don't get me wrong () prodigal son SLOW UPDATES

Fifty Three

There was a long pause, she could only here his steadied breathing. "Yea, of course. I was going through it actually yesterday, in case you asked. When do you wanna go through it?"

"Today. Now, if you're not busy?"

"I'm off today, surprisingly." He laughed, "Wanna meet at that Starbucks off of Third?"

Theodora pursed her lips, "I didn't take you as a Starbucks guy."

"Yeah, well, surprise. I can be there in twenty minutes, if that works for you. One-ish?"

She grinned, "Yes, thank you!"

Theodora hung up without saying anything else. She ran to Malcolm's room and found her jeans folded neatly over an arm chair, she quickly got out of his sweatpants and tugged the jeans on. The woman fought to tuck her white shirt in, taking four tries before successfully getting it in the jeans without any noticeable bumps. She even ran to the bathroom and threw her platinum locks into a messy bun, trying her best to look decent.

"Good enough." She mumbled racing to the front door after collecting all her belongings. "Nobody gives two shits anyways."

The city was bustling, though Theodora didn't expect anything else. She ran down streets until she found Starbucks situated on the corner of Third.

Hugo sat outside under a patio umbrella, two drinks occupied the table. She hopped the railing and flopped into the opposite chair, causing him to jump.

"You're always spooking me." He smiled at her, "Oh, and I didn't know what you liked so I got you one of those refresher things."

Theodora tapped the clear cup, "Thanks."

He wore jeans with a black shirt, a red windbreaker over everything. It was odd not seeing him all covered up for work, but he looked good.

"Gil caught me snooping in his office, so I don't have the actual file with me but I do remember most of it. Unfortunately there isn't a lot there."

"I figured that because it's a missing persons case. I just need to know as much as I can."

He nodded, "They have her whereabouts all the way up until that café, since she walks into the bathroom before the camera cuts. It's normal stuff, what streets she walked down or if she stopped. Nothing really sticks out until the moment she walks into the bathroom and everything on the security tape cuts out."

"I didn't know the security cameras where cut until a little while ago. Gil let that slip."

"The next thing I looked for was if they had a copy of the tape but nobody knew where it was or if they ever had one."

"I would've thought more would be done with my father and all being an officer. I remember he wasn't supposed to be apart of that case though, because he was so determined to find her."

Hugo nodded slowly, "There really isn't anything else there. Without the tape we can't really point out frame for frame, trying to find if perhaps someone was following her or if a person pops up constantly within her walk. I think Gil knows more than he's letting anyone know, if I'm being honest."

"But what else if there to know that he needs to keep secret? It's a missing person, plain and simple. If there was more to know wouldn't he tell the detectives working the case?"

"That's true." Hugo took a sip of his drink, "To my knowledge the case is no longer active. I believe that's why Gil doesn't want you snooping around. To just let it rest, for you to try to move on."

Theodora pursed her lips as she watched him, the sun was shining on his face, making his bright eyes squint. He had sharp features, a slim face and frame. His hair was shaggy and falling in his eyes, but the sun was a big enough distraction. She couldn't recall how much time had passed when she finally replied,

"I want to move on, I really do." She mumbled, "I just can't. Not when she's still out there, alive or dead somewhere. I don't care." 

He flicked the green straw from his drink, "You need closure. That's when you'll stop digging for answers, when your satisfied with the result."

Theodora tapped the table, mind wandering. "I'm sorry I keep bugging you about this."

He flashed a warm smile, "Don't apologize. It's no problem, if I were you I would want all the same answers."

Theodora's phone buzzed from her pocket, she fought it free from her back pocket and stared at the unknown number.

"Woah." Hugo exclaimed, "It's a quarter after eight."

She blinked, "That was fast."

"Time goes by when you're talking about important things."

Theodora gave him a smile as she pushed back her chair, "Thank you so much for helping me but I should get going."

He followed her lead, walking around and grabbing her own empty cup. Theodora didn't remember finishing it but there it was, empty.

"Can I walk you back to your place?"

She pursed her lips, looking back and fourth on the street. The last time she walked alone in the dark someone jumped her, than later was threatened that someone way worse was actually following her.

"Sure." They began walking, Theodora leading the way. "It's this way."