Chapter 30 The Long Drive Home

• I waited in the dimly lit room, where Jake and his new business partners were having their meeting. It was getting dark now, and the room getting dim as their meeting continued. My mind was racing with thoughts I couldn't quite pin down, even though I was getting the attention of the host of the party like a prestigious guest. Jake and his business partners were still seated around the table, some smoking while the others gulp down their drinks as if they were mere water. The women too, were all half drunk by now, and lying lazily around the men. Except, of course, Jake who seemed not to be giving the women any more attention. He only concentrated on their discussion, which was now with voices that were as low as a murmur. I couldn't make out what they were discussing but I knew it was important to Jake. He had assumed to me before we came here that these guys were going to help him clear his name and prove his innocence in the scandal that had been tearing his reputation apart. I wanted to believe Jake, needed to believe him because this fight was my fight too, in a way.
• When their meeting finally came to an end, it was almost midnight. Jake stood up first, his face was a mask of determination mixed with a hint of unease. The men also stood up, with their faces unreadable. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off about them. But I trusted Jake. And if he believed they could help, then I had to trust that too.
• We walked to Jake's car in silence, with the night air now very cold against my skin. We got into the car, Jake's eyes were on me, glancing at me occasionally. I wasn't sure if Jake was thinking about the guy who had almost attacked me or the strange meeting we had just left. Either way, I didn't want to add to his stress by asking too many questions right now. There would be time for that later.