- Woz, what's happening? - I was escorted out of the cell and a gard led me into the corridor.
- I've bailed you strict rules while they are investigating...bilding the case against you. - Woz was standing with a victorious posture.
- How much did you pay? - I streched out trying to consentrate.
- 25 thousand...let's go - He took me by the hand.
- Woz! That's insane! - My voice sounded raspy and squeaky.
- Everything is covered. You can't stay here. - His grip was made of steal.
- I'll pay you back, Woz. I promise...- When we got in his car i gently kissed him on a cheek.
- Stop it...that's what fathers do for their daughters... - He started the car with hardly noticeable smile.
My heart dropped. Woz really loved me like his own daughter. I looked away trying to hide my tears.
That day i spent with Christina. She was so strong compared to me. Woz and everybody were working on my case and i was sitting at home, doing nothing. The
terms of bail were strict. I couldn't interfere.I was ordered to go through psychiatric evaluation which disturbed me to the core. Myers was doing her work to make
me look crazy.
- Harlee, the case will be build on the photos and Gina's call. Also they will try to turn things around and make you the obsessed one not Stahl.
FBI is trying to cover their arse. Their Agent,even a former one has to be clean. - Waz was scretching his head nervously.
- They fired him!He crossed the line when he started to contact my daughter...he kidnapped me for God's sake! I almost died! - My head was boiling up.
- Harlee, you should know that the truth is irrelevant when it comes to their image...i'm afraid they will try to recover him...made him look like a victim in your
hands...- Waz couldn't hide his frustration.
- What!? - I couldn't believe that it wasn't a nightmare that i could wake up from. It was really happening.
- Harlee...it's a war...be ready...i won't let them harm you...- Waz gave me one of his reassuring smirks.
I knew that he would try everything to help me but i felt i was sinking and nothing and no one could save me.
- Well,Ms. Santos. My name is Louise Todeski and i'm going to evaluate your mental state. - A woman in grey suit with blond hair and big green eyes
streched out her hand to welcome me.
- Nice to meet you, Doctor Todeski. I heard a lot about you... - I shook her hand as firmly as i could. That woman had a reputation of being very flexible with FBI.
- Please, have a sit. - She sat down infront of me. Her stool was visibly higher than mine.
- We begin with simple questions and tests...just say whatever pops up in your head...first impression- Her voice sounded very silky but it felt fake and rehearsed.
She showed me cards,pictures. I was trying to answer every single one with maximim consentration, thinking about the most normal and adequate options.
- Ms. Santos,relax. You're overthinking it. This is not working like that. - That woman knew what she was doing.
- I'm trying... - I was keeping my poker face on. Before going on that freaking evaluation i spent 3 hours preparing - meditated, concealed dark circles under my
eyes, got dressed in the most formal clothes i had. I wanted to pass it and prove that i was totally sane and stable.
- I can see that. Let's cut to the chase. These simple tests don't work on you, . You are trying to outsmart me. But you are not the first and not the last to try it. We
are here because you are under invastigation. - Her silky voice started to annoy me so badly. Too much of self-righteousness.
- I'm an open book, Dr. Todeski. - I wasn't going to show her my real emotions.
- Let's find out. You've had a traumatic event and you didn't have a proper counseling afterwards. You've insisted that the man who allegedly kidnapped you, has
returned. But there is no evidence of it. Only your words. - She was reading from paper like a teacher at school. Word "allededly" hit me like a whiplash.
- I was kidnapped by a deranged man but i got away almost bleeding out to death. I have coping skills because i've been a detective for 10 years.
I know that i saw that man. I wasn't hallucinating. - I was looking dead in her eyes trying to sound as confident as possible. Lying was my main coping skill.
- I applaude your stamina, Ms. Santos. Though there are no facts to back it up. Tell me about the situation and why do you think that he has come back - She took out a pen.
- It was a situation that happened because the man got obsessed and stalked me. He is a sick person. And i know him well enough to be sure that he can't help but
come back to haunt me. He won't stop. - I was trying to hide my shaking hands under the table.
- I see. - Her eyes were examining me. Every move, every gesture.- Ms. Santos, right now i'm trying to evaluate how stable you are and how adequately you percieve
reality. That man obviously traumatized you to some extent. But now it's about the murder.
- I understand it. - My headache started to kick in.
- Ms. Santos, are you 100% sure that you didn't kill that woman? - I could tell by the tone of her voice that she was judging me.
- Yes,i'm. - My hands were wet and i could feel my tempreture rising.
- I can notice that you're shaking, Ms. Santos. Even when you try to hide your hands under the table. - Her arrogant tone was nauseating.
- It's a stressful and embarassing situation so it's a normal reaction. - I shook my head trying to keep my cool.
- Well, I evaluate what's normal and what's not. Ms. Santos, did you have sexual relationship with the man who allegedly kidnapped you? - She was staring at me. I
was under her microscope.
- No...i did not... - I emphasized every word cringing inside. Memories of Stahl were attacking me. Everytime that i was close to him, everytime i kissed him.
