Chapter 10 Paul Evidence
TEN
Paul: Evidence
The familiar corridors of the university feel alien as I make my way to Dr. Phillips's office. Each step sends a ripple of pain through my abdomen, a stark reminder of the bullet that nearly ended me. I grit my teeth, forcing my breathing to remain steady.
The doctors warned me against pushing too hard, too soon, but I've never been good at following orders.
Flashbacks of my recovery flit through my mind—the stark white hospital room, the endless hours of physical therapy, the frustration of being confined to a bed when all I wanted was to find Vivianne.
Her face, etched with terror as Nicholas dragged her away, haunts me.
I push it aside and focus on the present.
I'm here, I'm walking, and I'm going to set things right.
As I approach Dr. Phillips's office, the usual bustling energy of the university feels muted. Hushed whispers and furtive glances follow me down the hall. I catch snippets of conversation from a group of students huddled near a bulletin board.
"Did you hear about Viv?"
"I can't believe her dad shut it all down."
"Something big must have happened."
My pulse quickens. What went down last night?
I reach Dr. Phillips's door and pause, steadying myself. The pain in my side throbs, a constant reminder of how close I came to losing everything. I knock, the sound echoing in the suddenly too-quiet hallway.
"Come in." Dr. Phillips's voice is weary.
I push open the door, and the sight that greets me sends a fresh wave of concern coursing through me.
Dr. Phillips, usually the picture of academic composure, looks like he's aged a decade overnight.
His normally pristine desk is a chaos of papers and coffee cups.
He looks up as I enter, and his eyes widen.
"Paul.” He rises from his chair. "My God, we weren't sure you'd—Are you alright?"
I nod, not trusting my voice just yet. Dr. Phillips gestures to a chair, which I sink into gratefully. The simple act of walking here has left me more drained than I care to admit.
"What happened?"
"It was chaos. Absolute chaos." Dr. Phillips runs a hand through his thinning hair. "Vivianne's father showed up at the exhibition last night, furious. I've never seen him like that. He demanded we take down everything immediately."
The necklace. It has to be about the necklace. "What did he say exactly?"
"He was ranting about family secrets, about danger. Said Vivianne had put them all at risk." Dr. Phillips shakes his head. "I tried to reason with him, but he wouldn't listen. He had security guards with him. They started taking down the paintings right there and then."
Cold dread settles in my stomach. "The paintings. Where are they now?"
"They're still in the gallery. We're preparing them for transport to the Faulks estate. Mr. Faulks was insistent that—" He hesitates.
"No." My voice is sharp. "You can't let that happen. You need to make sure those paintings stay here. Don't let anyone take them, especially not Vivianne's father."
Confusion clouds Dr. Phillips's face, but he nods. "Of course, but what's going on? Why are these paintings so important?"
I open my mouth to explain, but the words catch in my throat. How much can I tell him? How much should I tell him? The less he knows, the safer he'll be. But I need his help.
"It's complicated. Those paintings... they're more than art. They're evidence."
"Evidence? Of what?"
"Of a crime that's been decades in the making." I lean in closer, lowering my voice. "I need you to trust me. Those paintings cannot leave this university. Not yet."
He studies me for a long moment, brow furrowed. Finally, he nods. "Alright. I trust you. I'll make sure the paintings stay here. But what about Vivianne? Have you spoken to her?"
The mention of her name sends a jolt through me. "No. I haven't been able to reach her. Do you know where she is?"
"Her father took her home last night. She hasn't been answering her phone. I'm worried about her. The way her father was acting... it wasn't right." Dr. Phillips shakes his head.
My hands curl into fists, ignoring the twinge of pain the action causes. "I need to see her. To make sure she's safe."
"That might be difficult. The Faulks estate is like a fortress. And after last night, I imagine Mr. Faulks will have tightened security even further."
There has to be a way. Some event, some occasion that would force the Faulks family out into the open. And then it hits me.
"The wedding. Vivianne's engagement. When is it?"
"I'm not sure of the exact date, but they were planning to announce it soon." Dr. Phillips blinks, taken aback by the sudden change in topic. "Why?"
"Because that's my way in." I stand, ignoring the protest from my body. "I need to go. Thank you. For everything."
"Be careful. Whatever you're involved in... it seems dangerous." He rises as well, concern etched on his face.
"It is." A grim smile. "But so am I."
With that, I leave his office, my mind already racing with plans. I have calls to make, favors to call in. I need to find out when and where that engagement announcement is happening.
And I need to be there.