Call after call takes up mine and Trevor's next few days, distancing us from the outside world and everyone on it. We spend hours looking into the information handed over, going through countless profiles and different alibis, but at the end of it, we find nothing. Everyone we question has a strong alibi along with proof to support it.

Trevor returns to his house in the country, and I meet with Vincent for a coffee in a nearby shop.

His blonde hair that has streaks of grey is not in its usual neat position. Instead it's flopped down in two parts, like he's just gotten out of bed.

"You look tired," I state with a small smile forming.

He tries his hardest to smile back. "Octavia and I have been talking to the residents of the neighbourhood that had no CCTV in."

"How did that go?"

Vincent shakes his head. "No one saw anything. Two kids saw a car race by, but that was it. No one got out. Raine must've found somewhere else to escape." He drops his head into his hands and yawns. "Peri was having bad acid reflux last night. Spent half the night looking after her. One of the many side affects of pregnancy."

"Poor Peri. How's she doing now?"

"Better, thankfully. It's her first pregnancy, we weren't expecting it to be this bad. We thought it would endure so much happiness, but it's hit her hard. She's having sleepless nights, her body's constantly aching. It's so hard to see her like this, I don't know what more to do."

"You're doing the best you can. All she needs is you to support her. She knows you can't take the pain away, but at least you can be there and help her through it."

He blinks slowly and nods. "All I want is to take her pain away. If I could swap our positions, I would. I'd do anything for that girl."

"You're very sweet, Vincent. Peri is a lucky girl."

But he shakes his head and smiles genuinely for the first time today. "No. I am. That girl is truly amazing."

Vincent is one of the sweetest men I have ever met in my entire existence. I've had my fair share of problems with random men on a Friday night who call after me and say the most disrespectful comments. I've been touched and belittled by some who have a wife and daughter waiting for them at home. I was starting to believe they were all the same until I joined the company and met Connor, Trevor and Vincent. Connor is extremely loyal to his wife and is always there for his two daughters. There's many photos of them in his office. Trevor is a complete gentleman who looks out for others at all times, even when he's the one in need of help. He's never tried to touch or kiss me against my will; has never made a move or said any comments that make me uncomfortable. And Vincent, sweet Vincent. Since the day I met him, all his thoughts have been on one special lady. Peri. They started dating seventeen years ago when they were twenty and met in college. He had never been in a relationship before he met her and had never even had feelings for another woman before Peri walked into his life. They've been wanting a family for such a long time, and finally at the age of thirty-seven, Peri is pregnant. I remember the day he walked into the office the day after finding out. He was glowing.

I take his hand. "You're going to have the most beautiful family. I can't wait to meet the little guy."

"Me neither. Time seems to be flying by."

"I still can't believe I was invited to the gender reveal."

"Why?"

I shrug my shoulders and sip my tea. "I just didn't think you liked me that much."

"You're not just my coworker, Vanessa. You're a really good friend."

I try not to cry. It's not often I do so, but hearing those words from another person is something I haven't experienced before. "Thanks, Vincent. Really. It means a lot."

"It better. There's not many people who get to be my friend," he jokes. I watch as he sips his coffee and lets out a deep sigh. "Would've been nice if Octavia had been around yesterday. She left early for some reason before we had a chance the finish the paperwork. I had to do it all by myself—which was so fun."

The subject of our conversation draws me in completely. I set down my mug on the small circular table and lean in closer. "That sucks. Why did she leave?"

Scoffing, Vincent leans back and shakes his head. "Because she can. No offence to Octavia—she can actually be a really sweet girl—but she is always leaving every chance she gets without thinking of anyone else. Peri needs me to be with her, but you don't catch me running out without finishing my work first. Unless Peri calls me to come home, I stay there and I put my part in." After venting, he sighs and runs his hand down his face. "Sorry. I shouldn't be complaining when I have no clue what's going on in her life, I'm just very stressed at the moment."

