Libra Rising

by Stacy M Wray

  Since she needs to get ready for class, I get some much-needed sleep, then slip into my office at the foundation to get some work done. But I can’t concentrate, worrying about Jacob. It’s not long before I find myself sitting outside his school, watching him play a game of kickball with his classmates. He looks happy. Unscathed. His normal, happy self.

  And that’s the way he needs to stay.

  My phone ringing pulls my attention away from Jacob. I don’t recognize the number, but answer it, anyway.

  “Yeah?”

  “Mr. Faulkner? This is Detective Shutt. We need you back down at the station to answer a few more questions.”

  Unease stabs me in the gut. “Can’t you just ask me over the phone?”

  “It’s best if you come to the station.”

  Fuck.

  “Yeah, okay.” I end the call.

  Acid roils in my stomach, the discord of the night before slamming into me.

  What do they know?

  Maybe, lying to the cops wasn’t the best idea, after all. My mind drifts to Harper. I wonder if I should let her know. I don’t hesitate as I dial her phone.

  “Hey. What’s up?” She sounds out of breath.

  “Just wanted to let you know that they want me back down at the station to answer a few more questions.”

  She’s quiet for a minute before she answers. “That doesn’t sound good, Reed. They’ve got something.”

  Her words only confirm what I know to be true in my gut. “We don’t know that, Harper. I don’t want you to worry.”

  “I’m past that. You might want to get your lawyer involved, Reed. And I’m coming with you.”

  The last thing I want to do is show up with a lawyer – that will only signal I have something to hide. “Not yet. Let’s just see what they’ve got. And what about your classes?”

  Sirens blare by my car, making it impossible to hear what Harper had to say, the intrusion feeling ironic. “I didn’t catch what you said.”

  She replies, “I said I only have one more class today. This is more important. Come pick me up at campus – I’ll be standing in front of the library.”

  I’m surprised at the amount of relief that sweeps over me. I need her with me.

  And, for the first time since all of this went down, I’m a little nervous. Okay – extremely nervous.

  On the drive over to get Harper, I can’t help but rack my brain, trying to figure out what they need me for. I’m sure they put me through the system and saw that I have a conviction. Is that what this is about? If that’s what it is, then I can deal with that. I was eighteen – still a kid. One has nothing to do with the other. Will they see it that way?

  Sure enough, my girl is exactly where she said she’d be, bundled in a puffy jacket, bouncing on her toes. She hightails it to the car when she sees me.

  Flinging the door open, she plops into the passenger seat, looking a little worried. Hooking my hand around the back of her neck, I guide her face to mine, kissing her until I feel her body begin to relax. We’re both a little breathless when our lips separate.

  She smiles. “What was that for?”

  I wink at her with false confidence to keep things light, not wanting her to pick up on the heaviness in the pit of my stomach. “I appreciate you being here.”

  She grabs my hand and squeezes it. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

  We drive to the station in silence. I’m betting her mind is doing the same thing mine is – wondering what they have. What it means. Should we be worried? Should I get that lawyer?

  After parking, I grab her hand and we walk into the station. After checking in, we take a seat and wait. There’s so much fucking waiting in this place, and it toys with my psyche. Do they do this on purpose?

  “Mr. Faulkner?” My head whips up to the face of Detective Shutt. Harper and I both stand. Slurping on a cup of coffee in a cheap white Styrofoam cup, he shifts his gaze at her and says, “You can have a seat. We won’t be too long.”

  Harper sends me a worried glance and sits back down. I follow Shutt down the hallway into a sparse room; just like I was in the night before – one table, two chairs.

  We both sit as he flings a manila file on the cold surface of the table, nearly knocking over his coffee he placed beside it. Flipping it open, he says, “You’ve got a record.” Not a question because he already has the answer.

  My past coming back to haunt doesn’t bode well. All kinds of disgusting feelings and memories swirl through my mind. I fight the anger that comes with it. This douche knows what he’s doing and likes to toy with people. I get it. It’s his job. I just don’t fucking like him toying with me.

