Between Love and Murder

by Chris Bedell

  Rebecca looked at me. “Do you want to talk to him?”

  I exhaled. “I don’t know.”

  “You have nothing to lose,” Dan said.

  “Except my pride,” I said.

  Rebecca’s scarf bobbed in the wind. “Check that. It might be too late.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “See for yourself,” Dan said.

  My gaze shifted from Rebecca and Dan and back to Archie at the end of the block. Except Archie was no longer alone. My heart fluttered, but not like opening presents on Christmas morning. Archie was currently involved in a lip lock with my favorite person in the world.

  Dan patted my shoulder. “I’m sorry, buddy.”

  “Don’t be. I should’ve known Mallory would make another play for Archie,” I said through gritted teeth.

  AFTER

  TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2018

  Mallory, Dan, Rebecca, Archie, and I were seated at a booth at Deb’s Diner on Main Street. Today was a half day because of parent teacher conferences, so we decided to do something spontaneous.

  Mallory continued studying the menu. “So many choices.”

  Dan laughed. “Agreed. It’s like going to the Cheesecake Factory.”

  I closed my menu, then sipped my diet soda. “I’ll probably get a burger and fries.”

  “That doesn’t sound exciting,” Archie said.

  No offense to Archie, but he didn’t have to act like my grandmother. Not every conversation had to be a matter of life and death. Or maybe I was making too big a deal out of his comment. He might’ve just wanted the best for me. And if that were true, then I’d have a real reason for smiling. It wasn’t that long ago when Archie and I seemed like we’d never get together, and I’d be destined to watch the Archie and Mallory show. I didn’t know what I would’ve done if that happened.

  “I’m fine with that,” I said.

  Archie winked at me. “Hopefully, we’ll have a better meal tomorrow when I meet your mother.”

  “You’re meeting his mom?” Mallory asked.

  No need for Mallory to complicate the conversation. This was supposed to be a casual lunch, not chemistry class. Unless Mallory wasn’t happy that Archie and I were together. I mean, I had to consider that possibility. People often did one thing while thinking another. Mallory was also the girl who asked Archie out just to get back at me, and I couldn’t forget that fact. Even if our current predicament meant forcing myself to be on good terms with Mallory. People didn’t change overnight, so Mallory would always have part of that personality inside her. Even if she might’ve been doing her best do be a good person.

  I snickered. “Yeah. What’s the problem?”

  Mallory’s hair fell behind her shoulders with one swift tilt of her head. “I was just surprised.”

  “Life goes on, Mallory,” I said.

  “I thought we were getting along?” Archie asked.

  Just because Archie didn’t mean harm, didn’t mean I liked what he said. Being with me meant not having it both ways. So, if he knew what was best, then he’d take my side the next time Mallory pissed me off.

  “She started it,” I said.

  Rebecca flipped to the menu’s next page. “Maybe this wasn’t a good idea.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Everything is fine,” Mallory said.

  The waitress arrived at our table a couple of minutes later. “Can I take your orders?”

  We all looked at each other, nodding. Then, the waitress left just quickly as she arrived.

  It only took me several seconds to start drumming my fingers against the table, though. And the burning, tightened sensation in my throat wasn’t because of my grumbling. Nope. I wished this was just a dream after spotting the current headline on the television at the front of the diner. Apparently, earlier today the police found a body in Woodland Park, which was a couple of blocks away from Deb’s Diner.

  “What’s wrong?” Archie asked.

  I pointed to the television. “Look!”

  Mallory, Rebecca, Dan, and Archie shifted their attention to the television. After that, we all exchanged looks, yet none of us spoke. We had to at least speculate whether the body was Tommy.

  Mallory banged her fist against the table. “Fuck!”

  “Not so loud,” Rebecca said. “Just be glad they didn’t mention finding a gun.”

  Mallory grunted. “I’m sorry. How was I supposed to react?”

  “Here you go,” said the waitress before placing our plates in front of each of us. “Anyway, let me know if you guys need anything.”

