CHAPTER 9

Isabella sat on the bed and looked out at the dim light issuing from the small window high above her. Something was changed in the air within the cold walls that surrounded her, almost a spark of hope. Her prison time had bestowed upon her some very unexpected allies, and for the first time in a long while, she was not entirely alone.

It was the others who have gradually, yet slowly, begun opening themselves to her: women beat down by life in ways similar to herself. The stories, the pain, and the anger were too much to count, but then again, so was she opening up to them in return. There was a sense of budding comradeship growing between them-a bond she never expected to find within a place such as this.

But even as that strength in her grew, she couldn't be blind to the threat that was ever present. Every step closer she came to the truth, she stepped one step deeper into danger. Somewhere out there was David, and his reach wasn't confined within those prison walls. One mistake, and it would all come crashing down.

A light tap on the bars pulled her from her reverie. She raised her head to see Mary standing beside her, her eyes keen but not unkind.

"I have something for you," Mary said quietly, passing a small, folded piece of paper through the bars. At once, Isabella felt her heart leap into an irregular rhythm. Here it was-revenge via the one-time inmate.

Isabella snatched the note from her and crumpled it into her pocket, nodding silently in thanks. "What did she say?"

"She has contacts," Mary whispered. "There's someone in the legal system, a whistleblower. This person could testify for you, help expose the corruption in your case."

Suddenly, Isabella felt her heartbeat quicken. It was the most promising lead she'd had since the trial. "Do you trust her?"

Mary hesitated, looking around cautiously to make sure they weren't being overheard. "As much as we can trust anyone in a situation like this. But if we move too fast, we could tip them off. David's reach is long, Isabella. You know that."

Isabella nodded, her teeth sunken into her lip. She knew it all so well. David had controlled every single moment of her life since he framed her, and now on the outside, he still held that kind of power over her chances at freedom.

"I'll be careful," Isabella whispered, even though the words felt like an empty promise. Nothing was ever safe inside prison.

Just as Mary was about to leave, a voice boomed down the corridor, freezing them both where they stood.

"Isabella."

It was David. He sauntered with slow deliberation down the hall, his feet echoing clearly on the concrete floor. Wore the same mask of concern he'd always worn, but Isabella knew better now. She saw right through it-the smooth charm, the tone of caring-it was all part of his twisted game.

Mary shot her a quick glance before turning and backing away, disappearing down the hall as David appeared at her cell. Isabella's heart was racing in her chest, but her face was calm, serene, as she refused to let him see the quivering that was going on just beneath the surface.

"David," she said steadily, "to what do I owe the pleasure?

He stopped just outside the bars, his hands casually in his pockets. "I was worried about you. It's been a while since I checked in and I thought it might be nice to see how you're doing."

His voice was smooth, oozing with false kindness, but Isabella wasn't buying it. She met his gaze, her eyes hard. "How thoughtful."

David smiled tightly, eyes raking her face for a weakness. "I know it must be tough in here. I hate seeing you like this. But you should know, I'm still doing everything in my power to help."

"Help?" Isabella scorned, disgust not to be hidden. "You mean control.

David didn't look like he was about to budge. "Isabella, you have always been too emotional. In fact, that is the very reason you ended up here in the first place, letting your feelings get the best of your judgment. I'm offering you an out. I can make this easier on you."

"Is that what you call it?" Isabella asked, her voice cold as ice. "Easier? You're the reason I'm in here, David. You framed me, and now you want me to believe you're my savior?"

He chuckled low and shook his head. "You don't see the big picture. There are forces at play here you can't possibly understand."

"I understand enough," Isabella spat back. She knew he was trying to provoke her, get a rise out of her, but she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction.

David let out a sigh, leaning into the bars. "Isabella, listen-I'm offering you a lifeline. If you play along, I can offer you a reduced sentence. You could be out of here in months, not years."

"And what's the catch?" Isabella asked, an eyebrow raised.

"There is no catch," said David, his smile never quite reaching his eyes. "Just stop digging into things you aren't supposed to be involved in. Let the past go, and we can both move on."

A shiver ran down Isabella's spine. He knew. He knew she was getting close to the truth, and he wanted to shut her up. Her fists were clenched at her sides as her mind whirled on. She had to keep playing along-for now, anyway.

"I'll think about it," she said, softer. "Maybe you're right."

David smiled and seemed to like that response. "Good. I'll be in touch soon."

She watched him turn and walk away, releasing a breath she had not realized she was holding. Her hands were trembling, yet she had never felt more powerful. David's visit had only confirmed what she already knew; she needed to act, and quickly. The time was melting away.

Later that afternoon, in a brief lull, Mary burst once more into Isabella's cell. Again, she issued her another note:.

"I got more information," Mary whispered. "The whistleblower is very highly placed in the legal system. They have just been waiting for an opportunity like this to blow."

"Do we have a name?" Isabella asked, unfolding the note with shaking hands.

Mary shook her head. "Not yet. But we're getting closer. The former inmate is working on it."

The note was burning a hole in her hand as she read it; her heart thumped at an incredible rate. This was what she was waiting for-the break in her desperate search-yet it provided a new sense of urgency because she was running out of time and David was closing in.

"We have to hurry," Isabella said in a whispered tone. "If David finds out we're onto this, he will make sure I never get out of here."

"We'll be careful," Mary said, making sure her voice was firm. "But you really do need to be prepared. This whistleblower may be your last hope."

Isabella nodded, her jaw firming. She'd come too far now to back down. Whatever it would take, she was going to bring the truth out into the open and take David down with it. She only hoped that by then, it wouldn't be too late