  When I don’t say anything, he stares at me for a good while. Finally, I say, “That’s what you brought me in here for? To talk about something that happened when I was a kid?”

  He taps his fingers on the file. “You were eighteen. Tried as an adult. No kid.”

  I glare at him. We both know this isn’t about me being arrested for assault. “Say what it is you have to say, Detective.”

  “As is usual protocol in a murder investigation, we’ve been busy questioning everyone who knew Mr. Rutker, including the people who work for him.” He smirks.

  Fuck. I had been so absorbed with worrying about Jacob that I forgot about our small audience at his office. Shutt has me by the balls.

  “I didn’t kill him. Check the knife for my fingerprints – you won’t find them. It wasn’t me.” The more I say, the guiltier I sound.

  His brows rise as he stares me down. “You and I both know we’re not likely to find prints on a weapon in a premeditated murder, Mr. Faulkner. Sure, there’s a lot of stupid criminals out there, but not in this case.”

  My stomach churns with acid, hardly believing this is happening. Just when my life is going in the right direction. I’ve done nothing but try and turn my life around. Was it all for nothing? Is life trying to play some big fucking joke on me?

  Since I’ve been backed into a corner, I say the words I didn’t want to in the first place. “I want my lawyer.”

  He slams the folder shut and stands. “Figured you would.”

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Harper

  March 17-23, 2018

  Aries Horoscope: Expect battles and challenges in your relationships this week but know that most issues can be worked out. Unexpected drama may arise, and you need to deal with it swiftly. It’s time to discard or get rid of what you don’t need in your life, including unhealthy habits of people around you. Tread lightly on the 20th, or there will be trouble in your romantic relationship. Finances look good, as long as you don’t give in to sudden impulses.

  I’m barely holding my head above water with my classes and Reed’s legal battles.

  It’s not looking good, and he still won’t confess to what he really saw.

  And we fight all the time.

  He can’t sleep. He barely eats. It’s as if he’s just waiting for them to arrest him – which they could do any day now. If nothing else, they’ve got him for obstruction of justice, and I’m shocked that they didn’t pursue it.

  I know I said I was behind him, but I can’t let him go to jail for something he didn’t do. I know he thinks he’s doing the right thing by Jacob but, dammit, I’m not losing him after just getting him back into my life. I’ve only had months with him, and I’m not letting this happen.

  He says he’ll confess if they arrest him for the murder of Jim Rutker. But will that be enough? What if they can’t find evidence to the real truth? What if Miranda is a great liar and points them back to Reed?

  I just can’t take that chance. I didn’t suffer through all those years, hoping the man I loved would make his way back to me just to be taken away again.

  We talked so much about our future – a future full of dreams and realities.

  But now, our dreams are being shredded, one day at a time.

  I sit in my car, praying I’m not about to blow everything up. Kyl
ie has just opened the door to the playground. The kids run out with all their pent-up energy. Some run to the swings, others to the small diamond where they play kickball. Some hang back, too shy to join in. And then, I see Jacob, laughing and running. My heart can barely take what I’m about to do.

  I slowly open my car door and get out, taking a deep breath as I cross the street. Stopping at the gate, I wait until Kylie looks over. She smiles at me when she notices me standing there, and I motion her over.

  She has no idea what’s going on with Reed.

  “Hey, Harper. What brings you here?”

  I force a smile as best I can and let the lie fall from my lips. I’ve tried like hell to get Miranda’s address, but since she rents, I can’t locate it. So, now I’m here to swindle it out of Kylie.

  “Hey. I hope you can help me. Reed has a surprise for Jacob and asked me to drop it by his house today. Thing is, I lost the address and Reed’s stuck in meetings all day. I understand if you can’t give out his address, but thought I’d ask, anyway. Reed was just so excited about surprising him.”

  She considers what I’ve said for a minute. I know she’s not allowed to divulge such information, but I’m hoping that their friendship will negate the seriousness of breaking such a rule. I can tell when she’s made up her mind. “Just wait here, and I’ll go get it.”

