19 A Twist Happens

"Detective Judith." Judith heard a familiar voice call her name before she stepped out of her car completely. She froze for a second, one foot out and one foot in trying to recollect the voice. When it clicked, she stepped out, closed her door and turned around to face the owner of the voice.

"Jessy Paris, what a surprise." She said with no sign of friendliness in her voice. "You've come to fight with me again?"

Paris's face was like steel. She maintained a very straight look. "There would have been no fight if you had not confronted me first." She said through her teeth.

Judith turned around and started walking towards her house. She did not have time to spare for this irrational woman. She had a girlfriend at home who was mad at her for reasons that were valid. This was not the time to engage with this woman.

"You might want to hear what I have to say before you walk out on me like that. I'm not here to lick or kick your bossy ass." Jessy Paris walked up to where Judith's car was parked and restrd her body on it.

Judith didn't stop walking until she got to the front of her door. "I already have questions about how you located my house. If what you want to say is that important, you should start already."

"Relax." Paris said in a low voice. "I've been sacked off the case and that means this game between us is over."

"Game?" Judith's attention was caught.

"You challenged me to a battle of wits, remember?"

Judith hissed. "Well, I'm surprised you have been dropped from the case although I won't pretend it doesn't make me happy to know."

"For someone who boasts about not wanting to bring other women down, that sounds funny." The ice on Paris's face grew colder.

"Remind me again why you are here,woman." Judith folded her arms.

"It's about the case." Paris moved away from the car and walked up to where Judith stood. "I think you and I know who you should be arresting at this very moment."

Judith's eyes fluttered. "I don't understand what you are talking about."

"I don't want to believe you didn't notice it. Please and please prove me wrong. You are smart." Paris feigned surprise at the woman's ignorance.

"Just go ahead and say it or leave." Judith said bluntly.

"The Da Vinci paintings hanging in the Robinson's sitting room. The day we had that argument at the mansion. You don't remember?" Paris tried to stimulate Judith's memories.

Judith took a minute to think back and then her face lit up. "Oh you saw it too? I didn't think much of it although I've always knew it fitted somewhere in the story."

"It has always fitted with the story. I'm sure they haven't noticed it either. It's not clearly written. I had to look over and over again at those paintings every time I got to the mansion to be sure."

"So why have you kept quiet all these while?" asked Judith. "You could have said something and be the star of the show."

"That's right." Paris agreed. "But then I assumed you saw it too and you weren't saying anything about it? You are the police and you had not taken actions? Nah I was sure you had something up your sleeves, especially with the forensics and all. So I did what was wise. Stay calm and observe. It was a game remember? I'm disappointed now to know it wasn't what I thought."

Judith rubbed her shoulder. "So why now?"

"Because I'm no longer on the case!" Paris said grinning widely.

"I believe there is another reason."

Paris laughed. "It's up to you now, Judith. Do the right thing and end everything or continue to play this long worthless game with yourself." Paris turned around and began to walk away. After a few paces, she spun around and yelled: "I have not forgotten the incident, Judith! I don't forgive!" Then continued to walk again.

"Babe who is that?" Hasley's voice made Judith jump.

"Shit!" She said panting lightly. "How long have you been standing here?!"

"Who is that babe?" Hasley asked again.

"Jessy Paris."

"I've seen her before." Hasley said.

***

"Eat. It's morning. You need breakfast." Jolene scooped cereal from a small bowl and place it at the entrance of Max's closed mouth. He had regained full consciousness and was looking much better. Abim sat on a chair beside him, while Jolene sat on the bed next to him trying to get him to eat.

"You shouldn't be here." Max said, pushing away the spoon with his hands.

Jolene tried again. "You have to eat. See how weak you are."

"My brother will feed me." Max replied, looking over at Abim who was busy on his phone.

Jolene relented and dropped the bowl of cereal on the side table. "Max, why?" Her beautiful eyes looked down at him with compassion.

"Why what?" Max pretended not to know what she was referring to.

"Why did you do it? Have I not been good enough? Years of therapy and you disappointed me." Her voice became shaky.

Max kept quiet.

"Say something." Jolene insisted placing a hand on his bare chest.

"I don't know what to say." His reply was void of interest.

Jolene sighed, playing with his chest. Max removed her hand gently. "Are you forgetting people might see you?"

"It's just your brother here, Max."

At this, Abim raised his head and looked at her with amusement. "Do you two need a minute?"

"No." Jolene and Max said simultaneously.

"You should leave." Max said looking away.

"Why are you being so cold, Max? Have I don't something wrong?"

"Just leave." Max maintained.

