Between Love and Murder

by Chris Bedell

  This conversation was one of those times when “I don’t know” was a valid answer.

  Deciding what to do about Archie couldn’t be rushed, I had to live with what I’d do about him. So, that was why I just drifted through the hallway when the bell rang after another beat. The pain from Archie and Mallory betraying me again was too much—I almost wished I’d skipped school and stayed in bed. I could only deal with so much crap before not giving a fuck about anything anymore. Enough tears had welled in my eyes over the past couple of days to last several lifetimes.

  No matter how much believing in Archie’s redemption temped me, Archie wasn’t the person I thought he was. And I had no idea what the hell I was supposed to do with that fact. The empty feeling continued growing while I sat down at a desk in back of my first period class.

  AFTER

  FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019

  “Sounds like you handled Kelly, so there’s no reason to worry,” Gemma said.

  We stood in an empty hallway before first period. Although the possibility of students walking by wasn’t the reason for my constipated face. I didn’t understand how Gemma could be so calm. One false move could get Gemma and I in a lot of trouble. Like if my fleeting guilt made me abandon our mission. Or if Gemma betrayed me because Mallory killed Tommy to save me.

  “I know, but we need to be careful,” I said.

  She took her sweater off, then tucked it under her armpit. “You’re just overreacting. You couldn’t have seriously texted me about chatting just to call off our scheme?”

  “No,” I stammered.

  “Please stop wasting my time and move onto the next step of the plan. We need to get Mallory’s locker combination, and Kelly can help. Being Mallory’s guardian means she has access to her school account, including her locker combination.”

  I put my hands on my hips. “I’m aware of that.”

  “Don’t just stand there—do something about it. For better or for worse, you’ve got a connection with Kelly.”

  “I want more time.”

  “I’m tired of waiting,” Gemma said.

  Having more patience wouldn’t have killed Gemma. I risked a lot by helping her, and she could’ve pretended to be thankful for my assistance. That was what I would’ve done if roles were reversed. Doing so was the right thing to do—no law or rule required me to scheme with her, yet I was.

  I looked down at the floor. “I’m not saying I want to abandon the mission.”

  “Then what?” Gemma asked.

  Yeah. She needed to check her attitude. Annoyance was one thing, but she needed to calm her voice if she wanted me to continue working with her. We wouldn’t get anywhere if I recoiled in her presence.

  “We should investigate the Parker and Jordon situation.”

  “That’s all the more reason to plant the gun, diary, and flash drive in Mallory’s locker.”

  “Let’s talk to Sami—see if she’s suspicious about Jordon’s death.”

  Her gaze narrowed. “Do you think Sami wants to chat about the guy who cheated on her? I don’t. It’d just upset her.”

  “I don’t care—we’re doing this Friday.”

  “Fine.” Gemma pointed her index finger against my chest. “But if you continue stalling, then I’m gonna make your life a living Hell.”

  “Fair enough.”

  THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

  “I’m glad we did something easy for Valentine’s Day,” I said.

  Archie and I sat at his dining room table—his parents were out of town for several days, so we had the house to ourselves in addition to how Mom said I could sleepover. A white box also rested between us on the linen tablecloth.

  Two candles with flames flickering were to the left of the box, yet I didn’t chastise Archie. If we were gonna have a corny date, then today was the day. There was something about the lit candles creating an atmospheric setting that almost tricked me into thinking life would be perfect.

  “Same,” Archie said. “Now let’s eat.”

  I opened the box, and the aroma of cheese, tomatoes, and other herbs lingered in the air. I took two slices just like Archie.

  I winced after glancing at my champagne flute.

  “Something wrong?” he asked.

  “I hope your parents won’t be angry with us for drinking their champagne,” I said.

  “You worry too much. They’ve got too many bottles in the cellar to notice if a couple of them were consumed.”

  “Good point.”

  “I probably shouldn’t say this, but I will.”

  I took my first bite of pizza. “Just tell me—you know my policy about open communication because of everything that’s happened to us.”

