by Ashley Jade
Then, I channeled Jacob and gave him a look that I hoped cut him down to size.
He gave me a look laced with pain and suffering. “I'm not trying to cause any problems for you or him, princess. You guys are my family—" he started, before I cut him off.
“No. We're not. You have no family. You are here alone—rotting in a jail cell, for the rest of your miserable life. You're exactly where you should be, because you took the life of a beautiful little girl who deserved to live her life but never got the chance to—"
“You're such a fucking bitch just like your mother,” he sneered. “You even look like her,” he scoffed.
I gave him a menacing smile. “I'd rather look like an alcoholic, heroin whore—than a child rapist and murderer.”
He banged on the glass. The guard came over and issued him a warning.
I stood up. “Leave Danny alone. He is my brother, he is nothing to you. Stay out of his life. I'm warning you.”
“Please, Leah. Just hear me out for a second.”
The ache in his voice caused me to pause, but I made no effort to turn around.
“I'm innocent. That's why I was reaching out to Danny. I knew you would never believe me. But I swear to God, I'm an innocent man," he pleaded. “I wasn’t the one who raped and murdered her, Leah.”
That’s when I turned around. “I saw you with my own eyes. I know what you did!”
“It wasn't me, princess. It's not what you think. There's a lot more to the story.”
He swallowed hard. “I was set up, I'm telling you the truth. Do you remember where I worked as a janitor?" he asked before the guard announced that he had three minutes left to our visit.
I shrugged because I didn't really remember. He didn't exactly take me to bring your daughter to work day or anything.
He sat up in his chair. “The CEO set me up. He's dead now, but that's not why I'm telling you this. He has a son. A son that wants revenge, Leah. A son that's going to come after you and Danny. He's dangerous. You have to get me out of here so I can help you.” He lowered his voice. “I have contacts on the outside. They can help. I also have a lawyer, and he needs you to retract your statement.” He put his hand up to the glass.“Leah, please," he pleaded with tears in his eyes as the guard motioned for him to get up.
“I will never retract my statement—ever!”
The guard began dragging him out of the room. “Listen, the company that I worked for, the name is Sand Corp. His son's name is Jacob. Please help me, princess."
***
Adrenaline shot through me during the entire bus ride home. I was wishing that I had just taken my car because I couldn't get home fast enough.
Fucking asshole.
I knew Jacob was too good to be true. It all makes sense now.
Question was, now that I knew everything—what was I prepared to do about it?
By the time the bus pulled into the station it was 11:00pm. I drove home as fast as I could.
I immediately checked on Danny. He was safe and sound asleep, thank goodness.
I left him a note and told him not to worry, that I just needed to take care of something.
Then, I grabbed my Swiss army knife from the kitchen draw—just in case I needed it to defend myself—or intimidate.
I quickly changed into a sweatshirt and sweatpants and jogged in the pouring rain over to Jacob's house. I decided not to drive because I was planning on ambushing him and I didn’t need security personal flagging my car down or giving him a heads up.
Besides, I needed the air. I needed to run. I feared what I would do to him if I didn't.
I was prepared to fight him to the death if need be.
There's no way my father would know about Jacob or his company if it wasn't all true.
But that all failed in comparison to how I felt about Jacob purposely seeking out and befriending Danny.
Involving my little brother in a dangerous plan for payback?
That's where I draw the fucking line.
Jacob played me and I fell for it hook, line, and sinker. The fucking nerve of him.
I ran the 2 short miles with ease in the pouring rain. Ignoring that my clothes and hair were now thoroughly soaked and dripping wet. If anything, it only made me appear even more disturbed and sinister looking. Good.
I checked the time. 11:38pm. Perfect.
I knocked on the front door. A sleepy Lillian answered after the third knock, looking understandably concerned.
I pushed right past her, made my way up to Jacob's office, and walked right in.
His chair was turned around and he appeared to be on the phone. I silently crept my way toward the back of his chair as he continued to talk on the phone.
I took out my swiss army knife and put it to his jugular. “You fucking asshole.”
He swiftly pressed a button and disconnected his phone call.
He then reached for my wrist, in an attempt to get me to drop the knife. But I wasn't letting up. We struggled for a few moments, before he flipped me right over his head.
Dammit.
“Hello, Dr. Adams,” he said as we both fell down to the floor and he pinned one of my wrists above my head.
I kicked my legs, trying to knee him in the groin. He deflected it and I missed. Shit.
Out of my peripheral vision, I saw a pair of fuzzy pink slippers. “Oh! Mr. Sand!” Lillian’s voice cried out. “Do you want me to call the police?”
“No. It's alright, Lillian, just go back to bed,” he barked, as we struggled against each other some more.
“Sir! Are you sure?” Lillian shouted.
Jacob turned his head briefly to look at Lillian. “Yes. Go to bed,” he ground out.
I used the brief distraction to land a punch directly to his jaw. He didn't even look phased, if anything, he looked pissed.
He knocked the knife out of my hand, grabbed both my wrists this time and pinned me to the floor.
