Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Vince had just left Jessica's tiny apartment after getting a quick rundown of what had happened.

Timothy wanted to talk to Jessica about the divorce, so he'd brought her home. Things got heated, and in the end, he'd tried to force himself on her.

A man tying a woman's wrists with his tie in bed-clothes torn, lines crossed- something like that could go either way in court, depending on how the judge saw

it.

Timothy probably didn't even think it was a big deal. If he found out Jessica was planning to use it as evidence in the divorce proceedings, he'd likely have his lawyer find a way to spin it.

No one could say for sure how it would play out.

So, for now, it was best to keep it from him.

"It's almost dinner time. Want to go out for a drink? You helped me pull the files- dinner's on me, I've already set it up with Yates."

"Not interested."

Timothy shot him down flat.

Jessica was heading overseas with Mr. Smith in two days, and Timothy was pressed for time.

"You already know where she's staying. What's the rush? Have dinner first, then head over-she's not going anywhere." Vince smirked, twisting the knife. "What's with the hesitation? Don't tell me you're worried she'll leave you first?"

Timothy's expression darkened, but he turned around at last. "Fine. Let's go."

Vince grinned and followed him out. He mostly just wanted to buy Jessica some time.

By the time Timothy and Vince arrived at the restaurant, Yates Bryant was already there waiting.

Yates looked up with interest. "Didn't invite Kane?"

"I did. He's at the hospital with Sheila. Said he doesn't want to see Timothy, so he's not coming."

"I never held a grudge against him. Now he's got a problem with me?" Timothy muttered, clearly annoyed.

Vince said, deadpan, "Maybe he thinks you're too much of a jerk."

Timothy's expression went from bad to worse.

Yates just watched them, amused, then pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to Timothy.

Once he'd it up, Timothy took a long drag, exhaled a slow spiral of smoke, and said, "He's either chasing a woman or on his way to chase one. How does he have the nerve to call me a jerk?”

Vince shrugged. "He's never been married. fle's just having fun. All those women he's dated-he buys them cars, buys them apartments, gets rave reviews from everyone. No one thinks he's a jerk."

"Hey, don't put it like that," Yates interrupted Vince. "You make it sound like Timothy can't even compare to Kane. Come on, those two aren't even in the same league."

The way Yates said it sounded like a compliment, but there was a subtle jab in there, too.

Timothy's eyes grew colder as he glared at Vince. "So, are you thanking me for dinner, or did you just invite me here to let you two gang up on me?"

"I swear, I didn't," Vince said, all innocent, then pointed at Yates. "He brought up Kane. I was just answering honestly."

"Don't pin it on me. You're the host, you invited Timothy out-I'm just here for the ride," Yates said, then changed the subject. "By the way Timothy helped you analyze the data. Does that mean you're close to finding your little sister?"

"After twenty years of searching, I try not to get my hopes up. I've got people looking into it, and if we get a lead, we'll do a DNA test to be sure."

The subject made Vince visibly somber.

His little sister had been the darling of the Zimmerman family-sweet, adorable, everyone's treasure. After she disappeared, their mother's health had gone downhill, heartsick with longing.

"Don't be too hard on yourself," Yates said quietly. "A lot's changed in twenty years. Technology's come a long way. Maybe this time you'll finally find her."noveldrama

Timothy couldn't help thinking of the birthmark on Jessica's chest. He'd run all the data he had, but Jessica's name had never come up.