“Good disguise, appropriate,” I grudgingly admitted. “But what about his face? What can you tell me about what he actually looks like?”
“He's uh, I guess he's maybe your age?” he said. “And he's actually a pretty good-looking guy. I'm saying that as a straight guy, yo, I'm not gay or nothing, but yeah, he's got that pretty boy look. Blond hair, he's real neat and clean and stuff. Pretty big, strong dude as well, I guess he pumps iron regularly, coz he's pretty jacked. I wouldn't want to get in a tangle with the dude; he looks like he could kick some ass if he needed to. But yeah, he looks way more like a respectable businessman or something than a, uh, a drug dealer.”
“Okay. Would you be able to pick him out of a police lineup?” I asked.
“I would, yeah.”
“And you would be willing to identify him in front of a judge, and testify under oath that he was both selling drugs and that he shot Kendrick Green?”
“And if I agree, you'll let me and Leon off?” William said.
“You won't get off completely, no,” I said. “But I'll make sure you're treated leniently. And you will have to go to rehab to get off the substances you're hooked on. There's no getting around that, I'm afraid.”
He bit his lip as he thought deeply about it.
“And you're sure that, like, Mr. Mask couldn't, you know... get us... if we testified in court against him?”
“We would make sure that you two were completely safe. I guarantee it,” I assured him.
He nodded. “Yeah. In that case, yeah. I'll testify.”
I looked at Ben and saw the same triumph that was now glowing inside me reflected in his eyes. We were just one step away from putting this piece of crap behind bars for a very, very long time. We had a key witness who would testify against him and that, coupled with Kendrick's testimony, would be enough to put the man away for a very, very long time, and hopefully end the scourge of the drug problem that was plaguing my school. Now, we would just have to catch him, and that would be no simple feat.
“Excellent. Alright, William, thank you for your cooperation. You'd better stay at home from now on. And call your friend Leon – I assume you know where he is – and tell him about what we've just talked about, and let him know that he should come back here as well and stay home. Can you do that?”
He nodded.
“Good, thank you, William, and thank you, Mr. Stevens,” I added.
“Don't mention it,” he growled. “I'll do whatever it takes to keep this punk out of prison. I hope he's learned his damn lesson.”
“I believe he has,” I smiled reassuringly at William who nodded back at me. It seemed we had an understanding. He was going to keep his nose clean. “Alright, Ben, you ready to go?” I asked.
“Sure am. Thanks again, William, and thank you, too, Mr. Stevens,” he said, and then we turned around and headed toward our cars.
We started talking as soon as we reached Ben’s car.
“This is big, Ben, this is real big!” I said excitedly. “We've almost got this scumbag! Almost!”
“I know, I know. Now, we just have to catch him. There's more than enough evidence to put him away for a long time. But here's the big problem: this guy is elusive, man, like Jason Bourne elusive. How are we going to actually catch him?”
I grinned. A plan had already started to formulate in my mind. “We set up a sting.”
“How, Everett? We're not cops; we're not the FBI, we don't have the means to do that.”
“You've forgotten something, Ben.”
“What have I forgotten?”
“We have someone on the inside.”
His eyes lit up.“Panetti!”
“That's right. And he's perfectly positioned to set Mr. Mask up since we just found out from the Stevens kid that this Mask guy wants more dealers who are high school kids. He already worked with Panetti before; he trusts him. We just need to get Panetti to make contact, say he's interested in dealing again, and set up a meeting – we're waiting there with a hidden camera... And we get him. Bam!”
“I don't know, man,” Ben replied uneasily. “I mean, this guy is a killer, Ev. We should really be getting the cops in on this.”
“Remember, there's a good chance the cops around here have already been bought by Mr. Mask. I’m afraid we need to do this another way. I have a friend with the State Bureau of Investigation. I’ll see what kind of help he can offer. I totally understand that you're nervous about the fact that this guy is a killer, and that's a totally legitimate concern. Worst case scenario, I can ask a buddy of mine to help – someone who has been shot at plenty of times, someone who has also done a lot of shooting himself.”
“You know people like that?” Ben questioned me.
“My friend, he used to be a Navy SEAL.”
“Oh man, yeah, if he could help, that's just the sort of person we need.”
“If I know him, he'll be down to help.”
“Alright, alright... This sounds promising. I guess we need to meet with Panetti then and figure it out,” Ben stated.
“I’ll get in touch with my friends tonight. We'll call Panetti into the office at school tomorrow,” I said. “We don't want to arouse suspicions by visiting him at his house – you never know who might be watching.”
“Yeah, good idea. Okay, well I guess we're done for the day then. I'll see you at school tomorrow,” Ben said.
“Sure. See you then, Ben, bye.”
I drove home excited; things were finally starting to look like they could be solved here. Getting Mr. Mask would be a good one. I was eager to tell Vivienne about all of it; I knew she'd be relieved that it was all going to end soon.
I took out my phone to check the time and saw the message from Liza again. Ugh, I'd forgotten about that. Well, I guessed now was as good a time as any to get this out of the way. I pulled over to the side of the road and typed out a response.
