And, also, a letter had been found on him, tucked inside his jeans pocket.
It was a confession about the robbery. He said that Jason had detailed everything about the night of the robbery. How it was him and Damien who had planned it. Jason had given him my access card while I was sleeping. Damien had used my key to gain access and rob the place. Then, he’d returned to my place and given Jason the key back along with some jewelry to plant in my apartment.
Just as I had believed it had happened all along.
My name was cleared. After all this time, that black mark against my name was gone.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about Jason being dead.
Relief, I guessed. It was hard to feel anything else.
The detective led me out of the interview room. Cece was waiting for me in the waiting room along with the nice officer who’d driven us here.
He offered to take us back to the hotel. Exhausted, I thanked him and took him up on his offer. We sat in the back of the police car as he drove us through the streets of London.
I watched people walking around, living their everyday lives. Nothing had changed for them.
But, for me, everything had changed.
I would never again be the same.
The officer dropped us at the hotel and told us that they would be in touch soon.
Cece and I got out of the car. I had planned to tell her about Jason as soon as we got to our room, but the minute we walked into the hotel lobby, my eyes locked on Jesse.
He was sitting in a chair, waiting for me, his face lined with worry.
And I burst into tears.
He’d seen the news. Seen what had happened to us. I hadn’t even called him.
I felt like the worst sister in the world. But he didn’t care about that. He just cared that I was okay.
He rushed to me, nearly knocking me off my feet, wrapping his arms around me.
The surge of love I felt for him buckled my knees. So, I clung on to my baby brother and sobbed on his shoulder, telling him how sorry I was.
I was supposed to be the one taking care of him, but there he was, taking care of me.
He hushed me. He told me he was sorry. Sorry for ever doubting me.
That made me cry harder. Then, I heard a sob come from Cece beside us.
Jesse pulled her into our hug, and the three of us stood together, holding each other.
My family.
But there was one person missing.
Kas.
He’s still missing.
Well, not missing in the real sense of the word. Just missing from my life.
He was released on bail two days after he was arrested.
And I haven’t heard from him.
I only know he was released because I read it in the papers.
I’ve tried to ring him, but all I’ve gotten is his voice mail. I’ve left voice mail messages, but he hasn’t called. I’ve texted him. But he hasn’t texted back.
I want to go to the estate, but I’m afraid.
He’s ignoring me. He doesn’t want to speak to me or see me.
So, if I went to see him…forced a confrontation…I’m scared of what he’d say.
On a sigh, I push my key in the door of my apartment and unlock it.
I gingerly push the door open.
We officially have our apartment back. This is my first time being back here since the shooting.
Cece couldn’t face coming back. Honestly, I didn’t want to either.
But we’ve both run out of clean clothes, and we’re in this mess because of me, so coming here was the least I could do for her.
I step inside the hallway, and I’m instantly catapulted back to that day—when I walked in here, happy with a bottle of champagne in my hand.
Back when I wasn’t someone who’d taken another person’s life. Even if the bastard did deserve it.
I walk slowly down the hallway. My eyes catch on the living room door.
It’s closed.
I stand and stare at it.
“Daisy.”
I spin around at the sound of Kas’s soft voice.
He’s standing in the open doorway.
He looks tired. Darkness circles his eyes. His clothes look wrinkled.
And he’s still the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.
I part my dry lips. “I called…”
“I know.” He looks away at the wall. “I’m sorry…” He lifts and then drops his shoulder, seemingly at a loss for words.
His eyes come back to mine. There’s an almost pleading look to them.
“I-I heard that you’d gotten out on bail.”
“Yeah.” He pushes his hand through his hair. “My lawyer says I’m looking at self-defense.”
“So, you’re getting off?” I hold my breath.
“Looks that way.”
“Oh, thank God.” I press my hand to my chest, a breath rushing out of me. I feel like an enormous weight has been lifted. “I-I don’t know how to thank you for what you did.”
He holds my eyes, shaking his head, silently telling me to stop.
I bite my lip.
“Is everything going to be all right with Jesse?” he asks. “Are you still allowed to see him?”
“Yes.” I nod, a smile touching my lips. “Before…I didn’t get to tell you, but right before what happened”—my eyes drift back to the living room door—“Anne had called, said they were giving me weekend visitation rights.”
“Were?”
I look back at him. His face is tight with worry.
“Still are.” I give him a soft smile. “I spoke to Anne. She was really good about everything. Brilliant in fact. And, with the truth coming out—did you hear about Jason?”