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“Keep your hopes up, Daniel. No matter what, we are going to prove your innocence. Just use the notebook for whatever you need to. Notes, a diary, letter. Just don’t let your thoughts get the better of you.”
With that, I was led out of the room and back to my cell. The slamming of the door was the last thing I heard before I was left all alone again.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Richard
It had been three days since Daniel had been arrested for his wife’s murder. Two days since he had been transferred to Pentonville prison. I had spoken to James yesterday afternoon once he had been to see him. He’d said Daniel was doing okay, but he was feeling down about the whole situation, which was to be expected.
He hadn’t put my mind at rest, though. I was desperate to see or even just talk to Daniel, but with him being in a solitary cell, it was difficult. The only person they were currently letting in to see him was James, his solicitor.
Add to that the fact that Kye had now been off the radar for the past thirty-six hours, I was starting to lose it. I was beside myself with worry and of no use in the office at all. Jayden had suggested that I should just stay at home, but how could I do that when I knew we had to prove Daniel’s innocence?
The problem was, though, the more I thought about the situation, the more I was starting to think that I would never see the man I loved again. This man had turned my life upside-down in just a few days. I had gone from thinking I would never find someone to love to having the man of my dreams in my bed at night, and now I’d had him torn away from me and placed in a prison cell.
Tyler had been a godsend, probably the same as I was during the time Maddie had gone missing. It was funny how you forgot all the advice and support that you had given another person in the same situation when it was happening to you. He was just about keeping me together throughout this. Just reminding me every once in a while why we were doing this. Of course, I knew why we were doing this, but I guessed it didn’t hurt to be reminded, even if I did lose my rag with him a couple of times.
We had been desperately trying to find a way into Daniel’s security system. We all thought it was strange that none of the other cameras were working both leading up to and during the time the murder took place. Plus, there were the inconsistencies that Kye had found on the tape that the police had. As Kye said, all it currently proved was that someone had tampered with the surveillance video, but it still didn’t prove Daniel’s innocence.
As we sat there trying to find a way through the backdoor to the system, Tyler spoke.
“What I can’t understand is how whoever did this managed it. I’m good at my job, but I’m not sure I would be able to do this if I had to. This is the kind of thing I would expect the likes of Kye to do, which he obviously has done, as he was the one who found it.”
Again, I wasn’t filled with much hope with the way my colleague and friend was talking. I knew he was only trying to let me know why it was taking so long, but the fact that he didn’t know what had been done worried me that he wouldn’t know how to fix it.
I looked up from my screen to see Tyler sitting there watching me.
“I didn’t mean we couldn’t get in, Richard, if that is what you’re thinking. I have just never come across this sophistication before. The situation with Peter had been completely different from this. Peter was good, but he didn’t appear to be as deceitful in his actions as whoever is doing this. What he put in place was pretty regular stuff for a hacker. This is on another level. But we will break it, I promise you.”
He placed his hand over mine as he said the last few words. I knew he would do everything he could to prove Daniel’s innocence, as would every member of the team. It just seemed so hopeless right now. We were just going around in circles and were getting nowhere. I just hoped that whoever Kye was going to meet could help get to the bottom of everything before things got out of hand.
We had run several diagnostic programs on the surveillance footage and were still getting nowhere. Tyler had even messaged Kye in the hope that he might pick up the message and give us some pointers on how to get into the system, but so far, no luck. I looked at the time on my screen and saw that it was coming up to lunchtime. Neither of us had eaten since lunch yesterday, as we had been up all night at my flat trying to find a way into the security system. We both needed some time off and some rest. Hopefully, it might give us some ideas on what to do.
I turned to Tyler, who was still engrossed in his screen. “Come on, let's take a break and get something to eat. My treat. We aren’t going to do ourselves any good if we keep staring at our screens all day. We both need a break, you especially.”
Tyler looked up from his screen and gave me a sad smile and a quick nod. “Yeah, you’re right. I could use a coffee and something to eat. We can check if the guys want anything as well. I’ll go and ask and meet you in reception.”
Tyler got up from his seat and walked out of the office. I sat there for a moment with my head in my hands. I was exhausted, but I knew I couldn’t give up. My future life and happiness depended on the team proving Daniel’s innocence.
Taking a deep breath, I got up from my chair and headed down to reception. Jacky was working, as usual, but today, she didn’t seem like her usual bubbly self. She looked up from her computer screen and looked at me with a sad expression. Before I could say a word, she spoke.
“Richard, how are you doing? Jayden explained everything. I can’t believe they think that lovely Mr. Cooper could do such a terrible thing. He was so kind and sweet to me. He also made a massive difference to you up until the other day. Before you say anything, no, Jayden didn’t tell me. Like the guys, I always knew you were gay. I’m happy you finally found the love of your life, but sad because of what has happened. If you need anything—a cooked dinner, breakfast—just let me know.”
Jacky was always looking out for us all. She was slightly older than all of us, and some would have said she mothered us. But we all knew it was because she loved working here and liked to look after everyone. It didn’t surprise me that she would offer to help or cook for me. I gave her a smile.
“Thank you, Jacky. That is really kind of you. Tyler is staying with me, so he is looking after me. But I really appreciate your thoughts.”
Tyler walked up behind me as Jacky spoke again.
“Well, if you need anything, please say. And Tyler, I expect you to make sure Richard is looking after himself, along with you. I know what you men are like when you are away from your women. Takeaways and alcohol every evening. It’s not good for you.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at Jacky’s comment. She was right. For the past few days, we had been living on takeaways of some description. Even our lunch yesterday had been from the local burger bar. At least if we were in Kings View, we would have had Maddie making sure we ate somewhat healthily. Before Tyler could say a word, I shook my head to say that it wasn’t worth the argument. The pair of us would only lose.
“Would you like anything while we are out, Jacky?”
“No, thank you, Richard. But thank you for thinking of me.”
With that, the pair of us walked out of the office to get our lunch.
