by Jack Parker
"So, why try and get me to say Luci did it?" I wondered aloud and picked up the plastic fork.
"I saw how scared you were when I locked you in that cell last night, Lauren. I figured if you knew anything, you would hint at it to get out of there, but you don't. And that's the end of it."
I ate in silence, not with as much gusto as before, but I loved Barb's food too much to let it waste. Derrick would not be telling me all of this information about the case if he believed they had even a small chance at convicting someone. I was in the clear. Luci may be questioned, but like he said, they wouldn't be able to make anything stick. We'll let it run its course, and in a few weeks, it will all be over and closed.
The door at the end of the hall creaked open, and I heard the unmistakable click of Luci's stilettos. I could have shouted with joy when she rounded the corner, but then I realized that Det. Green cuffed her hands behind her back. She must have worn a blazer that day because Katherine carried one over her arm even though she wore her own. Luci's scarred arms had been exposed to everyone, and I bristled.
"What the hell?" I stood and started for the trio. Green hesitated, and the group stopped. I jerked the blazer out of Katherine's hands and draped it over Luci's shoulders, awkwardly covering her arms.
"You better hope like hell this is over with quickly, Detective Green. Do all bald men act like such assholes or just the detectives?" I spat. His eyes widened in surprise, and Katherine glanced nervously between the two of us. Luci just looked at the floor in silence.
I stepped between her and Detective Green and removed his lingering fingers from her arm. I wrapped an arm around her waist, and she leaned into my touch. Sheriff Armentrout said nothing and sipped his coffee. I held my hand out to him, and he dropped the keys to the handcuffs into it. Detective Green sputtered behind me, but I ignored him as I led Luci to the cell. I walked inside and shut the door, much to everyone's surprise, even my own.
"Here Luci." I unlocked the handcuffs and turned to Detective Green. His face had turned purple again, and his mouth worked up and down like a fish out of water. "You need to learn some fucking humanity." I stuck my arm between the bars and chucked the handcuffs and keys at him. He flinched, and they bounced off his upper arm.
"Sheriff, you need to gain control of your station house." Detective Green put his hands on his hips and stared at Derrick who took another sip of coffee.
"You violated Ms. Pravitas' rights, Detective Green. As far as I am concerned, you owe her and Miss Danes and apology. On top of that, I think it's time for this investigation to come to an end."
"I don't think so, Sheriff. Ms. Pravitas has no alibi in her original statement. She had means, motive, and opportunity. She has obviously been abused herself, look at her arms. When she saw what Mr. Danes did to his daughter, she snapped." He spoke enthusiastically with sweeping arm gestures.
"Berta." Luci cleared her throat and finally looked up from the floor. She sounded lost, a voice I'd never heard before from her lips.
"What's that, Luci?" Katherine stepped up to the bars tentatively. Luci cleared her throat again, some of her usual confidence returning.
"Let me call Berta." She slipped her arms into the blazer sleeves and held her head up high. "You are concerned with the several unaccounted for hours when Lauren was not with me, am I correct?" Green nodded.
"Berta and I were doing inventory with Cal. He was in the city on his cell phone with us at the time. Berta submitted an order form to the hardware store and also to our food supplier online during those hours. I was with her nearly the entire time, which was just before dinner after Lauren had been dismissed for the afternoon. After Berta and I completed our work, I called an investor with my company. I was on the phone nearly three hours with him because he was considering leaving my company to support more local businesses. He considers himself to be a bit of a Good Samaritan and donates anonymously to struggling companies. I convinced him to keep half of his money with me and invest the other half into one of the sawmills in Carver. Feel free to check my telephone records and with Berta. She supplied me with fresh tea several times as well as dinner in my office during our phone conversation. If it is required, I would be more than happy to give my investor's phone number, but as I said, he is a very private person and prefers anonymity. I suggest you speak with Mr. Bennett at the mill and inquire about any anonymous donations or investments that have been made recently."
"I'll do that, Ms. Pravitas," Derrick said and slapped his hand on Det. Green's back. "We'll be back in a little while." And then they were gone. Katherine peeked around the corner to make sure both men had left in order to preserve confidentiality.
