by LS Sygnet
“If she doesn’t, I’ll put an end to the problem myself. With my bare hands, if necessary,” youngest said. “Eugene, this will be the last time we speak until this matter is resolved. Do a good job, and I’ll find a bonus very much to your liking in the matter.”
His senses sparked to life. “Indeed. How much to my liking?”
“Very young, very trainable,” the youngest man said.
Eugene smiled. “Then I should have good news for you soon, gentlemen.” He gave a single mock salute to the youngest before addressing the middle man. “And I’ll give your love to my wife if you like.”
“Tell her I’ll be in touch very soon,” middle man said.
Chapter 40
Johnny slumped into bed beside me. I wasn’t asleep, even though it was nearly midnight again. I snuggled back against him.
“You’re awake?”
“Like I could sleep until I knew you were home safe and sound.”
Johnny sighed. “How’s Crevan?”
“Too quiet. He didn’t seem particularly upset that Madden killed Underwood.”
“Sadly, that seems to be the prevailing attitude downtown. He deserved his day in court, Doc. The guy got off too easy if you ask me.”
“I know it’s hard for you.”
“When you talked to Madden, did he say anything?”
I rolled over and peered at Johnny in the darkness. “Not a word. He wouldn’t even look at me.”
“They told me you asked to see him in a room where the conversation couldn’t be recorded.”
“We agreed that it would be off the record, Johnny. I thought if he was going to talk to me, he might open up if he knew we were in a room where recording isn’t permitted. I don’t think he even realized where we were. I’m not sure he understood a word I said to him either.”
“Well, he’s not even talking to his lawyers,” Johnny said. “It’s weird. When he shot Underwood, he never said a thing. When we pulled our weapons and told him to drop the gun, he did it. He laid down on the cement and put his hands behind his head.”
“That is odd.”
“It’s like… I don’t know, he was resigned to being arrested. The only thing he said was that he wanted a lawyer.”
“Nothing more?”
“At the time, I thought it was because he knew we had him dead to rights. Like I said, the news media was right there, caught the whole thing on tape. I’m not so sure anymore. He sure seemed to take a shine to you from day one. You’re sure he didn’t say or do anything?”
“Honestly, he acted like he was in shock.”
“I can’t figure out how he knew we even arrested Underwood, Helen. It’s got me stumped. How did he know when to show up?”
“Maybe he figured that we caught him. It was probably all over the morning news that a press conference was scheduled at the district courthouse to address the recent murders. It wasn’t like we hid the fact that Underwood was our primary suspect.”
“Shit,” Johnny muttered. “I know you’re right. I just hate it that something we might’ve inadvertently said pushed this guy into killing someone.”
“Johnny, there was no way to foresee this. I was as surprised as you were when you told me what happened.”
His arms tightened around me. “I know. It’s just hard to accept, that we went through all of this and Underwood skirts his day in court anyway. At least we’ve got Madden.”
“You realize his lawyers will argue against competency.”
“I don’t doubt it a bit. Guess I was hoping you saw something different than we did.”
“Because it would demonstrate that he’s merely acting?”
“Yeah, but I’d rather not think about it or talk right now. I’m glad it’s over. If Madden snapped, Zack will do the right thing. I guess there’s one upside to all of this.”
“What’s that? Aside from the fact that Underwood can’t hurt anyone else.”
“No trial saves the taxpayers a boatload of money.”
I slid my hands beneath Johnny’s t-shirt. “I can think of a few things that might take your mind off work for a few hours.”
“Helen,” he whispered.
“I want you.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m worried.”
“About?”
“You seem too calm about all of this – Underwood’s murder, Madden being such a blank slate. It doesn’t feel like you.”
I tugged the t-shirt up, without much resistance. In fact, Johnny helped me strip it away when it got to his shoulders.
“Don’t you see this for what it really is?” I asked. “I’m ready, Johnny. I’m ready to put all of this behind me now. It’s time for the next chapter, for our life, a future we both want.”
God help me, but this time, he bought the lie, hook, line and sinker.
If only getting out was really that easy. What had Underwood said? Crevan’s lust was unnatural. Not of the father. My problem was a whole lot worse. Everything about me was exactly of my father. I was certain that there was no escaping that truth.
It’s always the certainty that proves us wrong in the end. None of us saw the collision course looming on the horizon. Not Johnny. Not Crevan. Most of all, not me. Drifting away from law enforcement wouldn’t stop events that were destined to unfold. It was already much too late for that. Then again, not even I understood how much like Wendell I really am.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
