We waited for the week that he'd left on his work trip. Ray came over on the weekend since my mom was gone from Friday to Monday.
It was the dead of night and we locked all of the doors. Despite having the house to ourselves we moved like mice to Vince's office. Ray picked the lock. She'd spent all week learning how. Once we were inside we shut and locked the door behind us.
The house belonged to Vince. His office was colored with shades of chocolate brown. The corner to the left of the door was where a leather sofa stood before a mahogany coffee table. The walls were lined with bookshelves. The far wall was where a tall window stood overlooking the garden. That was where his desk was, facing the door.
Ray sat in Vince's chair and got to work. We had the same engineering class but her major was computer science. Mine was chemistry. Ray had always been a tech geek. When we were preteens she would run a side business of hacking into someone's social media (usually a crush) to find information. Within ten minutes Ray unlocked the computer and she was in.
I stood behind her and looked over her shoulder. I watched as she opened Vince's email and began to browse. It was then I received a call that made both of us jump. I looked down at my phone to see Vince's name. Ray and I exchanged glances. I picked up and put him on speaker.
"Hello?"
"Are you home?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Alone?"
I opened my mouth to say I was when I remembered the security cameras, "Uh, no, Ray is here."
"Can she hear me?"
I looked at her. She was as stiff as a board, "No."
His voice was the rumble of an avalanche, "I can see you."
The computer shut off and the lights turned on and we both screamed. Ray shot up from her chair. She came close enough so that I could feel her shake. I dug my fingers into her forearm.
"We're going to talk about this when I get home in the morning."
"Why do-?" I began only for him to hang up.
I shoved the phone back into my pocket. Ray took my arm and we huddled back into my room where she shut and locked the door. We sat together on the bed, squeezed into the corner like we were children.
"Did you know he had cameras inside?"
"What? No!"
She interlocked her icy fingers with my own, "What if he has cameras in here?"
"I don't know but you should leave."
She looked at me like I had grown another head, "Are you crazy? I'm not leaving you!"
"He won't hurt me but he won't be fully honest if you're here."
"How do you know?"
"I just do..." I squeezed her hand once, "He was so relieved to see me alive."
"That doesn't mean you're safe."
The day I met him was a rainy one. I'd moved mine and my mom's things into the new house; they had a destination wedding and I had classes so I didn't go. When Vince stepped onto the back porch I was doing homework. I looked up from my book, eyeing him from over my glasses.
"Hello, Masha. I'm Vincent; your mother's new husband. I apologize for not introducing myself sooner."
"I know that was her choice."
He nodded absently. He turned to gaze at the flowers shrouded in the gray of the gloomy weather. Beds of roses stretched to the line of trees, intercepted by a large marble fountain that stood in the middle of the garden. Eventually he turned to me again.
"Listen, I didn't have a good relationship with my parents, either. I know you're an adult and you're moving once college is finished. You don't need me but that doesn't mean I'm not here for you."
I paused. I set the book down on the table and sat up. He took a seat. He rested his ankle on his knee and leaned back in the chair.
"Why?"
One corner of his lips perked up, "Trust issues?" He teased.
"Only with my mother's friends."
"Well, to answer your question; she's told me about you and I feel a kinship with you."
"What did she say?"
"She's told me what happened to your father, what you were like growing up, that you're determined, smart, passionate, and hard working. That you're the top of your class. You're clearly an incredible person."
I turned to blink away the burn in my eyes. Looking back at him I saw how poorly I'd hid the action. He looked back at the house before leaning forward, making direct eye contact with me and electrocuting my heart.
"Whatever happens I'm in your corner, okay?"
"Words don't mean much to me. I hope you understand."
He gave a knowing smile, "All too well."
Looking at Ray now I said, "I'm safe. Trust me."
She placed her free hand over mine and said, "I trust you but if you don't send me a voice message by tomorrow night I'm calling the cops."
"I know. Love you."
"Love you," She kissed my cheek and hopped off the bed. She gave me one last look before she left.
I didn't expect to sleep but the shock had left me exhausted. I laid down and before I knew it I was rubbing my eyes. My room was aglow with the morning light. I looked out the window to see Vince's car in the driveway.
I dressed, brushed my hair, washed my face, and brushed my teeth before going downstairs. I could see Vince brewing coffee through the archway to the kitchen. Maple scented steam poured over the cabinets to pool against the ceiling. I leaned against the wall behind him, hugging my torso. I watched as he poured himself a mug of coffee. He turned and sipped his drink, eyeing me as he did. His face was stubbly which was odd for him. He wore one of his more casual suits. His dog tags peaked out from the opening of his dress shirt where several buttons had popped off. His hair was tousled.
"Want a tea?"
"No, thank you."
"What were you hoping to find?"
"Good morning to you, too," I joked weakly. When he remained deadpan I said, "I thought you might be a criminal."
"Mmm," He hummed, taking another long drink, "I'm not."
"Why do you have cameras inside the house?"
"That's none of your business."
"I live here."
He cocked a brow. I crossed my arms, bowing my head and letting my hair frame my face.
"I've never given you a reason to distrust me."
"I know you know more about the shooting than you're letting on."
"I don't and I'm hurt that instead of talking to me you and your friend will go snooping around in my private office."
"I'm sorry."
"I don't need you to be sorry I need you to respect my space."
"I was scared."
"I know that," There was still frustration in his tone but I didn't feel it was directed at me. He gulped down the rest of his coffee and set the mug in the sink, "You have every right to be afraid after what you saw but that doesn't mean you get to villainize me. It certainly doesn't mean you get to spy on me. And for the record, it isn't difficult for me to trace a hacker."
"I know."
"Just don't do it again," He said before walking off.
I couldn't deny that I felt shame. I walked outside and got into my car. I sped onto the street and began making my way to Ray's house.
I knocked on the door and her parents greeted me. They told me to go upstairs where I found her laying on her bed with the computer on her lap. I shut the door behind me and sat in the chair before her desk. I spun to face her.
"He's mad but he didn't yell at me or anything."
"That's good," Ray said, sitting up and setting her computer on the edge of the bed facing me before explaining quietly, "You said he owns this apartment building?"
I nodded.
"I did the math. You said that's his primary source of income. There is no way he can afford that house and a sports car from what he would get in rent."
"But who uses an apartment to launder money?"
"He could be doing it through the laundry mat. There's also a bar."
I couldn't deny my suspicion but his words still pulled my heart strings. I also couldn't deny the intrigue.
"Maybe that brings in a lot of money."
"Enough for him to wear a suit every day? A designer suit? Not to mention the diamonds around his fingers."
"What would we even do if they're laundering money?"
"Hmm, get you away from him? Maybe?"
"He has protection against hackers."
"I have another computer that can't be linked to me."
"You're gonna get me killed."