The Call Boy I Met in Paris – Episode 58
Justin did not dismiss Sophie’s fear. He asked her to list every inconsistency she remembered from the weeks before her mother died, then wrote each one down without turning suspicion into certainty. The discipline steadied her. For years, her questions had been treated as emotional weakness; he handled them like facts worth examining.
“Patrick can preserve public and corporate records without contacting Stella,” he said. “The café investigation will proceed separately. We do not need to accuse anyone before we know what the evidence supports.”
Sophie studied him. “You make Patrick sound capable of accessing half the city.”
“He is resourceful.” Justin offered the familiar answer with a straight face, though she sensed another locked door behind it. Today she lacked the energy to force it open.
“I can handle Stella,” she said. “I have survived her this long.”
“Last night was not survival by skill. Ted arrived because you shared your location.” Justin’s voice softened, but his meaning did not. “You should not put yourself in danger for evidence you may never obtain.”
“I cannot spend the rest of my life avoiding her.”
“I am not asking you to hide.” He took her hand, careful of the medical tape left on her skin. “I am asking you to let someone stand beside you.”
The request reached deeper than an offer of protection. Sophie had built her independence around the belief that needing anyone gave them power to abandon or control her. Justin, despite all his secrets, had repeatedly used his power to give choices back.
“You really believe me?” she asked. “Even when the official story says my mother killed herself and I have nothing but questions?”
“I believe that you deserve answers.”
Sophie leaned against him, allowing herself the comfort she usually resisted. “Thank you.”
Justin kissed her forehead. “Rest. I will help you, but you have to take care of yourself too.”
Over the next day, the public scandal began to recede. Ted’s statement confirmed that he had found Sophie incapacitated, medical documentation contradicted the claims of ordinary drunkenness, and several accounts removed their posts after receiving legal notices. An official clarification reached every major outlet that had repeated the accusation.
Stella never apologized. Instead, an invitation arrived for the public reception celebrating her 2024 Monet Award. The event would display the winning painting and place Stella before critics, patrons, and cameras as its acclaimed creator.
Sophie read the invitation twice. Avoiding the reception would protect her from another trap, but it would also allow Stella to claim Justin’s work without challenge. More importantly, it might convince Stella that fear had silenced every question about the past.
“I am going,” she told Justin.
He looked at the invitation, then at the determination in her face. “Then this time, you are not going alone.”