Rewritten (Unwritten Book 2) (6 page)

I watch as Jacquelyn opens the door when he runs up. It’s obvious they have a confrontation as he tries to get to the woman. Jacquelyn flashes a gun around and I take more notes, specifically writing who had the gun first.

The man is trying to calm her down when I see another car pull up, a black Audi A6. A woman jumps out of the car, running in through the door. Once I get a good view I see it’s Diane Hayes, the woman I met in the hospital who said she found Jacquelyn shot.
Ok, so finding her shot was obviously a lie. What else is she lying about?

It’s obvious that the woman tied up knows Diane because she tries harder to free herself from the ropes that hold her down as she bursts in.

Fuck, I wish there was sound
.

I watch as they all talk until the man slowly starts to walk toward Jacquelyn. Something has happened and the mood between all of them has changed. The man approaches Jacquelyn and I jump when I see the man bring her head down to his knee.

They struggle for the gun, and then everyone stops, the man moving back, holding up his arms as Jacquelyn falls to the ground.

Holy shit.
I lean in closer to watch as the man runs to the woman, untying her, holding her to him. She’s had her back to me the entire time and now her face is tucked into him so I can’t get a great look at her, only from the side which does me no good.

It’s obvious this man has feelings for this chick. But who is she and who is he? What was Jacquelyn doing and how does Diane fit in all of this?

Diane checks for a pulse, her and the man yelling at each other before he leaves with the woman.

Diane makes a phone call and after she hangs up the phone, I watch her leave one view and pick her up near the sliding glass door in the back. I watch as she breaks the door, setting up the scene, knocking things over, and wiping everything down, including the car and the back seat.

Fuck me… no wonder we didn’t find any prints. Ok Diane, what are you hiding and who are these two other people?
I shake my head, writing more notes.

When the police arrive on scene I know there’s nothing more to see so I start rewinding the footage, trying to get more information to see if either Diane, the woman or the man are at the house any other time.

I don’t have to go back far to see that the man was there the day before. At first I just watch him enter then leave around an hour later. Nothing else appears on any of the screens so I keep rewinding. Seeing him come and go a few more times is frustrating and I’m about to give up when I see them come into view through the backyard camera.

I watch as the man opens the sliding glass door, guiding Jacquelyn, who is naked and blindfolded, outside, proceeding to have sex with her while her arms are handcuffed above her head. My eyes get big as I watch the two of them.

Whoa. This shit is kinky.

Once the man and Jacquelyn go back inside I can’t see anything that happens so I hit rewind again to the day before where I see them having sex in the entryway.

Hello.

I rewind it to the beginning to watch their entire encounter. Taking notes on the fact that Jacquelyn ravages him at the front door.

I rewind it as far back as it can go but don’t see the man, the woman or Diane any other time. I look over my notes that read:

• Jacquelyn brings woman to house and ties her up. Who is she? Why?
  
• Man arrives at 12:06. Who is he?
  
• Diane Hayes arrives at 12:10
  
• Woman tied up knows Diane Hayes and man
  
• Mood changes, Jacquelyn puts the gun down
  
• Man hits Jacquelyn in her nose, they fight over gun. Jacquelyn’s shot
  
• Man unties woman and leaves with her
  
• Diane calls 911
  
• Diane damages door – faking break in. Why? What is she hiding?
  
• Same man is at house multiple times prior to shooting
  
• They have sex outside and in entryway
  
• Man must be dad to baby
  

A
lex and I are sitting in his hotel room looking over my photos from the fashion show. He’s quiet, looking at every photo and I’m sick to my stomach, so nervous for his critique.

“Wow, Allison,” he finally speaks. “I must say. I’m impressed, though I knew I would be,” he winks at me.

“Really, you like them?” I smile brightly.

“Yes, they’re wonderful. I know our client will be very happy. Job well done.”

“Thank you so much for this opportunity. I loved every second of it.”

“We should celebrate. Didn’t you say that Charlie had to fly home? Do you have any plans tonight?”

“He did. I don’t have any plans, I’d love to celebrate.”

Really I’d love anything right now that isn’t me sitting in my room, alone, crying my eyes out.

