Regina watched blurred city lights from the window of her taxi with tired eyes. Closing them during the ride wasn't an option as she could still see the dead pale skin of the former drug dealer every time she blinks.
Damn it… that poor lost soul. Rationally she knew it was senseless, she couldn't seriously be feeling so shaken by what happened to a criminal, but there she was, giving herself a headache. Well, it's not every day she talks to people hours before they are executed in cold blood. And there was no doubt in her mind that that is exactly what happened. Jefferson looked like a guy, a father, who was given a death sentence, not like the one who welcomed it.
The big unexplained issue of that crime scene was why would Deville, the likely culprit behind the murder, leave her any indications of third party involvement, when she or they went through all this trouble to make it look like a suicide. Why leave the book?
Regina took a deep breath and took her phone to call Tink and update her with the events. She needed her assistant to follow the details of the case, possibly with Graham's help.
After only two rings Regina started reciting the notes and tasks as she stopped at one of her favourite decent neighborhood bars for a quick break before walking home. Crime scene details were not something she wanted to discuss where Henry could hear, especially not after that Hansel and Gretel incident.
"Basically, we need to know if something in relation to Jones pops up in the investigation," Regina explained taking a seat behind the counter.
"You think it's the same people responsible for Jones and Jefferson?" Tink asked after noting all the instructions.
"It would be better for Miss Swan obviously, but to be honest Tink, I really can't tell. Jones went down in glory and fireworks in comparison to the way Jefferson was dealt with. It could be that Deville decided she didn't want such a flashy spectacle, or she personalized it in ways we can't fully appreciate without more details on the inner workings of the drug network she is running. Or…" Regina took a couple of seconds to collect her thoughts, "...or we are chasing the wrong girl. Did Graham got back to us on the matter of Milah the angry ex-girlfriend?"
"Not yet. But I'll send him the news, perhaps he's got some insights."
"Very good. Thanks Tink. I'll see you Monday," Regina concluded, placing the phone on the counter.
She smiled. It's Saturday night and her assistant was taking her phone calls. This entire case is softening her a bit, because not only she took a moment to actually notice the fact, but she found herself feeling grateful for the blonde ball of energy. For some reason, her thoughts flashed to the little nine year old girl that lost a parent today and she suddenly only wanted to go home and hug her son and kiss him goodnight. As she was ordering a nice foamy decaf latte to go, an alert flashed across her screen. Twitter DM.
BelleBooks: Stay right where you are. I'll join you in 10.
Regina's eyebrows lifted in surprise as she scanned her environment searching for a pretty brunette. None of the other faces matched what she remembered Mrs. Gold looked like.
She checked the time. It's almost 10 pm. Just her luck. The bookish woman had wonderful timing.
With an audible sigh Regina motioned to the bartender to stop her order and quickly changed it to a large gin and tonic. It was too late for coffee anyway.
However, Henry and Mal were waiting for her, and his babysitter probably wanted to go home. She had an overwhelming need to rest her head on the counter in frustration. This Belle better turn up, or else Regina was quite ready to swallow her pride and call her mother to get details on the lady and her marriage to the detective and chase her down to whatever basement he kept her in.
It's for Emma. It's worth it.
God, it really felt like it was forever since she last saw her client. If she could, she would text her right now to check that she's ok.
As the drink landed in front of her Regina heard a voice from her right.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting. I had to be sure no one was watching you."
Regina turned around and came head to forehead with a pretty brunette woman in her late 30s.
"BelleBooks I presume," Regina said with a sly wink, as if she was introducing herself to a blind date. "I'm Regina Mills."
"Ms. Mills, nice to meet you in person. Belle Gold."
"Gold? I was under the impression you kept your maiden name."
The tiny woman looked fragile but there was an undeniable strength behind her handshake that slightly surprised the lawyer.
She ordered her drink and sat at the high stool next to Regina before casually cutting to the chase: "Ms. Mills, I'm not stupid. I know you are probably not a fan of my husband."
"No, I can't say he is my favourite person."
"Rumple is a difficult man… A difficult man to love."
"And yet you do. You love him?"
Belle just smiled. "I like you lawyers, always getting to the point. No time for pleasantries."
"It's seems we're both quite eager to share. Well, if you must know, my son is waiting for me at home and it's already quite late."
Regina looked at Belle over the edge of her glass. She definitely looked uncomfortable, chewing her lips and picking on the strap of her purse.
"Mrs. Gold. Why are we meeting like two KGB agents? Are you afraid of your husband?"
The woman blushed and closed her eyes for a moment, as if to think of what to say.
"Ms. Mills… Rumple is a difficu.."
"Yes, you've said as much. Difficult man. But, Mrs. Gold, that does not mean he is entailed to your fear or your anxiety."
Belle nodded. When she looked at Regina again, her beautiful big eyes were filled with tears threatening to spill. At that point the bartender passed her a drink, giving her an additional moment to compose her thoughts.
"Can we… can we not talk about my marriage?"
"Of course. I apologise, it's really not any of my business…"
"No, no it's not. I came to help you, not to explain my life choices."
"I understand," Regina nodded, "What can you tell me about the connection between your husband and my client?"
Belle lowered her voice for an extra fraction before replying: "He, he recognized her when they brought her in that night. When he found out about the circumstances in which she was found, he didn't hesitate. He wants to do the same to her what she did to his son."
"His son?"
"My husband's son is Neal Cassidy."
Regina felt her heart beating in her fingers. She took a shaky breath and reached for a sip of her drink to stop herself from screaming in joy, while her brain started computing all the details she knew about Emma's ex.
"I don't understand… How can this be a secret? We looked into Neal Cassidy's file. There was no mention of any relatives."
"There wouldn't be. Rumple never acknowledged him legally."
Regina saw doubt and fear in Belle's eyes.
"Mrs. Gold, how many people know about this connection?"
"Not many," the other woman shakily replied.
"He'll know," it became quite clear to Regina. "Mrs. Gold, your husband has quite a temper and he is hungry for revenge. You should have seen the state Emma was in when I first saw her. They kept her cold and bruised for hours. That's ruthless. He won't forgive such betrayal."
"I know, I saw her file when he left it on the dining table. I know. But I needed him to change so badly. Now, I can't wait any longer, and I couldn't just leave that girl in jail without telling you this."
"Mrs. Gold, you'll need help. Let me help you. If you want a divorce, I have a friend who is fantastic at it. She wants to turn to marriage law and believe me, if anybody can... "
"You don't understand. He won't hurt me."
Regina took a moment, her eyes falling to the counter in front of them where her companion was nursing a virgin Mojito. "You're pregnant."
Belle's lips did not confirm what Regina immediately know was true. Instead her shoulders stiffened and her voice trembled. "I have to go Ms. Mills. Thank you for the drink."
"Wait!" Regina reached over touching Belle's upper arm. "Just a moment."
She took her purse and got Kathryn's card. "Take this. In case you need help. And please, don't hesitate. You have your child to consider too."
An understanding passed between the two women and Belle took the card and nodded. "Good look."
"Good luck to you too."