Jolene straightened. "Well the police took me in for questioning."

Max's attention returned sharply to his therapist. "What for?"

"They wanted to know if I had anything to do with what happened that night, as well as your brother's disappearance and death. They also wanted to know if I knew anything about you that could implicate you." Jolene got up from the bed and told Abim to pass her a bottle of water.

Max sat up. The smell of hospital made him feel sick. "Why would they ask you such questions? I don't get it. You are my therapist. You just happened to be at my house that night. By the way I called you."

"They will believe that if it's coming from you." Jolene said wiping her mouth. "They suspect we might be... involved some way."

Max's eyes brightened. "And what did you tell them?"

Jolene shook her head. "What do you expect? I love my job."

Max sighed in relief and relaxed back on the bed. "I can handle the police don't worry." He said.

"Max, I need you to have my back." Jolene begged him with her eyes.

"When am I leaving this place that feels like death?" Max asked Abim who was still on his phone.

"This evening." His younger brother replied. "The Doctor said you will be discharged this evening. There have also written a recommendation for a therapist." He said.

"I can't see you anymore Jolene, I'm sorry." Max said, reaching out for Jolene's hands. "I don't want you as my therapist anymore. The more we meet, the more complicated this will get and God knows I'm tired of dragging every one into my own mess. Go and live a happy life, J."

Jolene was stupefied. "Wh...what? Max please don't do this. I can help you get better."

"Forget it. We lost that part of our deal a long time ago." Max said. "Now please go."

Jolene's eyes watered. "What's this about?"

"I'm just protecting you, J. Please leave and never try to contact me again."

"Protect me?! That is incredulous!"

Max observed her. "Hold on. Why are you acting up? Are you in love with me or something?"

Jolene looked at him, her eyes reddening.

"Oh shit." Max cursed, realizing the answer in her silence. "Why? I thought it was just sex? That was what we agreed, yeah?"

Jolene covered her face. "I can't help it." She sniffed.

Max groaned. "Jolene, the sex was great but I don't love you. I'm so sorry but you need to go."

Jolene stared at him, pain flashing though her eyes. "I will tell the police you once tried to kill your missing brother years ago." She said in a collected voice and walked to the door. As she opened it, she came face to face with Detective Judith who was about entering. They looked surprised to see each other. Jolene shifted to the side to let her pass and walked away after muttering something inaudibly. Abim was no longer on his phone but was now watching the event unfolding before his eyes.

Judith closed the door behind her and cast a questioning look at Max. "What's your therapist doing here?"

"To tell me you called her in for questioning I guess." Max responded with a slight. "Is that why you are here too? To question me?"

Judith was wearing a track suit and the power of her intimidating presence filled the room. Abim got up and excused himself from the room.

"Why did he go out?" Judith asked as soon as Abim closed the door behind him.

"Because you are always on his neck I suppose. I don't know." Max was trying his best not to reveal his admiration for how she looked that morning.

She occupied the chair Abim got up from. "What's up with you and your therapist? You two seem closer than expected."

"She has been my therapist for a long time. She should be worried when I'm hurt. Why is that a problem?" Max asked, lifting himself to sit on the edge of the bed, opposite her.

"Are you two having sex?" Judith hit the nail on the head, swallowing hard as she did.

"No."

"I don't believe you."

"Believe what you may. By the way, is this what my brother's case is about now? Finding out who I'm fucking?"

"Max I..."

"And if you are suspecting her of anything, you shouldn't. None of this is her fault. She is a good person and doesn't deserve all these badgering from the police." The room grew hot along with Max's words.

"I'd kill to have a man who defends a woman like that." Jolene joked, not buying it.

Max shrugged.

"How are you really?" Judith asked sincerely.

"I'm doing fine. I will be discharged tonight. What's up with the case?"

"I've got something but I'd prefer we have that conversation when you are out of here." Judith said smiling slightly.

"Is it positive or negative?"

"A mixture of both." Judith winked. "It's good to know you are um... recovering fine." She said and got up. "I'll just be on my way then."

He grabbed her hand. "Judith. How is your girlfriend?"

Judith swerved with amusement. "Hmm she is fine. We are fine."

"Did you tell her?" Max let go of her hand.

"No. She would kill me."

Max nodded. "I did enjoy it though."

Judith looked at him as though he had gone crazy. "We agreed not to talk about that and you said you did not care at all about..."

"And that's right. I'm just saying I enjoyed kissing you."

Just looking at him in that position, and the forced nonchalance he was putting up aroused feelings inside Judith. She wanted a kiss with him again. In fact, something more than a kiss. Instead she turned away from him and said, "Take care Max. Talk later."