  “Let’s remain calm,” Archie said after Beatrice once again left as fast as she arrived.

  Dan hissed at us. “If the body turns out to be Tommy, then I want to know who took him out of your house, Mallory.”

  Goosebumps broke out over my skin, but I couldn’t fault Dan for his question. The only way to survive the situation was to be in control of it, and that couldn’t happen when we still didn’t know a lot.

  “Wouldn’t we all like to know the answer to that question,” I said.

  “I’m not one to defend my sister.” Mallory grabbed her fork, stabbed her salad, and took a bite of it. “But it couldn’t have been my sister who took Tommy’s body and gun out of my house.”

  Mallory’s statement should’ve calmed us, yet my heart pounded faster. If we knew Kelly moved the body and gun, then we would’ve had an answer. But no. We were just five teenagers winging our way through a situation that we shouldn’t have been in. Nothing I ever did was bad enough to justify the dark circles under my eyes since the night of the Snowflake Ball.

  “Yeah, yeah. We know she was at the Snowflake Ball,” Rebecca said.

  I glanced at Mallory. “I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: Do you think Gemma was following Tommy that night?”

  “I don’t know what to think at this point,” Mallory said.

  Rebecca leaned in. “We need to come up with a plan fast, otherwise we’ll get a one-way ticket to jail.”

  “If you got any ideas, I’m listening,” Mallory said.

  Funny she should say that. Avoiding responsibility was classic Mallory—whether she accepted the truth or not, she was responsible for our current predicament.

  WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2018

  “This looks great.” Archie scooped rice onto his plate, then grabbed a few pieces of the General Tsao’s chicken.

  Mom giggled. “I just ordered takeout.”

  “It was a smart move—it takes the pressure off coking,” Archie said.

  Mom drank the rest of her water. “Exactly.”

  More moments like this dinner with Archie and Mom should’ve encompassed my life. Something great existed from Archie agreeing with Mom—even if it wouldn’t change how the police found a body. Not every second of the day should’ve been a struggle.

  Mom poured more water from the pitcher on the middle of the dining room table. “Tell me about yourself, Archie.”

  “I play tennis—although not till the spring.”

  I chuckled. “I didn’t know that.”

  Yeah. Even I was capable of restraint. No reason existed to be filled with rage. I didn’t need to know everything about Archie to be secure in our relationship. A little mystery was also a wonderful thing. Life would’ve been boring if I knew every detail about him. It wasn’t like I thought he’d go back to Mallory just because I was unaware he played lacrosse.

  Archie winked. “There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me.”

  Mom ate a spoonful of rice. “Get a room.”

  My cheeks flushed. My sex life—or anything remotely related to that topic—was the last thing I wanted to discuss with my mother. Just like I didn’t need to know everything about Archie, Mom didn’t need to know everything about me—the world would survive.

  Mom grabbed a napkin, then wiped her lip. “Tell me something, Archie. Has Chad ever showed you one of his short stories?”

  “No,” Archie sa
id.

  “Not everything is meant to be shared.” I took another bite of my General Tsao’s chicken. Yum. Nothing like the mixture of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors electrifying my taste buds. The dish couldn’t have been more perfect if the best chef in the world had prepared the meal.

  Mom frowned. “Sharing your writing with your boyfriend is the least you can do. Nobody likes secrets.”

  Boyfriend. I couldn’t deny how it was an interesting word. Regardless of what Archie meant to me, we never once used that word in relation to each other. Yet it was the perfect word to describe Archie, because that was exactly what he was. Even if sometimes, while staring at my bedroom ceiling late at night when I should’ve been asleep, I wondered if Mallory would ever come between us again.

  Archie squeezed my hand. “I’m not gonna force Chad to do anything he doesn’t want to.”

  “That’s a great attitude,” Mom said. “Anyway, any plans for Christmas vacation, Archie?”

  Archie sighed. “No. But I was gonna invite Chad over for Christmas Eve dinner with my family.”