  “Are you sure something isn’t bothering you?”

  How twisted. The universe gave me an opportunity for an honesty, yet I couldn’t tell Archie the truth. My reasoning wasn’t even because of Archie being disappointed in me—he couldn’t complicate a situation that he didn’t know anything about.

  “I’m fine,” I said.

  He rubbed my hand. “Good. Anyway, I can’t wait for dessert.”

  “Me too.”

  The doorbell rang, and I practically jumped out of my chair.

  “Are you expecting company?” I asked.

  “No.”

  The doorbell beeped several more times.

  “I should see who it is.” Archie grabbed a napkin and wiped his lip before rising. He pushed in his chair, then darted out of the dining room.

  Deep breaths. No reason to suspect anything was wrong. Something as simple as a package delivery could be the reason for the visitor. It wasn’t like Mallory or Gemma would interrupt our date. They had to have better plans—even if that just involved staying home and watching Netflix.

  I continued tapping my feet against the wooden floor before standing. Time to check on why Archie was taking so long.

  “What’s going on?” I demanded after approaching Archie.

  Someone giggled, and I shifted my attention. Archie’s sister, Andrea, stood by the front door with a suitcase.

  “Nice to see you, handsome,” Andrea said.

  I gave her a skeptical look. “Why are you here?”

  “It’s simple—I got kicked out boarding school,” Andrea said.

  Great. As if life wasn’t complicated enough working with Gemma or wondering if the police could link Archie, Rebecca, Dan, and I to Tommy’s death. I also had to deal with Andrea, because she would’ve won the award for Sex Crazed Younger Sister—I hadn’t forgotten about Christmas Eve and wouldn’t. Not if I wanted to protect my relationship with Archie. Any threat to my relationship—whether it was Mallory or someone else—wouldn’t be tolerated. Not when I worked so hard to be with Archie.

  FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2019

  Gemma and I approached Sami in the school hallway on the way to lunch.

  “Do you have a second?” I asked.

  She nodded. “Sure. But only a moment—I’ve got a tutoring appointment.”

  “We’ve just been thinking about Jordan a lot in light of Tommy dying,” Gemma said.

  “I can understand.” Sami paused for a second. “What did you wanna ask me?”

  “Did you find his death suspicious?” I asked.

  Sami tickled her chin with her right index finger. “Drowning was a random way to go considering how he was athletic. But the police couldn’t prove someone intentionally drowned him.”

  “If only,” I mumbled.

  Sami stole a quick glance at her watch. “I’d love to chat more. Something has never felt right about Jordon’s death, but I’ve gotta go.”

  “No problem—thanks for helping us,” I said.

  Sami was soon out of sight, leaving Gemma and me alone.

  “Satisfied?” Gemma asked.

  “Yes. Anyway, I’ll talk to Kelly by Monday.”

  “You better—otherwise Mallory will be the least of your problems.”

  Gemma could save her breath—I had ev
ery intention of chatting with Kelly. Gemma’s anger was one problem I didn’t need. The sooner we planted the stuff on Mallory, the sooner we could move on with our lives. Quick closure was the least I deserved, because Mallory had already occupied enough of my thoughts.

  MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019

  I knocked on Kelly’s office door during one of my free periods, then locked it.

  “We need to chat,” I said.

  She looked up from her computer screen. “I’ve got nothing to say to you after what you made me agree to.”

  “Too bad—we’re gonna talk whether you want to or not.” I shuffled towards the chair in front of Kelly’s desk, then sat in it.

  “Yes, please join me. It’s not like I’ve gotta prep for my next class.”

  “I want something from you.”

  “Besides my time?”

  I shot her a menacing glare. “I’m serious, Kelly. I want Mallory’s locker combination.”

  “Not gonna happen.”

  “You don’t wanna argue with me.”

  “Why? Because you know something about me?” She drew in a breath. “Please. You would’ve gone to the police if you wanted to take me down.”

  “I could if I wanted, but I won’t.”

  “Why do you need Mallory’s locker combination?” Kelly asked.