"Luci, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to drag you into my mess." I touched her shoulder, but she shied away from my hand.
"It's quite all right, Darling. We shall prevail." Katherine nodded and leaned against the bars. "Quite a morning, eh, Katie." The lawyer smirked and leaned her head to one side.
"It always is with you, Dear Heart." The affection in her voice and eyes was not lost to me. Luci had collected more mother figures than I had over the years.
"Luci, Ashley found a newspaper article about you from 1989." I studied her face closely, but Katherine reacted more visibly.
"That poor girl." Katherine shook her head, knowing exactly what article I had read.
Luci sighed deeply and took my hand, lacing our fingers together. "Her name was Cindy. Mattalyn and I were both present when she drowned…
The end of January was still very cool, but that hadn't thwarted Luci and Mattalyn. They had just returned from winter holiday and were itching for some quiet time alone to reacquaint and swap horror stories about Christmas and families. During this time of year, no one bothered to visit the dock on the lake at their all-girls boarding school, except Luci and Mattalyn. They crossed the gigantic courtyard hurriedly, arms locked for security against the snow-slick grass and ice. The narrow path through the woods offered no better walking conditions, but they trekked on bravely.
"This wasn't one of our most brilliantly laid plans, Luci," Mattalyn giggled as she lost her footing, but Luci caught her by the arm and held her up as she wiggled and squirmed. Her huge glasses slid down her nose, and she pushed them up with a gloved finger after she'd found solid ground. Luci laughed.
"We will prevail, my love," she encouraged and pulled Mattalyn forward.
A low haze had settled on the ice-covered lake, and both girls stared at the beauty. Their quick breaths puffed steam in front of them as they slowed their hurried pace to a leisurely walk. They were safe from prying eyes and no longer felt the need to run. Luci kept a tight grip on Mattalyn's arm in the event she may slip on the slick ground again. Mattalyn never was extremely coordinated and was constantly tripping or bumping into things or dropping cups or plates. Luci found it incredibly endearing, but for their other classmates, it only provided fodder for their insults and bullying.
Luci, on the other hand, had become graceful as a young woman. She had earned the prized role of captain of their field hockey team, much to the chagrin of some of the more popular girls. In addition to that, her silky elven-like blonde hair and perfect skin created such an enchantment that made the other girls seethe with jealousy. All but Mattalyn. Her best friend put little stock in physical beauty, though she wasn't shy about complimenting Luci. Mattalyn preferred to wear her mousey brown hair in a lose braid that rested on the front side of her shoulder.
Since that day in the library, the two had become inseparable and had even convinced the headmistress to allow them a room together, just the two of them, since Mattalyn was so bullied. The other rooms had at least five or six girls to a room, which also caused a stir among their classmates. Luci could have easily turned on her nerdy friend and became a part of the popular crowd, given her beauty and athletic abilities, but she refused to relinquish her friendship with Matt. She was the one person who had offered her any kindness when Luci had no friends, and she protected her loyal fri
end from the taunts and slurs thrown in her direction rather than remove herself from the line of fire. If Luci had been asked, she would have revealed that she was as enamored by Mattalyn as Mattalyn was with her. She loved her.
While other girls were having sexual fantasies about celebrities and male athletes, Luci thought about Mattalyn. She'd never been kissed before, and Luci had always hoped that her first time would be with her best friend. She wanted all of her firsts to be with Mattalyn, wanted to give her every part of herself, but she held back out of fear of rejection. She may have been perceived as beautiful by any she met, but only Mattalyn knew of her scarred body, her dirty secret. Perhaps she wouldn't find her so enticing if she were naked.
"This was a novel idea, Luci," Mattalyn offered sarcastically and then giggled. "I'm cold."
"Here." Luci unzipped her thick winter coat and held it open. Mattalyn mirrored her actions and grabbed the edges of her coat as she slid her hands around Luci's lean waist. Their mingling heat instantly warmed them, but Luci suspected that Mattalyn's hands on her waist were responsible for soothing away the cold.
"Better?" She whispered into Mattalyn's hair when the girl rested her head on Luci's shoulder.