“Great. There’s a place I wanted to try before we head back to San Francisco. Say I’ll meet you at your room at seven?”

“Ok.” I grab my bag and head out of his room.

I pick up my phone to call Charlie to tell him about the photo critique.

“Hello my love,” Charlie answers as he’s stepping out of the shower, dripping wet.

“Hey sexy.”

“Yeah, you like that?” he smiles his cocky smile.

“Oh jeez,” I smirk. “Alex just went over all of my photos and loved them!”

“Of course he did baby. You’re amazing, I tell you that all the time and he knows it, too.”

“He wants to take me to dinner tonight to celebrate.”

“Whoa, whoa… Hold up now. He’s not trying to hit on you is he?”

Really? Did he just say that?

“Stop, Charlie, it’s nothing like that. He just wants to congratulate me on my work.”

“Um, no, guys don’t take girls out to dinner unless they want something.”

“Really, it’s nothing. He’s my boss, remember.” Ugh, now I kind of regret even calling him. Being irritated by Charlie suggesting something so ridiculous is the last thing I need right now.

“I know that, I just hope he remembers that, too.”

“Whatever Charlie,” I say, rolling my eyes.

“Hey, look, I’m sorry. I’m just upset I’m not there with you. I should be the one taking you to dinner to celebrate.”

“We will. I come home on Friday, you can take me out then,” I say with very little emotion.

He smirks, “You can bet I’m going to take you but it won’t be anywhere out in public.”

I’ll admit, I’m intrigued by his comment and I can’t help but smirk, “Oh really now. And how do you plan on taking me?”

He tilts his head back laughing as a sexy smile comes over his face, “You just wait. I’m going to take you higher than you have ever been before.”

“Is that a promise?”

“Ah, this is torture. Can’t you come home sooner than Friday?”

“What did you say to me before? Good things come to those who wait.”

“Yes, and I’d wait for you forever if I had to.”

“Well, good thing you don’t have to. I better get going. Love you.”

“I love you, too. And I’m serious, pay attention to that boss of yours. Don’t let him think he can get in your pants without me there.”

“Come on Charlie, you act like just because you aren’t here I would even consider it. Give me more credit than that. I promise that he won’t, it’s not like that, ok. Bye Charlie.”

“Till next time my love.”

Right at seven there’s a knock at the door. Alex stands tall, dressed in black dress slacks and a cashmere sweater with a dress shirt underneath and his sleeves rolled up. “Hello, Allison,” he smiles as I open the door.

“Hi, Alex. Man, I’m sorry. I think I’m underdressed.” I look down to my skinny jeans with slip on booties and a tight sweater knit top.

“Don’t be silly. What you’re wearing is fine,” Alex smiles.

“Ok good, shall we?”

We head toward the elevator and wait in silence until the doors open. “So, tell me about this restaurant?” I ask as we walk in.

“It’s a little place with only tables for two tucked away down a small alley. I heard the food was good but didn’t want to go by myself.”

“Sounds good.”

We walk to the restaurant and are seated at a small table. I’m nervous about what to say. The only time I’ve spoken with him was in my original interview or while we were actually shooting. This is a totally different setting and as I sit down in my seat I realize I know nothing about this man besides the fact that he’s an amazing photographer.

Thankfully, he breaks the ice, “Thank you for stepping in for the photo shoot today. You have no idea how nice it is to know that I can trust someone to take my place when I can’t be there. You really did a great job, you should be proud.”

He’s taking his napkin from the table and folding it in his lap, not looking at me while he speaks which makes me even more nervous. I get the feeling this is going to be a long, very stuffy business dinner instead of a more friendly dinner.

“Thank you for the opportunity. It really means so much to me. I feel like my dreams are coming true.”

At that he looks up, his eyes meet mine and I see a look that reminds me of my father. That proud daddy look I get when I tell him about a big accomplishment of mine. Alex’s face relaxes and I can tell the mood has changed.

I smile at him and he returns my smile, “I love to hear you say that. You remind me so much of myself when I was your age, full of life, enthusiasm and passion for photography. You really have what it takes to go far. I’m glad you applied for this internship. It’s been great having you on my team.”