"You shouldn't be here." June's voice cut across the room like a whip.
Kate jumped and spun around, guilt and fear on her face.
"I just wanted to make sure he was okay," she said weakly.
"There are other ways to do that," June replied. "And you and I both know that Neal isn't home right now."
"I wanted to see where he was living. To make sure it was better than prison."
"I can assure you, it is."
June was no fool. Being married to a felon had taught her to always have tight security, and when the cameras had picked up a figure scaling the trellis underneath Neal's balcony, there was little doubt in her mind who the young lady could be. She had been up the stairs in record time, and was already waiting in the doorway by the time Kate had slid off the ledge and regained her footing. The dark-haired girl was still standing outside on light feet, ready to run at a moment's notice. At the same time, she was stealing cursory glances around the studio apartment, quietly assessing its luxury.
"I suppose I have you to thank for bringing Neal into my life in the first place," June said coolly. "If it weren't for you, he would never have broken out of prison. He would be free right now, instead of running himself ragged trying to find you."
"It's not what you think," Kate said, her voice trembling.
June didn't say anything. She loved Neal to death, but from the moment he told her about Kate she hadn't been able to understand what he saw in her. It was a strange fascination, to be sure. As far as she could tell, Kate hadn't done anything for him except provide cryptic clues that had him pacing up until all hours of the night. And now here she was, clearly not the damsel in distress he had made her out to be. She thought of the bags under Neal's eyes as he left for work that morning and felt a surge of anger.
"Do you have any idea if the damage you're doing?" she demanded, and was pleased to see Kate cringe at the outburst. "Neal is a wonderful young man, and he deserves much better than you."
"I know," Kate said, surprising her. "I'm trying to make it right."
"Really? Then would you like me to call Neal and tell him that there's someone here who would like to speak with him, or would you rather?"
Kate's eyes flashed.
"I can't do that," she said in a guarded voice.
"Why not?"
"I just can't!" Kate looked terrified. "Please don't tell Neal I was here."
"Give me one reason."
"Because it would break his heart," she said simply. "I can't come back, not yet. When this is all over, he'll understand. But right now, it wouldn't help. Trust me."
"I absolutely will not," June said firmly.
"Do it for Neal," Kate pleaded. "I promise, it's all for the best."
"Do you even care?" June asked pitifully.
"I do!"
"No you don't. Because you don't know anything. You don't know that he tosses and turns at night because he imagines all the horrible things that could be happening to you. You don't know that he could hardly eat for an entire day when we served your favorite food for breakfast. You don't know that he goes to that park with the cupid statue for hours sometimes because it reminds him of you. His entire life revolves around you and you don't give a damn. And deep down, he knows it. And so do I. Because if you really cared about him, you wouldn't be sneaking in through his window when you know he's not home."
Kate had taken a step back so that her back was pressed flat against the balcony ledge. When June finished, she didn't seem to know what to say, and June didn't give her the time to think of something.
"Get out," she ordered, standing aside and pointing to the door. "Now."
Slowly, Kate crossed the room. When she passed June, she said again, "Please don't tell Neal."
June made a decision.
"You have one month to make things right," she said. "And until then, I don't want to see you here again."
Kate nodded slowly. She took one last look at the apartment and seemed satisfied with it. Then she looked back at June.
"Take care of him for me, please," she said.
"I will." She shut the door in Kate's face, knowing that she would not loiter. Sure enough, the footsteps down the stairs started a moment later, followed by the loud shutting of the door.
She would take care of Neal. Better than Kate ever could.