"Much." Mattalyn tightened her grip on Luci's waist, pressing their hips together. A hot puff of air blew through Luci's nose and was immediately pulled into her mouth again with a small surprised gasp of arousal. Mattalyn pulled her head up to look into Luci's terrified eyes.
"Luci?" The taller girl turned her head from her friend as the tears began welling in her eyes. "Luci, what's wrong? Are you all right, Love?" The term of endearment strengthened the tears, and Luci pushed Mattalyn's shoulders away from her body. Mattalyn's hands on her waist stopped them from separating.
"Mattalyn, please," Luci begged, and Mattalyn's confused eyes brightened with realization. She ducked her head to meet Luci's averted eyes. She tightened her arms around Luci's waist and studied her friend's eyes. When their hips met, Luci's pupils dilated with arousal, and Mattalyn gasped this time.
"Luci, why didn't you ever tell me, Darling?" Luci closed her eyes and shook her head as tears tumbled onto her cheeks. "Luci, look at me." Mattalyn wanted Luci to see that she wasn't angry or disgusted but relieved. Luci refused to open her eyes. Her hands hung limply at her sides, and Mattalyn knew she was losing her.
Mattalyn stood on her toes and pressed her lips to Luci's. Her eyes slipped shut as Luci's opened in surprise. Mattalyn's lips were soft and warm and everything Luci had imagined them to be but better. Adrenaline zinged through Luci's body, and she placed her hands on Mattalyn's cheek and neck, pulling her closer as the kiss deepened. It was sloppy and hesitant at first, but Luci didn't care. It was Mattalyn. She ended the kiss slowly and brushed her hands over Mattalyn's hair as she searched her eyes for any sign of rejection in those brown eyes. Mattalyn grinned deviously and tugged Luci's hips into hers again. Luci giggled and captured Mattalyn's lips again. Confidence and arousal dictated their movements, the shy tenderness from the previous kiss gone.
"Dear god!" Cindy's surprised voice called from behind Luci. The two friends repelled away from each other like an unseen force had pushed them, and Luci whirled on Cindy.
"I had wondered what exactly would possess you two to come to the dock in the middle of winter. I suppose now I know." The smug, hateful expression on her face sparked Luci's anger.
"Cindy, you are going to keep quiet about this, or I promise you will regret it." Luci stepped forward threateningly and pulled herself to her full height, which rose a few inches above both girls.
"I don't think so. I think Headmistress Ballard needs to be informed. So, this is why you requested a private room to yourself, then?" Mattalyn stepped beside Luci, but her shaking hands only inflamed Luci's building rage.
"Cindy, please. I am asking you nicely one more time. You saw nothing, just two close friends huddled together for warmth. You understand?" Cindy chuckled condescendingly, and Luci grabbed her by the shoulders. "Do you understand?"
"All right, let's make a deal, shall we? I will keep your little secret if you promise to send your… friend to my room one night of every week. We will do whatever we wish to her, and you will not ask us about it. You will not retaliate. Do we have a deal?" Luci did not hesitate.
"No. You and your sick minions are coming nowhere near Mattalyn," she threatened coldly.
"I suppose Ballard will be very interested in what I have to say then." She shoved Luci backwards into Mattalyn, who lost her footing and fell to the ground. Luci sprang forward and grabbed the evil girl by the shoulders and pushed her in kind. Cindy's arms flailed wildly as she stepped off the edge of the dock and fell through the thin ice on the lake. The water splashed and flew as she tried to pull herself onto the dock.
"Luci, help her!" Mattalyn screamed and scrambled to her feet. Luci leaned over the dock, but the flailing had stopped. The freezing water had paralyzed Cindy's body, and she'd gone under the water. Luci reached in and grabbed at her coat as Mattalyn skidded to her knees beside them. Together they hauled Cindy out of the water.
"Matt, go get help." Luci spread Cindy's body on the dock and followed the steps of CPR, but when Mattalyn disappeared from sight, she stopped. Cindy's blue frozen lips and pale face told Luci that she'd drowned or died from shock. There was nothing else that could be done. She waited until she heard voices on the path and then began chest compressions once more. It was an accident, but she knew that two outcasts witnessing the death of a popular well-loved classmate would be suspicious.