  I sipped my diet ginger ale.

  “What? No reaction to me forgetting to ask you?” Archie continued.

  “It’s gonna take more than ditsy behavior to scare me away,” I said.

  Archie should’ve had more faith in me. Just because I had strong opinions, didn’t mean I had to start trouble over every little thing. Contrary to popular opinion, I actually wanted to be happy.

  Mom’s grin widened. “It’s fine with me if Chad wants to spend Christmas Eve with your family, it’s not like we do anything.”

  “Are you sure, Mom?” I asked.

  Giving Mom an opportunity to change her mind wasn’t about being quirky or neurotic. It was about being a good son. Just because we weren’t religious, didn’t mean I was oblivious to how it’d be difficult to be alone on a holiday. It was only a couple of years ago that Mom, Dad, and I had our last Christmas together.

  I couldn’t swallow the lump in my throat. Damn. I couldn’t believe that Dad’s death wasn’t the worst thing I had to suffer through, because I never once considered that I might be arrested someday. Being an accessory to murder wasn’t the type of thing most teenagers dreamed about writing for their college essays.

  “Yeah, it’s fine,” Mom said.

  Archie looked me right in the eye. In fact, I would’ve melted if he stared at me with any more intensity. “What do you say?”

  I nodded. “I’m in.”

  “Good. It’ll be so great for you to meet my parents and sister,” Archie said.

  “You have a sister?” I asked.

  “Yeah, but I try not to think of her much—she’s a real bitch,” Archie said. “Although it helps that she’s away at college most of the year.”

  More deep breaths. Not realizing Archie had a sister still wasn’t cause for panic. The continued mystery made our relationship more interesting. Besides, I’d take a sibling reveal over the current Tommy drama any day.

  THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2018

  Leaves crunched underneath my feet while snow fell from the sky. Archie also happened to be walking through the woods with me. Apparently, Mother Nature couldn’t wait for winter’s official start date for the first snow of the season.

  “What was with the cryptic text?” I asked after Archie and I led the group to the clearing in the woods.

  “Why does everything have to be an argument with you?” Mallory snapped.

  Mallory should’ve realized the irony of what she said. Every dynamic—whether platonic or romantic—took two people to make work. So, if Mallory expected me to be nice to her, then she also had to pay the same kindness.

  Rebecca adjusted her scarf. “Don’t start now.”

  “It’s almost Christmas. Let’s be nice to each other,” Dan said.

  Mallory put her hands on her hips. “Don’t you watch the news?”

  “Yes, but Archie and I have been hanging out all afternoon,” I said.

  Dan smirked. “Is that a euphemism for something?”

  Leave it to Dan to lighten the mood—even if his comment made me nearly as uncomfortable as discussing sex with Mom. I felt exposed, like I was running around naked with all my clothes on.

  I shrieked at Dan. “That’s none of your business!”

  “It’s not polite to kiss and tell,” Archie said.

  Mallory snorted. “I’m gonna be sick.”

  Mallory shouldn’t have responded so cruelly. If she had a problem with Archie and I dating, then she should’ve said so. Or at least put on a better façade. Even Pinocchio’s growing nose would’ve been more convincing than her current demeanor. If she got one more frown line, the she’d have to get Botox ASAP.

  “You said you had something to share?” I asked.

  “The police identified the body in Woodland Park,” Mallory said.

  “And?” I asked.

  “It’s Tommy,” Mallory blurted.

  No. No. No. Mallory couldn’t have said what she just did. A little unfairness was one thing, yet the universe couldn’t have been so mean. Dan, Rebecca, Archie and I didn’t deserve to have our lives ruined because of Mallory’s drama.

  Rebecca put her hands in her jacket pockets. “And you’re telling me now?”

  “I was waiting for Dumb and Dumber to get here,” Mallory said.

  Wow. Good to know Mallory had a high opinion of me. It wasn’t as if I was helping her avoid arrest or anything.

  “Don’t talk to us like that,” Archie said.

