I’m sorry this has happened to you. I feel like it’s my fault,” she said.
“There’s one person to blame, and once I clear my name, he will pay.”
“This is my battle, not yours. I took what Brandon said at face value. I should have known he wasn’t ready to accept my relationship with you. I can only fix this by proving your innocence.”
“How?”
“Well, we can’t go to the police because they won’t believe us without proof. I have to stay with him until I can get enough evidence.”
“Absolutely not! He is out of his mind, who knows what he’ll do next.”
“Justin, what choice do I have? Brandon has framed you for murder and the police now consider you a fugitive on the run. All I have to do is get proof he framed you then you can get your life back.”
“How long before he realizes I’m gone? Then what?”
“I took the keys and hidden them. For now, he’ll think they’re misplaced. Don’t worry, because I have a plan.”
“I can’t help it.” He gazed into her eyes. “The entire time I was locked away, all I did was worry about you. I didn’t curse the stars for what I’ve lost, my one and only concern was you. It’s funny how solitude forces you to put your life into perspective.”
“What do you mean?”
“I watched everything on those monitors. I believe he purposely cut the sound so I wouldn’t hear him incriminate himself, but I saw every interaction between you two.”
Ava lowered her eyes. “I was distraught when I thought you had left. It was one horrible revelation after another, and he was there to help me through it.”
“You don’t have to explain. I saw the truth in your eyes.”
“The truth?” She eyed him in a curious manner.
“I could see in your face you weren’t happy.”
She shifted her position away from him. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I know when you’re truly happy because your smile lights up your entire face, your eyes have a certain twinkle to them, even your laugh becomes lighter.”
It amazed her how he noticed things about herself that no one else does. “You saw all of that through a black and white screen?”
“And much more.”
Ava frowned. Just thinking of him locked away in that room by Brandon infuriated her. “I’m sorry he did this to you.”
He remained silent as he moved off the sofa. The change in his demeanor was like a light switch. His eyes became full of rage and tension, his nostrils flared, and his mouth formed a snarl. Ava continued to sit and watched as he entered the kitchen. It seemed the anger he tried to stuff down had finally boiled to the surface. He placed three pancakes Meghan had on a platter into the microwave. His hand fell to his side and formed a fist. He turned to face her. “That crazed son of a bitch has cost me my freedom, my reputation, and has thrown a bomb in between what you and I have built.” He snatched a glass from the counter and smashed it against the wall.
Ava rushed to his side as the shards of glass spread across the floor. She cupped his face and forced him to focus on her. “We won’t let him win, okay? I will do whatever necessary to give you back your freedom and reputation.”
He gripped her wrists to remove her hands from his face and stepped away. “I’m sorry I lost my temper.”
Ava retrieved the broom from the closet and started sweeping the glass from the floor.
“Let me,” said Justin.
She shook her head. “I’ll do it. You need to eat.” She removed his pancakes from the microwave and handed it to him. “It’s important you regain your strength.”
He sat at the kitchen table and watched her clean the floor. “I must find out what’s happened with my business, and…”
“You can’t leave this house! I’ll take care of whatever you need. Promise you’ll sit tight.” She dumped the broken glass in the trash can.
“Promise.”
“I’m about to take off.” She placed her keys in one hand and the strap of her purse in the other.
“Wait, before you go,” he said, right on her heels. “Once the police clear me of these bogus charges, there’s something I would like for us to discuss.”
“Why wait? I have a few minutes. We can talk now.”
“It’s a conversation best suited for later.”
“Well, make sure you eat and stay hydrated.”
His lips formed a half smile. “Anything else, doctor?”
She returned his smile. “Keep your cool. I promise by the end of the week, you will have your life back.”
Chapter Thirty-one
Ava sat behind the wheel of her car. She turned on the ignition but hadn’t moved an inch. She sat numb and in total disbelief, staring at nothing in particular, lost in her thoughts. How could he have done this? Brandon manipulated her into believing the man in her life had deceived and abandoned her. If that wasn’t enough, he’d convinced her to move in with him while he held Justin captive only yards away. In the past, she blamed herself for his fragile state because of the callous way she’d ended their relationship. But, no more! It was time for him to answer for all the damage he had caused.
Before she dealt with Brandon, Ava did as promised and drove to Justin’s office to determine if his employees revolted or remained loyal. She arrived and found a full parking lot. She exited her car and maneuvered through the parked cars. She had no idea what to expect or who she would speak with when the elevator doors opened. Her only goal was to gather enough information to take to Justin, so once he cleared his name, he would know how to proceed.
Ava entered the waiting area expecting to find someone behind the recepti
on desk, but there was no one. The place was quiet. She stepped around the corner towards Justin’s office. Rebecca Shaw sat behind his desk with the door to his office opened. Ava knocked, causing Rebecca to look up from the computer screen.
“Hi, I’m not sure if you remember me.”
“Ava Sinclair,” said Rebecca, her eyes swept over Ava’s body from head to toe. “I take it you’re here about Justin.”
“Yes.” She entered the office.
“I haven’t heard from him. Have you?” She gestured for Ava to sit.
“No, not since the night before everything went to hell. When I last saw you two, you were headed to a meeting with a contractor. If you don’t mind me asking, what happened that day?”
Rebecca backed away from the desk and crossed her arms against her chest. “I’ll tell you the same thing I told the police. He and I meet with a contractor about the installation of the underground plumbing. The meeting lasted an hour. I left, and Justin stayed behind.”
“Did he say why?”
“He had to meet someone. But I was surprised he took the meeting?”
“Why is that?”
“Because on the drive over, he’d indicated his desire to make the meeting quick so he could get home to you.”
Ava lowered her eyes as she thought of that night. Justin proclaimed he wanted her in his life, and they had a future together. Then the next morning came, and it was the start of a devious plot Brandon had put into motion. She glanced over at Rebecca who stared at her like she had something else on her mind.
“Something the matter?” asked Ava.
“You know he didn’t do it. Justin doesn’t have a malicious bone in his body.”
“Then, where is he?”
“My guess he’s somewhere hiding out. Probably assembling a legal dream team. In the meantime, I’ve successfully convinced our business partners not to bail on us. So, if you happen to hear from him before I do, tell him not to worry about business, it’s in good hands.”
Ava faced her devoid of any expression and stood from her chair. “Thanks for your time, Rebecca. I have a feeling this unfortunate event will be resolved shortly.”
As soon as she returned to her car, she moved on to the next problem on her mental checklist. Making sure Brandon doesn’t learn Justin was no longer locked away. She pulled out her phone, took a deep breath, and called him. “Hey, I’m about to ask a silly question, but are you busy right now?”
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