  She brings her assistant out to keep an eye on the kids while she disappears inside. My nerves eat at me while I wait for her. There’s just no other way, I tell myself.

  Within minutes, she’s handing me a small slip of paper with Jacob’s address. I try not to act like it’s a huge deal when I thank her and walk back to my car.

  I follow the directions from my phone to Holden Street. My stomach drops as I witness the lower socioeconomic housing that leads me to Jacob’s life. The houses, which look more like shacks, are barely standing. A good gust of wind could take them out. Broken windows are replaced by slats of board, haphazardly hammered into place. Most are the same shade of natural wood, since most of the paint has worn away from weather, without means for upkeep.

  It simply breaks my heart.

  I pull up in front of Jacob’s house. I’m thankful when I notice a car in the small, gravelly spot off to the side of the house.

  Climbing out, I walk up the broken cement steps to the dingy door. I tap the back of my knuckles on the cold surface.

  The woman who answers the door breaks my heart even more, even though she murdered someone and is unknowingly letting the man I love take the fall. Her cheeks cave in where most people are full, and her sallow skin has lost all elasticity. She’s so thin that I wonder how she has the energy to stand. Eyes as empty as Satan’s heart stare back at me.

  “Miranda? My name is Harper James, and I was wondering if I could talk to you about Jacob?”

  Her eyes jump to life, alarm clouding them. “Who sent you?”

  Confused, I step back a little, sensing that she feels threatened. “Nobody. I came of my own accord.”

  “Is Jacob alright?”

  “Yes. He’s fine. I just saw him.”

  Her shoulders slump in relief. She eyes me up and down, wondering if she can trust me. Finally, she holds the door open a few inches and allows me entrance.

  As I step inside, I’m relieved to find that the interior of the house doesn’t match the outside. It’s decorated as any home would be; warm and lived in. Light carpet covers the floor, a worn path evident of much use. Several small table lamps sit around the main living area, almost as if she collects them, their shades in eclectic hues. A small collection of books sits in the corner, stacked on a tall, yet slender, case.

  It represents a home. And I’m here to tear it apart.

  She leads us to a thread-bare couch, both cushions sinking in from years of use, and we both sit. Slanting my body to hers, I say, “I’ve come on Reed Faulkner’s behalf.”

  Recognition jumps in her eyes, as she says, “I know that name. Jacob talks about a Reed all the time.” She pulls an elastic band from her wrist, wrapping her dirty blonde hair in a twist.

  Smiling, I say, “Yeah. They share a special bond. Reed knows him from Wyatt.” And I leave it at that.

  “What’s going on?” She seems very suspicious of me, and I figure I better get to the point.

  “Miranda…I’m not exactly sure how to say this, but please hear me out.” She fidgets beside me and simply nods once. “There was a murder outside of the Regal bar a couple of weeks ago.” She immediately stiffens, but I continue talking. “And Reed is being blamed for it.”

  “I…I don’t understand what that has to do with me.” Her fingers twist in her lap as she waits for me to answer.

  “It has everything to do with you. Reed followed you to the bar that night, and he knows you are responsible for Jim Rutker’s death. He saw everything.” Okay, not really, but I need her to believe there’s no way out of this.

  She stands immediately. “How dare you come into my house and accuse me of something so horrible. I need you to leave.”

  Calmly standing myself, I say, “I’m not going anywhere until you clear Reed’s name. I will not let him take the fall for you or Jacob.”

  She’s trembling now, and I almost feel sorry for her. “Miranda…I know how you’ve been blackmailing men for money. I know how much you love your son. I don’t know what happened to make you kill that man, but I’m sure it had to do with protecting Jacob.”

  She doubles over and falls to the floor, weeping with her head in her hands. I kneel down beside her and say into her ear, “Please, tell me what happened. Help me understand.”

  “He threatened to turn me into CPS…I had to protect Jacob…I’m all he has…” Her broken explanations blurt out between her sobs.

