The two walked away from the treehouse and trekked around the house. The cold wind was blowing yet again, and its days were being numbered. Soon, spring would be here.
"Ethan and I... we talked when you had gone to talk to the warden of the prison." She began. "Paul, Ethan told me the truth. His truth."
"Oh, let me guess... that he didn't do it on purpose?"
"Yes." She answered.
"And you believed him? You believe that he didn't do it?"
"I'm not saying that he didn't do it." Layla stuttered. "It's just that I believe that he didn't do it on purpose."
"Oh, you too? Come on?"
"Paul, where's the faith you once had in your son? Where's the dad he knew growing up."
"Layla, I'll make it easier for you. The moment you accept what happened, you'll start to live. Just let everything go. It'll lead you nowhere. Trust me, I've been down that road before."
"And you gave up earlier than you should have honey," Layla commented. "Ethan's afraid of telling you what he told me because he was sure that you wouldn't help, and so he told me. Paul, you need to give him another chance."
"Another chance? Why? Why another chance?"
"He's your son, your last living son. And also because he's innocent. He's always been."
"Why do you say that?"
"I talked with him. And he told me of how he drank wine this one moment with Lance. He did of course take his glass and gave Lance his, but something still happened. He lost his mind somewhere in between and something else took control. He wasn't himself."
"Something else took control. What are you saying? Do you even hear what you're saying?"
"He says that it was mind control. I know it sounds farfetched but it's what it is."
"Mind control? From what now?"
"Not what. Who."
"Who? Who now?" He asked. She raised one brow as they stopped in front of the porch in front of the house.
"Who do you think?" She asked.
"Lance Harper?" He answered, unsure.
"Thee one and only."
"That scumbag son of a bitch!" Paul cursed immediately. "How did you even come up with that theory?"
"Ethan has a female doctor friend inside there. Dr. May was her name. And apparently, she somehow figured out everything herself. She said that kind of brain injury, wait... was it brain blackout? Either way, it happens and the person stays more or less inactive for the most part, but Ethan's case was different."
"So... conclusions?"
"Oh. Either this is a new type of disease, or Ethan was truly drugged. Because whatever was used, it needed some sharp scientific minds to be created so that it would alter the brain to that degree. Which is?"
"Lance Harper." He answered, his hand stroking his beard gently. "God, that kid and his science. He never ceases to surprise me."
"I'm following up a lead from our son. I'll talk to Padalecki's daughter and see what I can get from her."
"What's she doing in the equation?"
"It's really a long story. But I feel like she was involved in some ways."
"Layla, our son is in prison for sexual assault, and I was found guilty of bribery... and you, my wife, you've had to share our embarrassment. If word gets out to the public that we are accusing the Padaleckis of something and it turns out that they were not involved in any way, you know what that means, right? The whole Lower Queen Anne will be on our throats."
"For once Paul, will you just stop thinking about your public image and dignity and whatever else you might be thinking of?" Layla asked, and her teeth cluttered when she was done.
"It's not about that, Layla."
"Then what is it? Huh?" She asked, raising her eyebrows at him. "Paul our public image went down the drain two months ago. It doesn't matter now."
"It's not about the public image. It's about your safety. Our safety. Layla, people are watching us. You know how the Padaleckis are adored. You know what the Seattle community thinks of them. What if it happens that you involve yourself in matters that might land you in trouble? That might put your reputation, perhaps your life in danger from their supporters?"
"Nothing is going to happen to me. Hey, I'm not going to mess this up, I promise. It will be a silent investigation."
"Are you sure Layla?" He asked.
"Yes, Paul. I am."
"Promise me. I lost two of my boys, my daughter doesn't want to spend time near old pop anymore, and you... you're all I got. I cannot lose you too. Promise me that I'm not going to lose you too!"
"You're not going to lose me, I promise!" She calmly told her, taking his hands. "Never."
He sighed and snuffed. "Okay then. Can I help?"
"No. Honey you have your own issues with Clara. Your hands are full, I know that. Just focus on your tribunal and let me deal with this. I've missed jumping into your world and pretend to be this badass lawyer."
He chuckled at first. "Fine." Paul cohered later on. "But I want you to be careful."
"I will honey. You do trust me?"
"With all my heart, you know I do."
"So don't worry." She finished. "Come on, let's go see what these people have accomplished so far. The backyard was a bad mess when we got here yesterday."
They found some workers spraying the tree with the treehouse pesticide and heard some movements coming from the same treehouse. Man in black. Woman in white. Both in suits. Wedding rings on their fingers. And warm smiles on their faces. They monitored and supervised the workers. While the world did the same thing back at them. They looked fine if one would take a quick glance at them. It would be difficult to notice their flaws.
"So when are you going to visit her?" He asked her.
"Ingrid?"
"Yes. You said that once you came to the state you were going to have a deep conversation with her about the pregnancy thing."
"She's going to visit Ethan over the weekend when her probation is over. She'll have to pass through here. Then I'll talk to her. There's no rush. She's a big girl after all, right?"
"Yeah. Our little girl, all grown." Paul mumbled as he looked at the treehouse.
"Paul,"
"Yes, honey?"
"Do you think that it's fair?" She asked, her voice heavy and torn.
"What?"
"That she doesn't know she once had a brother named Dylan?"
Pause. Quiet. Silence. She looked at him, her eyes drooping in sadness.
"Come here." He told her. Once close, he embraced her under a warm hug, snaking his arms around her waist, while hers lingered from the small of his back. "Don't worry, don't worry." He told her.
"One day we will have the opportunity to tell her," he continued, "and all the stars will finally align."