“Liza, I'm flattered by what you've said, but I'm sorry, it was over between us a long time ago, and it's always going to be over between us. I've forgiven you for what you did, but that’s as far as this goes. That's a slate that simply cannot be wiped clean. Also, I've moved on now, and found someone I truly love. I'm sorry you're going through a rough time in your personal life, but there's nothing I can do to help you out there. We went our separate ways years ago, and I think it's best that we keep things that way. All the best, Everett.”
I pressed “send”. It had been hard to say those things, but they were truth, and the truth could sometimes be harsh. I took no pleasure in hurting her, but I didn't need her in my life, not now, not ever again. I had Vivienne, and it hadn’t taken long to realize that she was who I wanted to be with.
I scrolled through my contacts and found the number I was looking for—Scott Lane. He’d been the only other member of our squadron who had left the Navy. Unlike Jimmy and me, though, he couldn’t leave the life of service completely behind. So, he’d joined the SBI.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Vivienne
It took a while for the shock of what I had seen on Everett's phone to really kick in. I would never in a million years have thought that he would be a cheater and had never imagined that he would do it so early on in our relationship. Yet, there it had been in black and white – proof of the kind of man he really was. I didn't know who this Liza woman was, but I knew that he’d had his arms around her at some point earlier that day... and who knew what else they had done together in private.
I suppose I shouldn’t have been too shocked. After all, he had kept his secret about being a Navy SEAL for so long; I couldn't help wondering what other secrets he must have been keeping. Well, I knew one of them: a secret named Liza.
I felt like throwing up. Of course, I had been too shocked to say or do anything when he'd taken his phone, so I had just watched him go – go out to “find the drug dealers,” if that was his excuse. I ran the whole gamut of emotions in the first 20 or 30 minutes after he had left; rage, pain, broken trust, disbelief, shock, grief
. Everything. With everything that had happened recently, it was almost too much to take. I was fighting the overwhelming urge to break down right there and then.
I knew I had to do something about it; I couldn't just let it slide. I couldn't pretend I hadn't seen it because I would know. I would always, always know... And who knew how long this thing with this Liza woman had been going on, how long he had been carrying on with her. For that matter, it was more likely that I was the other woman and she was the one truly being cheated on.
Still, he had put on a good show. Everything about him had seemed so real, so genuine. The way he had cared for me, how deeply he seemed to care felt so sincere. That’s why this came as such a shock. I guess, in retrospect, I shouldn't be so surprised. He’s young, extremely attractive, and apparently has a really high sex drive as well. How could he not want a woman – or women – on the side? What hurt the most was being fooled. He had seemed to be such a genuinely decent man. And now, now I knew the ugly truth of the matter.
Well, no more. If he thought he could make a fool out of me, he was mistaken. He was in for an even bigger shock than the one he had given me.
I was done and never wanted to speak to him again. I would have done it the moment he left the house, but I couldn't just leave his daughter alone. And as soon as I thought of poor, sweet little Jane, the tears started. She was the real victim here; her father, her only parent, was a womanizer who would drive away every mother-figure who came into their lives. She would live a life with female role models who just weren't there, flavors of the week who came into and then drifted out of her life like ships in the night.
But what could I do about that? Live with a liar, be made a fool of for the sake of his child? I cared very much for that lovely little girl, but it was a sacrifice I couldn't make. If I did, I would probably just end up blaming her and resenting her down the line.
I couldn't go back to my place, not with the threat of Simon lingering as it had been. Hell, I'd probably have to sell the place anyway. I couldn't stand the thought of having to see the reminder of this liar, this deceiver who had ripped my heart out every day. I couldn't live like that.
My friends here all had families, so I didn't want to intrude and push my way into their homes. And I couldn't exactly go across the road to ask Mrs. Dobbins if I could stay there. Ah, but wait – there was one person I knew who was single, someone who wouldn't mind, hopefully, putting me up for a night or two before I could arrange a safe place to stay on my own.
I got my phone out and called Angie.
“Hey girl,” she said as she answered. “How's your Sunday night going?”
“Not great, Angie, not great. Actually, it’s horrible.”
“Oh no! Why, what's the problem?”
“I need a place to stay. I can't stay at my house, because of the whole Simon thing, and now I can't stay here at Everett's place either.”
“Oh, why not?” she asked.
I sighed and felt a burst of both anger and grief tear its way through my inner core.
“Because he's cheating on me. I just found out... and I just can't handle being around him. He's out now, and he doesn't know that I know yet. His daughter is here sleeping, and I... I don't know what to do. I can't leave her alone, but I really, really don't want to see him when he gets back.”
“Look, I'll come pick you up. We can wait until he gets back, then you can tell him that you're leaving, and you can stay at my place. He won't know who I am or where to find me,” she stated.
“Are you sure? I mean, I don't want to impose or anything.”
“Come on, girl, what are friends for? I know you've had some rough times and that things aren't great for you right now. I'm happy to help. I'll come right now, alright? You get a few things packed, and get ready to go.”
“You're totally sure that this is okay? I'm not intruding or anything, you're sure?” I asked again.
“Very sure, Vivienne, very sure. I'll see you soon, okay?”