  I placed my elbows on her desk. “That’s how I’m gonna frame Mallory. And no offense, but you aren’t bright for someone with a master’s degree.”

  Kelly rolled up her sleeves. “Don’t insult me.”

  Kelly needed to relax—it wasn’t like I asked her for both kidneys or a million dollars. She just needed to do this one simple thing for me—something that would benefit both of us despite her refusal to admit so.

  “You’re right. I’m sorry,” I said.

  “You still haven’t gotten given me a compelling reason to help you.”

  I sneered. “I know about the inheritance—the one your parents left to Mallory and not you.”

  “What does that have to do with anything?” she asked.

  “Mallory told me about the morality clause—like if she got arrested. The money would revert back to you since you’re her only living family.”

  Kelly cackled. “You really think I’d betray my own sister for money? I’ve got a stable job, and I’ll be fine.”

  Poor Kelly. The sadness radiating from her eyes revealed something her menacing tone didn’t, and I’d use that to my advantage. I only needed a quick survey of pop culture to appreciate how sibling rivalry left deeply engrained scars in some people—scars people pretended didn’t exist in hopes of seeming honorable.

  “Never hurts to have more money,” I said.

  “You’re despicable.”

  “You haven’t said no, so that reveals more about you than me.”

  She pouted. “Do you understand what you’re asking?”

  Damn Kelly. She had to make this situation more difficult, because I would’ve loved it if she gave me Mallory’s locker combination already. She might not have realized my tenacity, but I wouldn’t leave her office until I got access to Mallory’s locker.

  I rolled my eyes. “Mallory could’ve killed Parker and Jordon. I chatted with Sami, and she wasn’t convinced Jordon’s death was an accident.”

  She leaned forward. “I’m not helping you, so leave.”

  She could channel bravado if she wanted to, but I wouldn’t budge. I had a mission and wouldn’t stop till it was completed. And Kelly couldn’t forget about one important fact—being a writer meant understanding people more than the average person, so I could push all the right triggers. Like psychological warfare as opposed to waterboarding.

  “Come on,” I said. “You must be pissed your parents left everything to Mallory and not you, and now is your chance to correct your mistake.”

  “Fine, you’re right. Mallory inheriting all that money sucked, and I’d be lying if I said I still didn’t think about the issue.”

  “This problem has a simple solution.”

  Kelly shook her head. “I give up—you win, and you can have Mallory’s locker combination. But I’m not gonna bail you out when this scheme backfires on you.”

  “Understood.”

  Kelly grabbed a blue pen and scribbled something down on a post-it. Then, she shoved it in my face. “Now get out of my office!” she exclaimed. “I can’t stand the sight of you.”

  WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2019

  I was about to close my locker door when someone clapped their hands over my eyes. Wondering who stood behind me was unnecessary. The deodorant’s fruity aroma provided the only clue I needed for guessing who was next to me.

  “Thought I’d surprise you,” Archie said.

  “Mission accomplished.”

  “How are things with Andrea?”

  “You should ask my parents that question.”

  My lips twitched. “Ouch. That can’t be easy. Although I hope you know I’m here if you need me.”

  “My mom and dad are both pissed and are pleading with the dean to get her back into school despite her failing grades.”

  “I’m sure everything will be fine.”

  “Thanks.” Archie kissed me on the lips.

  High heels clicked against the floor, growing louder with each passing moment. Archie and I soon looked up while the person’s grin expanded.

  “Can we help you with something?” Archie asked.

  “Just spreading the cheer, because it’s gonna be a fabulous day. And nothing can change that fact,” Gemma said.

  I laughed. “Careful, Gemma. You wouldn’t want to people to think you’re on happy pills.”

  “Tease me all you want, but just you see. I’ve got a feeling life is about to get interesting,” Gemma said.

  “Wishing things into existence must be nice,” Archie said.

  “I deserve the best of everything,” Gemma said.

  Someone’s screaming cut through the air, and everyone tilted their heads.

