Deadly Deception

by London St Charles

  Even though Cadence was sitting the closest to the judge, she couldn’t make out anything the bailiff said to him.

  After a few seconds, Judge Duncan removed his glasses and faced the jury. “You are excused,” he said, gathering his things. “Court’s adjourned. We’ll reconvene tomorrow at nine.”

  Chatter filled the gallery. Cadence glanced at Knox as he sat with a perplexed expression.

  Judge Duncan had disappeared into his chambers before Cadence stepped down from the witness stand.

  Knox placed his MacBook Air and files in a leather briefcase, then met Cadence in the center aisle. “This gives us time to talk about your testimony.”

  “Not now,” she said, brushing him off. “I have to see if they found Jackson.”

  Chapter 24

  Jackson slipped in and out of consciousness. The air smelled of mold, mildew, and urine. His lips were sealed shut from lack of moisture, and his mouth felt dryer than crumbly chocolate cake. The cold penetrated the balls of his bare feet, and his toes were numb. He was too weak to open his eyes, but all of his other senses were on high alert.

  “We’ve been here for three days. How much longer do we have to babysit?” Jackson heard Glenda’s rough voice ask. “Can’t we just kill him already?”

  “After today, you can have your way with him,” a male voice replied. “We’ll dump his body on his wife’s doorstep. That’ll teach her ass to eff with me.”

  “Lester. What’s one more day gonna do?” Glenda asked, grabbing Jackson’s face, jerking it back and forth.

  Jackson practiced staying limp, but it was hard not to flinch when she touched him. He hoped Glenda hadn’t noticed.

  “I promised Uncle Clark that no harm would come to him before O’Brien’s trial, and I must keep my word. By the time we burn his ass alive, Uncle Clark will have me back in lock-up, eliminating me as a suspect. That’s why.”

  Uncle Clark?

  “Do you think Cadence is still going to testify?” Glenda asked, letting go of Jackson’s face.

  “I got word that she’s at the courthouse,” Lester replied. “My theory’s that she’ll be so messed up that O’Brien’s attorney will rip her to shreds on the stand, making her look emotional and hostile.”

  “All I know is, O’Brien and the judge better hold up their end of the deal,” Glenda growled. “I ain’t going down for this shit. We did them a solid, and I expect immunity in return.”

  “Are you threatening my uncle?” Lester roared, his voice getting closer.

  “I’m just saying; you have family loyalty. Judge Duncan doesn’t owe me shit. How do I know he won’t leave me hanging?”

  Judge Duncan is Lester’s uncle.

  “Because he said he wouldn’t, and that’s all the confirmation you need,” Lester shot back, his tone fiery. “Plus, if he did, he’d leave himself opened up for questioning. Uncle Clark has too much to lose. He’s not about to put his livelihood on the line just to burn you, trust that if you don’t trust anything else.”

  “Alright,” she said, and Jackson could feel her standing close to him. “Let’s get something to eat. It’s not like he’s going anywhere.”

  “How much of a dose did you give him?” Lester asked; his corn chip breath pricked Jackson’s nose hairs.

  It took everything in Jackson’s power not to wince or sneeze.

  “I’m surprised he’s still out,” Lester commented. “I just knew he was on steroids from the build of his muscular frame, but maybe not. Virgin lungs are more susceptible to sedatives.”

  “I can give him another dose,” Glenda said, and every nerve in Jackson’s body jolted.

  “He’s good, and even if he does come to, he ain’t going nowhere.” Lester released a mad man’s laugh. “Let’s go.”

  Jackson freed a breath he’d been holding. The further away Lester and Glenda’s steps got, the heavier he inhaled and exhaled. Jackson forced his eyes open, and they felt like ten-pound barbells were sitting on each lid. He looked around. The room was dark with a glimmer of light coming through a tiny blocked-glass window. Concrete and steel beams were the only architecture in the place.

  “This must be an abandoned warehouse or storage facility, but where?” he whispered as if someone would overhear him.

  He tried to move his arms and legs, but they were bound to a metal chair with heavy rope.

  All he could think about was getting home to Cadence and Jackie ... alive.

  “Somebody help me,” Jackson screamed; his raspy voice echoed off the hollow walls. “Can anyone hear me?”

