"Jessica?"
Jessie turned, startled by the voice when she had not noticed anyone in the hallway when she left her room. Count Marcus leaned leisurely against the doorframe right across from her bedroom. His black hair was unbound and partially covered the right side of his face, casting shadows. His eyes seemed to glow but Jessie couldn't focus on them. His hands were in his suit pockets and Jessie felt very sloppy next to him.
"Good afternoon," she managed weekly.
"Are you feeling all right?" Marcus voice seemed to have fingers as the deep velvet sound moved through her and tickled her heart.
"I'm fine, really," Jessie smiled. "I think I might be coming down with a cold. I feel a little sluggish today."
Marcus glided towards her in smooth even strides. His eyes were unwavering and consumed her with their mystery.
"I hope this has nothing to do with our discussion last night." His voice was the soft and full of regret.
"Of course not!" Jessie stepped back. "This cold is probably why I passed out. Please don't worry about it. I'll just take it easy for the next few days."
Marcus smiled at her explanation and joined her as she walked down to the breakfast room.
"I'm glad that I did not cause you discomfort," he replied. "I know our topic was sensitive."
"Claire," Jessie breathed out her friends name and it tore at her as she allowed it to escape into the air. "I've talked about Claire before. It hurts but she was a good friend. On some days I could talk about her for hours, on others I can't even look at her picture. At home, there isn't anyone to talk to about her."
"Do you not speak to Jonathon?" Marcus gave her a surprised side ways glance.
"I did," Jessie stopped walking and looked into Marcus' warm eyes. "I did at first, but it was hard for Jonny too. Claire was our friend."
"But she belonged to you," he replied softly. "She was close to you, she was what Jonny and Hadji could never be for you."
Jessie's jaw dropped and her lip trembled.
"She belonged to you," he repeated softly. "Women have a connection to the heart that I'm afraid men have not. A women's friendships are deep and complicated. Just as good friendships are. She had a part of you that Jonny and Hadji will never get, so to speak."
"Yes," Jessie looked down. Claire did belong to her. Did. Her eyes filled with tears and fell silently.
"I will be more then happy to listen to you tell me about Claire." Marcus tilted her chin up and wiped her cheeks with the back of his hand.
"Thank you," Jessie suddenly became aware that she was too close to Marcus and stepped back. She laughed from embarrassment and quickly wiped her tears away.
"Perhaps I can help."
Jessie froze. Help? No, no one can help.
"I don't think anyone can help me. Unless they can tell me who did it." Jessie crossed her arms. "I just need time to let go. Claire wouldn't want me to hold on like this."
"Let go? Maybe because you had no options." Marcus looked at her thoughtfully. "I have my own resources. Perhaps I can help you find the person responsible."
Jessie felt her heart leap at the possibilities. Her eyes grew large and hopeful as Marcus smiled at her gently.
"I would not offer something if I did not think I could make a difference," he whispered and placed a gentle hand on her arm. "But I do not want to harm you or upset you either. If letting go is what you want. . ."
"No," Jessie gasped and brought a hand to her chest as though she could slow her racing heart with the touch. "I would be better if I knew the truth. Closure."
"Closure," Marcus echoed. "Closure is important if we are to be the people we are meant to be, we need closure to understand fully where we have been."
"My dad and Dr. Quest have a lot of resources. . ." Jessie grabbed at her mind and tried to stay realistic even as the hope lit up her need to get to the truth, completely overwhelming all sensible thought.
"I have my own." Marcus smiled down at her and gestured to the breakfast room.
Jessie felt her body tighten and come to life. She had only dead ends where Claire's investigation was concerned, could Marcus really make a difference? Was it too much to hope for?
"Let's keep this between the two of us," Marcus requested gently. "If Claire is a sensitive subject that Jonathon has trouble hearing about her, knowing that I'm encouraging you to investigate will not make me popular."
"Don't worry," Jessie smiled widely. "Jonny doesn't need to know."
Marcus returned her smile and they both sat together as Jessie ate a small lunch.