Since his entire body was on top of mine, I couldn't move. Fuck.
“Well, I guess it's true. The freaks really do come out at night," he taunted.
I used the rest of my body's adrenaline and continued to try and fight against him. He outweighed me by at least 80lbs of solid muscle, though, so it was no use.
I decided to use a different tactic.
I faked some tears, hoping it would soften him up enough to move and I would have the upper hand again.
His face changed from pissed to alarmed. “What’s going on? Talk to me,” he grumbled as I pretended to sob.
He quickly released his grip and that's when I landed another blow to his jaw, much harder this time.
“What the fuck, Leah!” he roared.
I ignored him and reached for my knife, putting the blade up again.
He stood up and I matched his movements, except I pointed my knife at him, warning him to stay back.
He looked both confused and enraged. “Figures, we haven't even had our second date yet and you go full blown psycho on me. A fucking psychiatrist no less."
I narrowed my eyes. “Save it. The jig is up, asshole.”
He gave me an odd look and took a step forward. “How was your conference, dear?”
“Back the fuck up, now.”
“Listen, I don't want to hurt you,” he said calmly. He took another step forward. “But I really need you to put the knife down.“
“I said, back the fuck up, now,” I repeated, my voice steady and serious.
He finally took a step back.
“The fucking nerve of you,” I screamed. “You set my father up for murdering and raping my best friend. Then, you have the audacity to try and get payback via my brother and I—after you already set him up in the first place. How could you, Jacob? Faking a relationship with me—trying to get close to Danny?” I was so angry I started shaking. “Fucking me and making me think that you were actually a good guy, when you’re nothing but a psychopath.”
He sighed. “Says the woman currently holding a knif
e that’s pointed at me—a Swiss army knife no less.”
“So it's true then?”
“Yes and no. Let me explain.” He gestured toward the knife. “But first, you're going to need to drop the goddamned knife."
“Not a fucking chance. Start talking. Now.”
He leaned against the desk and folded his arms. His demeanor was scarily calm. “Where would you like me to start?"
“How about the beginning.”
“Your father didn't rape and murder Jamie. My father raped and murdered Jamie.”
Chapter 13
“What?” I asked, my voice shaking.
I felt so lightheaded and dizzy, I had to lean up against the wall, to gather my composure.
Hearing the words from someone other than my father, made me want to puke. The reality of the situation was crashing down on me, hard.
I can't believe I helped send my father to prison for a murder that he didn't commit.
“Leah, breathe. Please.” He took another step forward. “I can't tell you everything if you pass out on me. Do you want some water?”
“The only thing I want from you is the truth. Not that I can believe another word out of your mouth right now, but seeing as my innocent father is in jail for a murder he didn't commit. You're my best option."
He looked hurt by my words, but I shrugged it off. He was nothing but a user and a manipulator.
“I didn't know about it myself until 6 months ago. When my father died, he confessed everything on his deathbed to me. What I'm going to tell you is going to be difficult to hear, Leah—but I really need you to listen.” His gaze swung to my hand. “I would also appreciate if you dropped the knife. I swear, on my own life, I won't hurt you."
His statement made me laugh out loud. “Yeah, good one.” I threw the knife on the floor. “Too late for that,” I said bitterly.
He gave me a look of annoyance before he continued, “Okay. Fair enough. However, it was never, ever my intention to hurt you."
“Yeah—okay,” I scoffed.
“Do you want me to tell you everything or not?”
I nodded and stayed silent.
“My father was a horrible man. I didn't know how horrible until he died. He used to rape girls. Girls like Jamie—" He paused looking like he was going to be sick. I was right there with him now, hearing his statement.
“However, he had help,” he said while looking at me. “He used to pay a lot of money to a certain janitor. I think you know where I'm going with this."
“Are you saying that my father used to participate?” I asked incredulously. “He used to beat me when he was drunk— but he never touched me like that."
“No, he didn't participate. He supplied them, for years and years.”
Bile worked it’s way up my throat. “I think I'm gonna be sick.”
Jacob ran a hand through his hair and looked up to the ceiling. “You have to keep it together—because it only gets worse."
Worse? Jesus, what could possibly be worse than this? I took a deep breath and motioned for him to keep going.
“They had a business deal. Your father would supply the girls between the ages of 10 and 14, and my father would pay him a lot of money for it,” he said. “They must have had it going for about 5 years or so, at least. It helped support your parent's addiction and it supported my father's disgusting one."
That’s when I realized. “My mother must have known about it. That's why she never called the police like I asked her to that night. I just thought she was hung over, but she was in on it.” My hand flew up to my mouth. “Oh my god, Jacob."
He moved over to me then, but I put a hand up halting him.
“It gets worse, but I'm not sure that you can handle it, Leah—” He closed his eyes. “I truly, don't think you'll be able to handle it. And honestly, I can't blame you for it. You're probably better off not knowing in the first place.."
“I need to know, Jacob. Please, tell me.”
I had a right to know, no matter how terrible it would be.