  If only Jackson had his phone, he could beckon Siri to call the police. They would be able to ping his location through the find my iPhone app. Jackson wasn’t sure when his phone disappeared. The last thing he remembered was being in the back of the car with Glenda and Bea. He rotated his neck, and it was sore on the left side.

  “Glenda drugged me,” he uttered as the memory came rushing back.

  Where did Bea go?

  The only voices he’d heard off and on over the past three days were Lester and Glenda’s.

  “Heyyy,” Jackson shouted, and this time his voice carried a little more as the saliva in his mouth replenished. “Can anyone hear me? I need help.”

  “Yea,” a masculine voice barked back. “I can hear you real good.”

  “Lester,” Jackson mumbled, kicking himself for not waiting long enough before he summoned for help.

  “I told you I should’ve given him another shot,” Glenda countered, digging in a backpack.

  Lester circled Jackson. “I wonder what would’ve happened had I not forgotten my wallet.”

  “Not a damn thing,” a third voice bellowed as heavy smoke filled the room.

  Jackson’s hearing sharpened, lasering in on the sound and direction of the voice. It came from the right.

  “Show yourself before this becomes a bloodbath,” Lester warned, grabbing Jackson by the back of the neck, and pushing a gun into the spot behind his ear. “I don’t have a problem with killing him.”

  “You better be mindful what you say,” a different voice cautioned, and Jackson recognized that one. It was his cousin, Sly. “Let him go, and you can walk out of here in one piece.”

  Jackson heard a click. The sound echoed in his ear from Lester, removing the safety from his gun.

  “Don’t do it,” the first voice advised. “I already have your accomplice.”

  “Yeah, right,” Lester egged the man on. “Ain’t no way you came up on her that quick. She’s police.”

  “So am I,” the man shot back. “I trained this two-timing little shit. Taught her everything she knows. It’s a shame that her talent has gone to waste.”

  “Xavier,” Lester called out. “I know all about you.”

  “Is that right,” Detective Carter replied.

  “Shut up, Lester,” Glenda ordered, sounding like she was the person in charge instead of him.

  Jackson narrowed his eyes, but it was no help. He couldn’t see anything through the smoke.

  A gunshot hit the small blocked-glass window, shattering one of the squares. The wind whistled through the opening.

  Lester knocked Jackson’s chair over, then took off running. His footsteps didn’t travel too far before a second gunshot blasted, resulting in Lester letting out a howling noise that resembled a wounded animal.

  “Suspect down,” Glenda called out, leaving Jackson more confused than ever.

  “Jax, man. You good?” Sly rushed over as the smoke dissipated through the opening in the window. He pulled a utility knife from his pocket and cut the ropes. “Did that maniac hurt you?”

  “I’m good,” Jackson replied. “How’s Cadence?”

  “She’s fine. Let me make sure you’re alright,” Sly commented, helping Jackson to his feet. “You have a nasty gash on the side of your head.”

  “I don’t feel a thing,” Jackson said, lifting a tingling arm to his temple. “My whole body feels numb.”

  Glenda came
over with a heated blanket and wrapped it around Jackson. “The paramedics will start an IV, flushing your system with saline,” she said, placing the chair upright and guiding Jackson to sit in it. “The side effects will wear off in a few hours.”

  “Who are you?” Jackson asked, glancing over at Lester.

  Detective Carter had him in handcuffs, sitting on the floor with his back against the concrete wall. Lester’s jean leg was covered in red from the knee to his ankle.

  “My real name is Gloria, and Detective Carter is my handler.”

  Jackson absorbed that information, replaying everything from the DCFS arrest up until now.

  “And Bea?” he asked as Sly took off his shoes and socks, and slid the warm knitted wool garments on Jackson’s icy feet.

  “She’s in custody,” Gloria replied.

  “Is she really a cop?”

  “Yep.” Gloria nodded; her facial expression mimicked one of disgust. “She’s as dirty as they come.”

  Jackson marveled at how Gloria and Bea played off of each other. He would never have thought that Gloria would be his saving grace. She was the cruelest of them all.

  The paramedics rushed in, tending to both Jackson and Lester.

  “How did you find me?” Jackson asked, looking beyond the female paramedic who cleaned the wound to his temple.

  He knew there had to be more to the story since Sly was there.

