Chapter 192: Suspicious Visit

Adrian’s expression didn’t change much.

That was another thing she noticed.

Dorian did that too.

They both had a way of listening without giving away too much in their faces.

"I have his notes and tactics. We’ve been working together on a game plan," he continued. "And I assure you, we have a very high chance of getting you out of here."

Marianne nodded slowly, even though her nerves had already begun twisting tighter. "Okay..." She inhaled. "Let’s do this."

He turned one of the pages in the file. "As soon as I’m done here, I’ll submit an application to have your case reopened. I’ll also be visiting often so I can keep you updated on how things are progressing and tell you what you need to prepare for."

"What exactly will I need to do?"

"We’ll take it one step at a time."

Marianne tilted her head slightly. "Are you brothers?"

Adrian stopped. "Excuse me?"

"You and him." She gestured vaguely toward the paperwork, as if Dorian himself was somehow represented by the stack. "Are you brothers?"

"No." Adrian looked genuinely confused. "Why do you ask?"

"You must spend a lot of time around each other, then."

"I suppose."

"You’re both alike." Marianne smiled faintly. "You both speak like everything is perfectly under control even when you’re clearly thinking ten things at once. You even have the same dry way of talking."

Adrian chuckled. "Trust me, Mrs Bennett, we are nothing alike."

"Maybe you’re right. He never laughs," Marianne said.

Adrian’s mouth curved. "I think I may like you, Mrs Bennett."

"Oh, stop, you." Marianne lifted one hand to her chest and pretended to blush, just enough to make him laugh again.

Adrian, however, had been adequately armed on how to handle Marianne Bennett. "Our mutual acquaintance did warn me that when you want to get under someone’s skin, you tend to divert attention," he said, studying her over the rim of his glasses. "So get whatever it is you need out of me, Mrs Bennett, and then we can move on."

Marianne scoffed.

That was irritating. Mostly because he was right.

She had been caught. "Fine." She sat back in her chair, surrendering with all the dignity she could manage. "I just wanted to know about my daughter. Do you know her?" she asked.

"Yes. I’m well acquainted with Mrs Heathcliffe."

"How is she?"

"I haven’t seen her in a while," Adrian said, "but I get updates, and I assure you, she is fine. Happily married, if I may say so."

Marianne’s smile stayed in place, but it weakened around the edges. "Are you sure?" She folded her hands together on the table, trying not to let the unease crawling through her chest take over. "All I have from in here are small morsels of information, and I don’t like it." She exhaled slowly. "I know I shouldn’t complain. I made my choices, and I know why I made them, but I’m worried."

"I suddenly feel like I cannot trust anyone."

His eyes sharpened. "Why suddenly?"

"It’s nothing. If this works, I can look into it myself," she continued. "So I need you to know how desperately I want to get out of here."

"I understand that."

"I have spent years telling myself that Naomi was safe. That whatever happened to me, at least she was out there living her life. I could accept being in here because I thought I had done what I needed to do." Her throat tightened, but she pushed through it. "That belief mattered to me. She was surrounded by family. She had people. She had a home. I believed that."

Marianne looked down at her hands. "And lately, every little thing I hear makes me wonder whether I was wrong."

"What suddenly frightens you?"

"My sister-in-law paid me a visit," Marianne admitted. "Recently."

"And that worried you?"

Marianne hesitated. "It shouldn’t have. She’s family. She raised Naomi after I was sent here. At least, that was the arrangement. I trusted her because she was Raymond’s sister, and despite everything that happened between me and him, Diana had always been part of Naomi’s life. When she came here, I thought I would finally get answers about Naomi. Instead, I have this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach."

"What did she say?"

Marianne shook her head. "It wasn’t just what she said."

"What was it, then?"

"The way she said things."

"Tell me." Adrian pulled a notepad closer, clicked his pen and began writing while Marianne explained everything in more detail.

She told him about Diana’s sudden concern surrounding her parole and the suggestion that Richard could arrange a lawyer for her. She repeated as much of the conversation as she could remember.

Adrian didn’t interrupt her unnecessarily.

Every now and then, he asked a short question, but for the most part, he let Marianne talk.

Adrian looked through what he had written, then lifted his eyes to her. "You’re right. It does raise concerns," he continued. "Especially the sudden interest in helping with your case."

Marianne murmured. "I knew something felt wrong. I know in my heart that Dorian wants the best for her. I am completely certain about that."

Whatever else she didn’t know about the man her daughter had married, she trusted that much.

"I have learned to look into the soul, Adrian. Can I call you Adrian?"

"Of course."

"When you’ve been here as long as I have, you learn how to watch people. Sometimes you learn more from what a person refuses to answer." Marianne continued, "And when Diana spoke, I just couldn’t shake the feeling that something was afoot. So what do I do?"

"How about this? I’d like to see whatever this counsellor needs you to sign."

"The one Richard wants to send?"

"Yes." Adrian tapped his pen lightly against the paper. "If he comes in, don’t sign anything immediately. Give him an excuse. Tell him you want time to read through everything carefully first. Then call me."