“Your father took Jamie for my father. Obviously, my father took it a step further with her and he murdered her. However, he murdered her for a particular purpose."
“Why? I mean, doing what he was doing was horrible enough. Why did he murder her? She was innocent. She was a sweet girl, she would never hurt a fly. She was the best friend anyone could ever hope to have. I don't understand," I said, my voice cracking.
Jacob closed his eyes, took a deep breath and swallowed hard. I knew that whatever he was about to tell me was going to be the hardest thing I was ever going to hear. My stomach dropped, but I willed myself to keep it together.
“He murdered Jamie on purpose, to set up your father.”
“Why?”
“I really don't want to tell you. Please don't make me,” he said softly.
“I have a fucking right to know!”
“My father wanted you.”
I didn’t understand what he was saying. Was my father trying to protect me and Jamie got caught in the crossfire somehow? Was it a choice between Jamie and me and he brought her to him instead of his own daughter?
None of what Jacob was saying made any sense, except for the obvious.
“My father was trying to protect me—I guess. Your father must have murdered Jamie as payback or something because my father wouldn't let him have me, right? That’s what happened, right?” I put my head in my hands. “So, it really is all my fault."
“None of this is your fault, Leah. None of this!” he shouted. “Please, stop thinking that way. You are not responsible for any of this shit!"
“Tell me the rest.”
“I really don't want to,” he protested.
“Tell me!”
He looked disgusted. “Your father wasn't trying to protect you, Leah. He was trying to extort and use you for more money.”
The room whirled around me with those words and I sunk against the wall. “Let me get this straight. Your father wanted me— but my father didn't agree with the price for me. So—my father tried to extort him for more money, all while fully knowing your father would do that to me.” I drew in a shaky breath. “However, your father ended up doing that, in addition to killing Jamie— in order to set up my father, to get back at him. But when it really comes down to it, he murdered my very best friend—all because of me. Is that what you’re telling me, Jacob?"
My vision got blurry and I exhaled sharply.
“Leah, I'm so sorry,” he whispered, kneeling down next to me on the floor.
“My father had no idea that it was all retaliation—until after Jamie was already dead and I turned him in.”
His gaze turned hard. “Yeah, but he's a horrible person. He deserves to rot in jail. Do you know how many victims there were? Tons."
“I know, Jacob. You're right, he does. And that's where he will stay.” I looked at him. “Now, how do you fit into this? My father, not that I can believe him at this point—but he said that you were trying to get payback and you were going to use Danny and me to do it. What was he talking about?"
“He told you that?” Jacob screamed.
“Yes. That's what he told me today when I went to visit him. I confronted him about writing to Danny. I didn't like it. He was trying to weasel his way into Danny's life. Danny was starting to cave until I intervened and began stealing the letters he was writing to Danny before he ever got his hands on them. I made Danny think that he was cutting off contact.”
He scrubbed a hand down his face. “That was a smart move, Leah, believe me. You know how I told you it gets worse? Well, here's how—your father started trying to extort me from a prison cell after my father died. At first, I just blew it off, until my own guilt got in the way. My father told me everything on his deathbed.”
He sighed. “And I mean everything, Leah, including the fact that he murdered Jamie all because he wanted the janitor's daughter, so on and so forth. Your father contacted me after his death. He told me that he was i
nnocent and that he wanted justice. Had my father not told me the part that your father played in all this, I might have actually helped him.”
He appeared to be lost in thought as he continued, “I couldn't help him. Not after knowing the truth. He kept telling me that he was going to make you believe him and that you were going to retract your statement—he also said that he was going to use his son to do it. He told me that Danny was the one person in the world who could make you believe him. I didn’t want that to happen, so, I had to do some research and find a way I could contact you. I knew he was never going to be set free, but I still wanted to meet you anyway. It was the least I could do—”
I jabbed a finger in his chest. “So you pretended to be a patient of mine! Then, you pretended to have feelings for me. Then—you kept offering me lots of money, and you even paid off my student loans, all out of pity—and to make sure I never helped my father. It was hush money.”
I balled my fists at my side when the next thought hit me. “I'm such an idiot. It never made any sense why someone like you would be interested in me in the first place.” I got up off the floor. “I never understood why someone like you would ever want me, period. It makes perfect sense now though. I was a fucking charity case.”
He stood up. “Leah, no. You're not a charity case.” He brushed his hand along my cheek but I swatted his hand away.
I headed for the door. “Don't touch me.” My anger was coming to a peak. “I'm so fucking stupid,” I bit out. “Sorry, you had to go slumming it when you fucked me the other night.” I laughed. “Don't worry—you won't have to stoop so low ever again. And I have no intentions of helping my father, so mission accomplished on that one, too.”
I stormed out of his office. “Have a nice life.”
I heard Jacob’s footsteps behind me. “Leah, stop. You have this all wrong. You don't know what the fuck you're talking about.”
I ignored him and continued running. I made it all the way to the front door when Jacob suddenly picked me up.
