ADRIAN'S POV
The steel doors groaned open, and Enzo Vitale stepped through first. "Sir," he said quietly, dipping his head just enough to be noticed. "It is time."
I smiled and felt lighter. "So soon?" I asked. "I was just getting comfortable."
"You will find," Enzo replied, "that comfort is about to be redefined."
Boots echoed behind him, and Clara Hayes didn't bother masking her irritation. "This isn't a privilege, Blackwood."
Ryan Mitchell added dryly, "And don't test the hinges, and they close just as fast as they open."
I rose slowly, deliberately. "Detective Hayes. Mr. Mitchell." I glanced between them.
Clara folded her arms. "Move."
Enzo gestured toward the elevator. "Sir, if you would."
As I stepped forward, I felt it shift, the subtle tightening of the air, and the guards straightened, and the corridor seemed to hold its breath.
Ryan muttered, "Unbelievable."
I glanced at him. "You say that like disbelief is new to you."
He didn't respond, and his jaw worked instead. Inside the elevator, Clara positioned herself squarely between me and the door.
"Don't mistake proximity for progress," she said.
I leaned slightly closer not enough to touch. "And don't mistake vigilance for control."
Her eyes flashed. "You are still incarcerated, Adrian Blackwood."
"Am I?" I asked lightly.
The elevator began its descent, and Enzo spoke softly, only for me. "Sir, the perimeter team is in place. Twenty-minute window. No deviations."
"Of course," I said. "I wouldn't dream of improvising."
Clara snapped, "If you whisper again, do it louder. We're all very interested."
Enzo didn't look at her. "I was confirming compliance."
Ryan scoffed. "Compliance. That's rich."
I smiled. "You should hear how he says it when you're not around."
The elevator dinged, sunlight flooded in, and Clara hesitated just a fraction of a second.
Ryan noticed too. "Clear," he said sharply, like he needed to remind himself.
As we stepped into the courtyard, I inhaled deeply. "Ah," I murmured. "You forget how air is supposed to taste."
Clara said, "Don't romanticize it."
"I'm not," I replied. "I'm savoring it."
Enzo glanced around, precise, efficient. "Vehicle is ready."
Ryan eyed me. "No funny business."
"Ryan," I said pleasantly, "if I were planning something funny, you'd already be laughing."
He grimaced. "I don't find you funny."
"That's because you're not the audience."
The transport vehicle waited sleek, reinforced, sterile, and Clara opened the door herself. "In."
I paused. Looked at her. "You're tense."
"Get in."
I smiled and obeyed, and inside, silence stretched. Ryan broke it. "So what's the play?"
Clara shot him a look. "He doesn't get to monologue."
I tilted my head. "Then why ask?"
Ryan shrugged. "Habit."
Enzo said calmly, "Sir prefers transparency."
"I prefer honesty," I corrected.
Clara snapped, "Then start being honest."
"Very well," I said. "You're afraid."
She laughed sharply. "Of you?"
"No," I said. "Of what it means that I'm here."
Ryan shifted. "We're not afraid."
"You should be," I replied gently.
The vehicle slowed, and the building rose ahead of glass, steel, and reflection, and Ryan muttered, "Fort Knox with better lighting."
Enzo opened the door. "Sir."
I stepped out, and Clara followed closely. "Rules still apply."
"I wouldn't dream of forgetting," I said, but I felt lighter and happier. Inside the conference room, the air changed again, and Clara gestured to a chair. "Sit," and I remained standing, watching the two of them wonder why I was not being compliant.
Ryan frowned. "Sit."
I smiled. "You didn't say please."
I sat down, and Enzo took position behind me, silent, immovable. Clara activated the recorder. "This meeting is being recorded."
"Of course it is," I said. "History likes witnesses, and ofcourse I look good on camera."
Ryan leaned forward. "You asked for this meeting Mr Blackwood, and not us. Start talking."
I looked around the room. "Where's Cole?"
Clara's voice hardened. "Captain Cole is not required for this meeting, and he will not be joining us."
"Interesting," I murmured. "He was so integral before, and I was looking foward to seeing him."
Ryan said, "Can you please focus?" And his tone carried impatience and irritation.
"Oh, I am," I replied. "That's the problem."
Clara crossed her arms. "Say what you want."
"I wanted," I corrected, "to see if you will all agree to come."
Ryan blinked. "That's it?"
"For now." I nodded and looked around the room.
Clara stared. "You dragged us out here to test attendance?"
I smiled. "And response."
Ryan shook his head. "You're wasting our time."
"No," I said softly. "I'm defining it."
Enzo spoke quietly. "Sir, perhaps outline intent."
"Of course," I said. "Detective Hayes, what do you think this meeting is about?"
She didn't hesitate. "Control."
I nodded approvingly. "Good."
Ryan frowned. "And you think you have it?"
"I think," I said, "that you're negotiating on my terms."
Clara laughed coldly. "You're still wearing prison blue."
"For now." I nodded again.
Ryan snapped, "Careful, Adrian Blackwood, this is not a fucking game."
I leaned back. "You see? Even now, you're reacting."
Clara's eyes narrowed. "This is going nowhere."
"On the contrary," I said. "It's going exactly where I want."
Ryan exhaled. "Then say it."
I looked at the empty chair across from me. "Cole should have been here," I said calmly.
Clara stiffened. "You don't get to choose our personnel."
"I already did," I replied.
Ryan muttered, "Jesus."
Enzo added softly, "Sir, time."
"Very well," I said. "Here is my offer."
Clara leaned in. "Finally."
"I cooperate," I said.
Ryan's eyes sharpened. "In exchange?"
"I choose when I speak to Captain Cole."
Clara said flatly, "No."
Ryan added, "Absolutely not."
I smiled. "See? That's the honesty I wanted."
Clara pointed at me. "You don't dictate access, you are a prisoner, and we are just in a cooperation agreement,t Mr. Blackwood."
"Then why are we here?" I shrugged my shoulders.
Ryan snapped, "Because you asked."
"And you came, you came because you need me, and that will never change. But I expected that Captain Cole would be here." I insisted.
Enzo glanced at the clock. "Five minutes remaining."
Clara stood. "Meeting's over."
I rose as well. "Then relay this." She paused."When Cole is ready," I said, "I'll already be waiting."
Ryan scoffed. "You're not as important as you think, Mr. Blackwood."
I leaned in just enough for him to feel it. "You wouldn't be here if that were true."
Clara opened the door. "Move." As we walked out, sunlight hit my face again, and I smiled wider this time.
Enzo murmured, "Sir?"
"They felt it," I said. "Every word."
"Captain Cole?" he asked.
"Oh," I replied softly. "He felt it most, and that is what I wanted. "