CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN - ALLY IN DISGUISE

"Jess," Claire breathed, standing to embrace her old friend. "Thank you so much for coming." Jessica returned the hug warmly before taking a seat across from Claire. "Of course. Though I have to admit, your call came as quite a surprise. It's been what, five years?" Claire nodded, a pang of guilt twisting in her stomach. "I know, I'm sorry. Life just... got away from me." Jessica waved away the apology. "Water under the bridge. Now, tell me what's going on. You sounded pretty shaken up on the phone." As Claire recounted the events of the past few weeks, Jessica listened intently, her expression growing more serious with each detail. When Claire finished, Jessica let out a low whistle. "Well, you certainly don't do things by halves, do you?" she said, a wry smile tugging at her lips. Despite everything, Claire found herself chuckling. "Apparently not. So... do you think you can help?" Jessica leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Absolutely. This Blackwell charac