“Okay, thanks so much, Angie.”
“Don't mention it. I'll be there in a bit. Bye.”
“Bye, Angie.”
I cut off the call and immediately started packing the few things I had at Everett’s. There was nothing to do now but move on.
Chapter Thirty
Everett
I pulled into my driveway and saw a car parked outside my house, a car I didn't know. Immediately, my mind raced to the idea that it could be something to do with Simon, so I loosened my pistol in its hidden holster on my waist under my jacket, and flicked the safety off.
I got out and walked cautiously over to the car. Inside, however, I saw a female driver, and in the passenger seat was Vivienne. She looked like she had been crying.
“Vivienne, what's going on?” I asked.
“You been out busting drug dealers?” she said, her voice cold and harsh, the sarcasm bitingly evident.
“Well, yes, kind of. What are you doing?”
“I'm leaving! I'm going to stay with my friend, Angie! Jane is still asleep, I just checked on her a couple of minutes ago.”
“B- but... why?” I stammered, totally confused.
“Don't act so innocent!” she snapped. “I'm not stupid! I saw the message on your phone! Go wrap your damn arms around Liza, whoever that is, because I don't ever want them around me again, you lying bastard! Goodbye!”
The woman—Angie—shot me a venomous glare and floored her accelerator, throwing gravel as she sped out of my driveway, screeching tires and leaving me standing in a tornado of confusion, shock, and dust.
It hit me like a ton of bricks; Vivienne had seen the message Liza had sent me. I couldn't believe how terrible the timing had been – it had to have come through right when I had gotten up to get my truck keys and my pistol. And, of course, she had no idea about the context of the message, and that, of course, was my fault. I should have told her right away about who the specialist who had seen to Jane was. I should have opened up about my past, about Liza and what she had put me through.
But I hadn't – I had tried to keep it a secret, even though I knew nothing was going to happen between Liza and me. And now I was paying the price for it. I immediately got out my phone and dialed Vivienne, wanting to explain everything, but her number just rang and rang until it went to voicemail.
I tried again, but she had turned her phone off. I knew her friend’s name was Angie, but I didn't know her last name. Besides, it was Sunday night, and I was pretty tired after everything that had happened. I knew I had to explain everything to Vivienne – saving our relationship was important – but I also knew that, realistically speaking, there wasn't really much I could do about it now. She wasn’t going to answer my calls, and I couldn’t just leave the house and take off down the road after her.
I trudged inside and closed the door, a knot forming in the pit of my stomach. The house immediately felt way more empty now that Vivienne was no longer in it. If there had been any doubt before, I knew right then that I had to do absolutely everything I could to get her back.
But right now, I also knew that she was probably mad and hurt, so to try to explain anything to her at this point would likely fall on deaf ears, and may well do more damage than good. As painful as it was, I figured that the best option at this point would be to just let her sleep it off, and talk in the morning when things had cooled down a bit. Perhaps then she would be open to more rational and reasonable discussion; she certainly would not be open to such things right now.
I walked over to Jane's room with a heavy heart and looked through the door after opening it a crack. She was sleeping peacefully and looking calm and angelic.
“At least I still have you, sweet pea,” I whispered.
With that, I plodded to my bathroom where I brushed my teeth unenthusiastically, then headed to my bedroom, got undressed and went to bed. It seemed as though it took forever to fall asleep.
Chapter Thirty-One
Vivienne
I turned a
nd looked over my shoulder as we drove away, staring at Everett as he stood on the pavement, looking shocked and hurt. And I was crying now; even though I knew he was a cheater, it had been really hard to leave him, to walk out like that. Part of me had wanted to simply forgive him, to let it all go, to just forget about it and jump into his arms... but I knew that I couldn't live like that, not now that I knew what he had done. This had hurt, but it was something that I had to do.
“Thank you, Angie,” I said. “I really appreciate this. I honestly do. You're such a good friend.”
“Aw, there's no need to thank me, Vivienne,” she said. “I'm sure you'd do the same thing for me. Now come on, I've got a bottle or two of red wine at home. That'll help you to feel better, I'm sure. And you're the owner of your daycare, right? Why don't you call them and say that you won’t be coming in tomorrow morning? You don't need the stress of work on top of all of this.”
I thought about that for a while and figured that it might be good to take a little time off work. After all, Graciela could be trusted to run the place on her own for one day.
“Alright, sure, I'll do that,” I said. “Let's just have a good time tonight, and then I can at least forget for a little while about what's happened.”
“Good decision,” she commented with a smile.
I called up Graciela and let her know that I wouldn't be coming to work the next day, and she seemed fine with that. After a few minutes, we arrived at Angie's apartment building. She drove into the parking lot and parked, and then we took an elevator up to the fourth floor, where she lived. Her apartment was nice and cozy, and was tastefully decorated with very modern, minimalist furniture and trappings.
“This is a lovely little place you've got here,” I remarked.
“It is quite nice, huh?” she said. “Glad you like it. Make yourself comfortable; I'll get the wine. You want some snacks too? I've got some crackers, cheese, and hummus, always good with wine.”
“That sounds good,” I said. “I'll just go to the bathroom first.”
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