  Finally, after a few minutes, she collects herself and leans against the chair. As we both sit on the floor, she takes a deep breath. “I’ve no education, no means of any kind. I met Jacob’s dad at that bar. All kinds of wealthy men hang out there. They get their kicks out of fucking girls like me. Always need to keep up their image, you know? They like loose women – women who don’t have hang-ups when it comes to sex, not like their uppity wives. Guess I fall into that category – it’s the one thing I was always great at.” She huffs a laugh. “Anyway, his dad threw money at me to keep quiet. Enough that I could send Jacob to that fancy school. I didn’t want him to have the same kind of life as me. But, somehow, his wife found out and he cut us off – moved away.” She looks into my eyes and says, “But he must still pay for his school, because somehow, it gets paid every month.”

  I take her hand in mine and squeeze. “Reed pays for his school, Miranda. He saw Jacob’s potential, just like you did.”

  A tear slips from her eye, and Miranda wipes it quickly, whispering, “Oh my God.”

  I simply nod.

  We sit in silence for several minutes. The reticence hovering between us is almost palpable.

  “I met Jim there. His fantasy was breaking into houses and raping single moms.” She shakes her head in disgust. “I know…I know. He was a filthy pig. But that’s what we acted out. Only, my recording device was on the fritz, and I didn’t get the footage I needed. Before I could get him back here, he ended things. So, I tried it the old-fashioned way and threatened that if he didn’t pay up, I would make sure his wife found out. He was furious and told me that he was going to the authorities, that he would turn me in to CPS and have Jacob taken from me. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he wasn’t merely threatening. All the other men always caved when I brought up the wives. Not Jim. He was going to fight me all the way.

  “That’s when I knew I had to do something. No one would take my word over a successful businessman like him. Jacob is my world. I was saving all that money for him, his future. I didn’t spend any of it, if I could help it.”

  “Tell me about that night, Miranda. Reed told me he would watch your house. I know it sounds kind of creepy, but he was always so worried about Jacob. He j
ust liked knowing he was watched over. But Reed saw you leave that night in a disguise, and he followed you.”

  She shakes her head. “I never knew anyone followed me.” Her eyes shut tight, perhaps recalling the events of that night. “I have a friend who is a master at stage make-up and whatnot. I told her I needed to learn how to do it because Jacob’s school was putting on a play, and I wanted to help with costumes. It wasn’t hard to transform myself. It was actually kind of fun.” She laughs uncomfortably. “That sonofabitch had no idea it was me. Since I also knew one of his fantasies was to drag a stranger into an alley and fuck her up against the building, I started a conversation and moved it in that direction. He had me outside in no time through a side exit, and that’s when I stabbed him in the jugular. Quick. Easy.”

  It’s as if she’s in a trance, telling me how it went down. My skin crawls that someone could do that so easily. But, I guess people do desperate things when backed into a corner.

  “Reed was going into the bar when he heard Jim cry out. He saw you, Miranda. He had a passerby call the police.”

  She turns to me and studies me for a minute, trying to understand everything. “Then, he should be fine. Just an innocent bystander. Why do the police think he did it?”

  I take a deep breath. “Reed found the bruises on Jacob’s arms that apparently came from Jim.”

  Miranda’s guilt is evident as she hangs her head. “Jacob never wakes up during the night – he’s a really heavy sleeper. But I guess, that night, we got a little carried away with the rape fantasy and were kind of loud. I heard Jacob call out and Jim said he’d take care of him. I let him because I needed to check on the camera. I had no idea he hurt him.”

  “Well, through Reed’s connections, he found out who Jim was and paid a visit to him at his office. Miranda, he threatened him in front of Jim’s employees. Witnesses. Now, you see why the police are going after Reed? Please, you need to make this right.”

  She’s a blank canvas. No emotion. She bows her head, staring at her thin, bony fingers. “I can’t,” she whispers, “Jacob needs me. He needs a mother.”