  Way to go Archie. About time he picked his balls up off the floor. Some issues were worth fighting for because Archie and I deserved to be treated with respect. Especially if Mallory wanted us to continue helping her.

  The wind howled, and clumps of snow fell off the trees. My teeth chattered and I shivered, the temperature so cold that I could see my own breath. So, maybe, just maybe, I shouldn’t have worn my basketball shorts tonight.

  “Why couldn’t we have talked in your bedroom?” I asked.

  “Duh! I couldn’t risk Kelly overhearing our conversation,” Mallory said.

  “What do we do?” Archie asked.

  “This should be a group vote, but I think we should still stick to the Snowflake Ball—that’s our alibi,” Mallory said.

  I huffed. “Fine. But that still leaves one thing. Who moved the body, and is that person sending the police anonymous tips?”

  “That’s two things,” Mallory said.

  “Same difference,” I said.

  FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018

  Getting excused from a class was the last thing I expected to happen on the Friday before Christmas vacation. That was the type of thing students dreamed about, not something that actually happened.

  At my high school, teachers had their own offices so they could meet with students during their free periods, as opposed to one faculty room for the whole department. I opened Kelly’s office door and I shook my head. Archie and Mallory were standing in front of Kelly’s wooden desk while Kelly remained seated in the swivel chair behind it.

  “Shut the door,” Kelly said.

  I did what she asked. Sometimes, obeying adults was the right thing to do. The contempt radiating from Kelly’s eyes couldn’t have been faked.

  “Why are they here?” I asked.

  Kelly slid her elbows onto the table. “They’re a part of this like you.”

  I shrugged. “I don’t understand.”

  “She knows Mallory killed Tommy and that we’re covering it up,” Archie stammered

  Great. Just what my life needed. Another variable. Life was already hard enough as it was, and I deserved a break.

  I blinked. “Really?”

  Kelly’s mouth gaped. “Yup, because I’m the one who disposed of Tommy in Woodland Park, and we’re gonna have to come up with a plan if we want to avoid jail.”

  “Then call Dan and Rebecca to your office, because they’re also a part of this,” I said.

  “Fine, I�
��ll do that,” Kelly said. “Do any of you know what class Dan and Rebecca are in right now?”

  “Calculus with Mrs. Parks,” Mallory said.

  “Thanks.” Kelly reached for the phone next to her computer, then punched numbers.

  “What’s going on?” Rebecca asked several minutes later, locking the door once she and Dan stepped into the office.

  “We need to get our stories straight,” Kelly said.

  Rebecca gave Kelly a look. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “She knows about Tommy,” Mallory blurted.

  Dan laughed. “There’s nothing to know.”

  “Save it,” Kelly said. “If the police ask, then you never saw Tommy that night. You guys were at the Snowflake Ball and that’s all you need to know.”

  “We already established this,” Rebecca said.

  Rebecca should’ve known better than to make the comment she just had. Any reprieve from class should’ve been welcomed. Even a discussion about avoiding going to prison because of the Tommy situation. It’s not like an opportunity for being an accessory to murder would present itself again. The chance was one of those once in a lifetime things.

  Kelly straightened a stack of papers on her desk. “Never hurts to go over the story—the police might talk to you. Tommy and Mallory’s relationship was common knowledge, after all.”

  “I still don’t understand why you’re involved,” Rebecca said.

  “She dumped the body in the park,” I revealed.

  “What about the gun and flash drive?” Dan asked.

  “I have them in my bedroom safe,” Kelly said.

  “Why insert yourself into this?” Rebecca asked.

  Mallory sighed. “I was a mess this morning and I had no choice but to reveal the truth. However, I only mentioned Chad and Archie. Chad is the one who mentioned you two.”

  One. Two. Three. Four. Five.

  No big deal about Mallory blaming me. There were more important things worth discussing—like making sure none of us cracked under the pressure. Only one wrong move was required for the situation to implode.

  “How did you get rid of the body if you were at the dance?” Rebecca asked.