27~ My Troubling Thoughts

BLAKE

"Confess."

Vanessa gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “Confess what?! This is... this is a nightmare.”

I stared at the USB drive, “They’re trying to blackmail me. But why now? After all this time, why come after me now?”

“Maybe they know something we don’t,” Vanessa suggested. “Or maybe they’ve been waiting for the right moment.”

I nodded slowly. “Whatever the reason, we need to find out what’s on this drive. But we can’t do it here. It’s too risky.”

Vanessa agreed. “I’ll take it to a secure location, somewhere we can check it out without anyone knowing.”

“Be careful,” I said, handing her the drive. “And make sure no one follows you.”

She took the drive, nodding her head. “I will. But Blake, promise me something.”

“What?”

“Promise me that no matter what it is, you must protect Jessica."

I nodded affirmatively. "I will."

She turned to leave but made a stop. "And... you’ll tell her the truth, before it’s too late.”

I looked away, sighing heavily. That was something I wasn't su