  Wow. Detective Garrison and Detective Jones hovered by Mallory’s open locker with latex gloves on. Detective Garrison held Tommy’s father’s gun and flash drive while Detective Jones had the diary open to a specific page—possibly the entry about Mallory discovering Gemma and Tommy in bed together.

  “I wonder what’s happening,” Archie said.

  “Nothing good,” I said.

  Gemma adjusted her headband. “Relax. Everything will be fine.”

  Mallory yelled even louder this time. “You can’t go through my locker.”

  “We can if the school gives us permission because of an anonymous tip indicating you’ve got a gun on school grounds,” Detective Garrison boasted.

  Detective Jones stuffed the gun, diary, and flash drive into evidence bags. After that, she and Detective Garrison each grabbed one of Mallory’s arm. They then strutted down the hallway while Mallory continued kicking and screaming.

  Mallory shifted her head towards me. “Get Kelly. I’m still a minor and can’t be questioned without a parent or guardian present.”

  “Absolutely,” I said.

  “Nobody can save you from a murder charge,” Detective Garrison said before he, Detective Jones, and Mallory disappeared down another hallway.

  “This is awful,” Archie said, whipping his head back and forth.

  Gemma and I exchanged a look.

  For a split-second, I almost smirked like Gemma. If even the smallest possibility of never having to deal with Mallory again existed, then I just became five percent happier. Any number of variables could’ve blown up the situation, yet they hadn’t, and I’d cross my fingers the situation continued unfolding in my favor.

  BEFORE

  WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2018

  Just because I didn’t know what I’d do about Archie, didn’t mean I didn’t know what I’d do about Mallory.

  So, yeah. I tapped Mallory’s shoulder before first period while she groped through her locker, getting the stuff she needed for first peri
od. Regardless of Mr. Drake’s creepiness and theory about Tommy being an “ungrateful shit,” I couldn’t help still wondering if Mallory was involved in Tommy’s disappearance. If she could hurt me over and over—someone who was supposed to be her best friend—then I didn’t wanna imagine what she would’ve done to do someone she dated.

  She tilted her head. “What do you want?”

  “We need to talk.”

  “I’m not in the mood for a lecture from you.”

  “I couldn’t care less about what you want.”

  Mallory huffed after slamming her locker. “Fine. Just say whatever you wanna say.”

  “I’m declaring war on you.”

  “Excuse me?” she asked.

  “You heard me. I’m done being the victim,” I said.

  She giggled. “You might wanna practice that a few more times, hon. At least then you’d have more confidence.”

  “I’m serious, Mallory.”

  Mallory tugged harder on her slightly frayed backpack strap. “You’re gonna have to be more specific.”

  “I wouldn’t be surprised if you had something to do with what happened to Tommy.”

  Mallory scoffed. “You sound delusional. Maybe I should talk to your mother.”

  “Nice try Mallory. It doesn’t take a genius to realize something isn’t adding up. Tommy disappeared within a couple days after your Fourth of July getaway, in addition to his trust fund being drained.”

  “Have you been chatting with Gemma again?” Mallory asked.

  “I don’t need to chat with Gemma—I’ve got a brain that works just fine.”

  “Yeah, right. There’s no way you’d come up with this crap by yourself.”

  Perhaps I wasn’t the only one who should’ve played poker. At least then Mallory would’ve bluffed better. People didn’t get worked up over simple things, and I could only speculate about what she might’ve been hiding.

  I lifted my brow. “What’s wrong? You seem awfully worried for an innocent person.”

  “I’m not concerned. I just wanna be the one messing with you, not Gemma.”

  I stepped forward. “Aren’t you listening? This isn’t about Gemma.”

  “I had nothing to do with Tommy’s disappearance.”

  She could say that once or a million times, but I wouldn’t change my theory. I had nothing to lose from believing Mallory was involved in what happened to Tommy. Doing so gave me something to focus on, because I still wasn’t ready to make my decision about forgiving Archie. Not when Mallory’s smirk during her revelation remained burned in my mind.