- Ms. Santos, the truth is the only way out of that situation. - She gave me one of those smirks that people use to show that they don't believe you.
- I'm telling the truth. He wanted it but I never did. - I enanciated every word supressing the rage inside.
- Ms. Santos, it's a hard topic to talk about as i can see by your reaction. - One tilt of her blond hair made me realise that i failed.
- You think that i'm lying... . I'm just uncomfortable answering this kind of questions. - I was using my Last shreds of my composure.
- Ms. Santos,i think our session is over. You will be informed in couple of days. - She stood up abruptly, streching out her hand to me.
- Thank you for your time...- I could hear my heart beating in my ears like a drum.
I walked out feeling nausea and barely made it to the bathroom.
- Shit - I hissed through my teeth looking at my sweaty red face. What happened to me? I wasn't in control anymore.
I splashed some cold water on my face. That evaluation was too short and biased. I could feel it. I knew it. FBI was on me and they wanted to put me in jail. I drove
home to have a quik shower. The phone call interrapted my plan.
-Who is this? - I was so nervous and frustrated.
Silence answered me.
- Hallo? - My irritatation grew.
Again nothing but i could hear someone was on the line.
- Who is it? I can't hear you...- I felt cold sleezy touch of fear.
- Are you ready,Harlee? - Painfully familiar voice sent shivers down my spine.
- Stahl? - My heart was about to jump out of my chest.
I heard how he exhaled and hung up abruptly. I slid on the floor, clutching the phone so tightly that my hand hurt.
- Woz, i need to talk to Gail Baker! - I called Waz right after that horrific session.
- Harlee, she won't help you! She is a part of a system... - His voice sounded so tired and sad.
- I just want to talk to her...she should listen! - I turned the corner pulling up right infront of FBI Headquarters.
- Harlee, don't make it worse!Go home! - He was trying to stop me but i made up my mind.
- Stahl called me! I heard his voice! I need to talk to her!I'll call you back... - My mind was spinning and i had to do something.
- Harlee! Without evidence she won't believe you! Don't go there! - I could hear panic in his tone but I hung up abruptly.
I walked in and instantly had a deja vu. I've been there so many times, looking for Stahl to confront him or to make him change his mind. On the day that i had to
tell him about Miguel and what he did to me,I could see his genuine shock and compassion.
- Can i see Gail Baker? - I came up to a secretary. She was new and didn't know who i was.
- Do you have an appointment? - The secretary politely nodded to me and started to check the computer.
- No, but she knows me. It's a very important situation. I need to talk to her. Is she here? - I said hastily.
- I'm sorry but she is busy and you have to make an appointment...What's your name? And... - She was about to do her usual routine.
- So she is here!Thank you... - I didn't have time for all that BS.
I rushed to Baker's office not paying attention to the secretary's shouts.
- Gail, i need to talk to you! - Stormed in without knocking.
Baker was sitting with 3 agents. They all looked at me like i was a ghost.
- Detective Santos?! - Gail stood up throwing daggers with her eyes.
- I know it's it's urgent. - I wasn't going to back down.
- Ok, jentelmen. After short break we will continue. - Baker firmly nodded to agents. They left giving me disapproval looks.
- Gail, he's called me 15 minutes ago! - My voice was raspy and shaky.
- Harlee, who called you? - Baker crossed her arms which was a bad sign.
- Stahl! He said " Are you ready?"! It was him!He threw me that knife in the car after he killed Gina! - I was trying to sound as calm as possible
but my nerves got the best of me.
- Harlee, then why didn't you come to me with that knife? Why did you decide to get rid of it? - Gail was burning me with her heavy stare.
- I was so drained and confused!Got cold feet! I've screwed up, i know that...Gail, you know me! I'm not a cold blooded murderer...and you know Stahl. He has no
limits...you fired him because of it! - I was trying so hard to get to her.
- Harlee, he crossed the line when he contacted your daughter but to accuse him of murder, there has to be more than your words. - Baker was adamant.
- How can you say this?! He kidnapped me and i almost died! - The nightmare was neverending. Gail was cold as ice.
- You almost died becaude you slit your wrist. It wasn't him. In fact he called 911. - Baker's indifferent tone was killing me.
- Really? So he is a HERO! He run away because he knows what he did! - I couldn't take it anymore.
- Calm down...there's no need to throw a fit here. We can't accuse anybody without a proof. In your case,Harlee, we have undeniable evidence. - She picked up the p
hone and started to dial a number.
- Gail! Listen to me! Who took these pictures? Who sent them? - I leaned over to her.
- It was an anonymous sourse. But they are real and that's what matters. Even if he is here and he called you, it won't help your case. - Gail's tone was cold as steel.
- So you can even clean his image if he comes back and I will be turned into a monster! Thank you, Gail! - I hit the table and was about to leave.
- Harlee, you look very unhealthy and your behavior plays against you...think about it...- I heard her quiet remark with hardly noticeable shade of compassion but i
didn't look back. I was done.