"No, no—don't apologise. I completely understand." I look over my shoulder and bite down on my bottom lip. "I wonder why Octavia left in such a hurry. It always seems to happen."

Vincent nods his head in agreement.

I decide not to tell him about my suspicions against Octavia. I know Trevor warned me to forget about this and let it go, but everything in me is screaming that she's up to something. I'm just worried that that something has to do with Raine. Maybe it's bad of me to assume that about my coworker, especially if I'm wrong, but what if I'm right and I do nothing?

* * *

Octavia and I sit on my sofa while going through paperwork. However, I cannot take my gaze off her. Her brown eyes glimmer as the sun beams through the windows and fixates on where she sits. She tucks her blonde hair behind her ear when it gets in the way for the eighth time, showing off the diamond earring.

Since I've suspected Octavia, every single thing is raising alarms, even if they're insignificant—like the earrings. I'm starting to wonder how much they cost. If they're real, she must've saved all her payments for years. Or they could be an heirloom, but I doubt that as they look almost brand new.

"What?" Octavia suddenly snaps.

I jump and quickly dart my eyes back to my laptop. "Nothing."

She grabs the stack of files from her lap and slams it down on the table before taking a stand. "You've been weird with me all day. You think I haven't noticed your constant, creepy staring? What's going on?"

I squint my eyes at her for a few seconds before deciding to just ask. It's better to confront her rather than suspect her, because for all I know she might be completely innocent with a valid excuse.

"Why are you always rushing out of work?" I ask.

Her forehead creases. "Because it's work? Who wants to stay at work?"

I stand and start to walk around my living room while trying to form the words in my head. "You never talk about your life. You're secretive. You get defensive when someone asks."

"What are you trying to say?"

My body turns to face her and I finally freeze, staring her dead in the face. "Are you helping someone?"

Octavia laughs. "Like who?"

"Raine."

Her jaw drops. Many emotions fun through her face; devastation, confusion, disbelief. Her eyes that grow cloudy with sadness cause me to gulp and feel a pit of guilt grow in my lower stomach. Seeing the look on her face, it hurts me. I should've never doubted her. I can't believe I ever did.

"How can you say that?" Octavia exclaims while rushing over to me. She's only inches away from my face. I can feel her heavy breath tickle my skin.

"Why else would you be acting this way?" I ask, crossing my arms.

"You're wrong. You are so fucking wrong."

"Maybe I am. But I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I never asked. I have to know the truth. There's been plenty of times where our coworkers have been secretly working for the other side. They were just as secretive as you."

Running her hands through her hair, she widens her eyes and scoffs at me. "I can't actually believe this. You really think I'm working for Raine fucking Amory? Is that a joke, or are you really that stupid?"

"Tell me then!" I quickly say with my voice slightly raised. "Tell me what's going on. Why do you leave so suddenly? Where do you go? Why won't you tell us anything about your life? I know your name and age. That's it. I don't know where you grew up, I don't know about any of your family, I don't know where you studied, I don't know what you studied."

With her jaw clenched and fury spreading over her expression, she rushes over to the table and grabs her keys before glaring at me. "It's better if I show you. Come with me."

Although I'm slightly terrified of Octavia in this moment due to the anger she feels, I follow her to her car. I sit silently in the passenger seat with my thoughts racing in my mind, trying to connect the pieces and figure out where she's taking me. It's dark outside with only the streetlights blaring light and guiding our way through the town. The roads are shining from the puddles that reflect the moon's light. Shimmering raindrops fall on the windscreen that the wipers work hard at wiping away.

After ten minutes, Octavia parks up. I look out the window to inspect my surroundings, only to find that we're at Octavia's house.

"What's going on?" I ask her.

She gets out the car and tells me, "Come on," before shutting the door and leaving me alone in the car.

After hesitating to take off my seatbelt, I slowly push open the car door and follow Octavia down the path through the garden to reach her front door where she waits for me patiently. There's a long, tense pause before she opens the door.

What I see next completely shocks me.