Page 35 of Into The Rabbit Hole

Even though Regina wanted this guy caught and dealt with, she could see Cora’spoint.

“But he moves around, moves from that location?” Benasked.

“I have the code he’s using now, so I can track him easily. Trust me, what we need is a virus of sorts to disable him.” Corasmiled.

“And you’re going to tell us next that you can rig up such a virus?” Detective Frayasked.

Cora smiled again and nodded. “I am. I need time, though, maybe a little over a week.” She winced. “I know that’s a long time given what’s happening, but I need to test whatworks.”

Detective Fray nodded. “In the meantime I’ll set up some sort of surveillance at Huntington and extra protection for you guys.” He looked over at Regina andBen.

His eyes lingered on Ben, and when he looked back to Regina she saw that apprehensive lookagain.

“Thanks, Cora. I’d like to speak to the Vandervilles for a few minutes inprivate.”

“That’s fine. I’m done here. I’ll keep you posted on any developments.” Coranodded.

“Thanks, Cora,” Regina toldher.

“Mypleasure.”

Once Cora left, Detective Fray focused on them. Regina knew even before he opened his mouth that this was going to be about Ben and his recentdiscoveries.

“There’s a lot I need to ask you two,” Detective Fray began. “In two days there have been two major scandals in relation to you.” He motioned at Ben. “Any idea what could be coming next? It’s a good idea to tell me now so that we can deal with it as part of ourinvestigation.”

Regina could tell he was trying for subtlety, but really, he was serious. The accusations made against Ben were veryincriminating.

“I would prefer to deal with the situation at hand,” Ben toldhim.

Regina glanced across at him and wondered how long he was going to sing that tune. Once it was revealed that Ben killed Aaron’s mother, there would be all sorts ofupheaval.

“Is this how you feel, too?” Detective Fray asked her. “Because if Ben’s found guilty and we find that you had any knowledge of what happened, that could incriminate youtoo.”

Great. That was exactly what she needed. She opened her mouth to answer, but Beninterrupted.

“My wife has nothing to do with any of my actions,” he blurted, stunning her. “My actions are my own. I don’t discuss office affairs with her at home, and we’re about to enter divorceproceedings.”

Regina couldn’t take her eyes off him. She felt like somehow she’d slipped into some kind of alternate reality, because this couldn’t be the Ben she knew. The man she knew would never think to protect her like that, like this. And she supposed he would be signing the divorce papers,then.

“Okay, thank you for sharing that with me.” Detective Fray looked between them both and then fixed his gaze on Ben. “I would urge you, however, to come forward and talk to me if there’s something you need to confess. It will be much worse for you if you don’t. It’s very clear that this Aaron has a vendetta against you. He tried to kill your daughter, killed Jackson Donovan, and framed Wade for murder. I highly doubt that they’re doneyet.”

“We’ll talk at some point, detective,” Ben stated, surprising her further. “I have a lot to talk about and a lot to tell you. But I would be grateful if you could help me protect my family and their loved ones first. It’s not a trade, it’s just aplea.”

This was making her feel uncomfortable. She wasn’t used to this Ben, and seeing him this way made what was happening so muchworse.

Defeat.

That was what it was. She looked ahead at the grainy white wall and the small abstract painting in the center of it. That was what her life felt like. Like an abstract. Neither here nor there. Not really making sense. Anything could happen from hereonwards.

“Okay.” Detective Fray nodded. “I’ll have it on record that you made arrangements to speak tome.”

“Thank you,” Ben said and glanced over at Regina. “Are we free to go now? My son needsme.”

Ben had indeed arranged a new lawyer for Wade, but he was still helping out in theinvestigation.

“You’refree.”

They both got up. Regina would have liked to speak to Detective Fray some more but thought she needed to talk toBen.