She stepped back and hugged Mattalyn close when the headmistress and nurse knelt beside Cindy's body. Everything seemed to pass in slow motion, so Luci buried her face in Mattalyn's neck and waited until they were instructed to leave the scene, which didn't take long. They both told the police and school administrators that Cindy slipped on the ice and fell when they were interviewed later that evening.
That night she crawled into bed beside Mattalyn and held her as her friend cried. She'd been traumatized, and Luci felt helpless to stop the memories. She made love to Mattalyn that night, taking her friend's virginity and giving Matt her own. It was beautiful and sweet and awkward, and exactly the comfort Mattalyn needed to help her sleep. Every night was spent this way until they graduated. Mattalyn needed sex to fall asleep and Luci's arms around her to keep the nightmares at bay.
After graduation, Mattalyn's guilt became too burdensome to bear without Luci's soothing embrace. She'd turned to alcohol first during college, and then other drugs, but she never recovered. She eventually went to rehab and married a man who didn't deserve her in an attempt to alleviate the grief that filled her everyday life. She was finally pulling herself together when she died in a car accident a few years ago.
Luci sat on the cot and stared into the space of the room without seeing anything. I leaned against the white block wall and watched her. The story she'd just told me sapped her energy and strength, and I saw the grief that still consumed her at the thought of her first love being ripped from her prematurely. Maybe that's why Luci and I worked so well as a team. We both seemed to destroy the ones we love the most. That grief combined with Detective Green's earlier treatment concerned me. He had stripped her of her confidence, a piece of her identity. For what? Probably because the blazer prevented her arms from reaching far enough behind her back to cuff them. I hated him and I hated Cindy for taking Mattalyn away from Luci. The longer I waited for the men to return, the deeper my rage boiled in my chest.
"Katherine, how long has it been?" She'd retreated to the desk chair during Luci's tale and listened absently. She'd apparently been with Luci long enough to have been present during the investigation of Cindy's death.
"45 minutes, Dear. Give them time. Police, especially small town police, aren't very efficient. It's not a testament to their abilities, just the fact that they are each expected to complete the work of three people without going into overtime. Welcome to the world of government cutbacks."
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br /> The door at the end of the hall creaked open, and I nearly laughed at the timing. Sheriff Armentrout and Det. Green clomped into the holding room, both looking irritated and defeated. Berta had evidently just gotten Luci off the hook. Derrick stepped forward and unlocked the cell door. He leaned in the door way and jingled the keys.
"Your cook and Bennett corroborated your story, Ms. Pravitas. You are free to go for now with some conditions. Don't leave town. In fact, I would suggest you not leave your mansion. I'm going to check into the phone records and get a court order for your files, invoices, receipts, that kind of thing, just to be sure. So, please get that ready for when the order comes through. It's with the judge right now, so it should be later today. For the record, I think you are hiding something, but I doubt that I will ever know what that is." He stepped aside and gestured for us to leave the cell.
"And for what it's worth, I want to apologize for Det. Green's behavior. He is only passionate about finding the truth." Sheriff Armentrout had the decency to look apologetic and ashamed even though he was lying through his teeth. If I could see that, so could Luci.
"I accept your apology, Sheriff, but you are wrong about Mr. Green." I smirked at her intentional slip when she failed to use his title. "He's a misogynist who hates the fact that three women are smarter than he. Additionally, he cannot bear the thought that one of us may have killed a man, which explains his physical abuse while arresting us. His father was probably abusive and degraded his submissive mother." She set her eyes on Det. Green's. "You may want to seek professional help for that before you lose your job, Mr. Green." He bristled but remained silent as Luci clicked past him, her grace and confidence restored.
I smirked and followed her with my hands in the front pockets of my jeans. She never looked back once. Her confidence faltered, however, when she reached her car. She sat for a few minutes and gripped the steering wheel tightly. I respectfully slid into the backseat, allowing Katherine to ride shotgun. I found no words of comfort to offer, so I stared out the window.