  “Not now. I’ll tell you everything––– later,” Detective Carter said in a raised voice, cutting Sly off before he could explain. Then he placed his focus on Gloria. “Ride with Jackson to the hospital. Take him directly there. No stops.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Sly. You’re coming with me,” Detective Carter ordered, glaring at Lester. “We have unfinished business.”

  Chapter 25

  Cadence made a beeline out of the courtroom and called Detective Carter. When he didn’t answer, she called Sly.

  “What’s going on, Sissy?” Crystal asked. “Did they find Jackson?”

  “I don’t know,” she shouted, stomping her foot. “Nobody’s answering their phone.”

  “Come on,” Crystal said, grabbing Cadence’s wrist. “That guard looks like she’s having a problem with us. Let’s go to the lobby.”

  Cadence followed her sister to the elevators with her attention on the phone. She called them repeatedly, one after the other for ten minutes straight. Finally, Sly answered.

  “Hey.”

  “Do you have Jackson?” she blurted out, making the guards in the lobby take notice.

  “He’s on his way to Mercy Hospital with Glenda. They may already be there. I mean––– Detective Gloria,” Sly corrected. “But don’t worry, Jax is okay.”

  “Gloria Powell. The dirty cop who pretended to work for DCFS,” Cadence shot back.

  “Sissy,” Crystal said, touching Cadence’s arm, but she shrugged her off. “This is neither the time nor the place to be talking foul about the police. We need to go.”

  “It’s a long story, but trust me, she’s one of the good guys,” Sly reassured.

  “Fuck that,” Cadence bellowed in disbelief. “She barged into our house, threatened to put our daughter in foster care, and arrested my husband under false pretenses.”

  “Alright. Let’s go.” Crystal pushed Cadence toward the exit.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Cadence barked, turning to face Crystal when she saw a group of Cook County sheriffs eyeing them ready to pounce.

  Cadence did an about-face and left the building with Crystal by her side.

  “Where are you?” Cadence asked Sly as she descended the concrete stairs, then paced along the sidewalk, side-stepping pedestrians.

  “With Detective Carter,” he replied. “I’ll explain later.”

  “And you left Jackson with that woman.”

  “Trust me, Cadence. He’s in good hands,” Sly countered. “Tony’s waiting for you at the hospital. I’ll be there in a few.”

  “Sly,” she called out, but he’d ended the call. “Ugh.”

  “What did he say?” Crystal asked, pulling the collar of her coat snug around her neck.

  “Jackson’s at Mercy Hospital.”

  “I’ll get us an Uber.”

  Cadence forgot that Detective Carter drove them to the courthouse. The five minutes they waited for their ride seemed like an eternity. She couldn’t wait to put her eyes on her husband. They climbed into the backseat, and the warmth of the car felt good. Cadence hadn’t realized how cold she was. Her body was fueled by exhilaration and confusion as she tried to make sense of the information Sly divulged. Nothing he said was logical.

  “Is Jackson alive?” Crystal leaned in and whispered.

  “Yes.”

  “Is he hurt?”

  “I don’t know,” Cadence responded, wringing her hands. “Sly says he’s alright. The fact that he’s alive is enough for me.” She laid her head on Crystal’s shoulder. “We’ll worry about the rest as it comes.”

  Cadence closed her eyes, and they rode in silence for the duration of the trip.

  The Uber driver pulled in front of the emergency room entrance. Cadence leaped out of the car before it came to a complete stop, and ran toward the automatic sliding glass doors.

  “Where is he?” she asked Tony, who was posted against the wall looking like a model for a fashion outerwear magazine, wearing a black turtleneck, a lambskin leather bomber jacket, dark denim jeans, and lace-up Givenchy boots.

  “Calm down,” he said, clutching her arms. “Jackson’s okay.”

  “Take me to him, please.”

  “Hey Crystal,” Tony said, giving her a hug. “Y’all follow me.”

  They walked into the hospital and stopped at the information desk. The emergency room’s waiting area was swamped with men, women, and children of all ages.

  “We’re here to see Jackson Goldsmith,” Tony said to the woman in dark green scrubs behind the desk. “He’s in room three.”

  “I’m sorry, but–––”

  Gloria walked over, stopped at the desk, and flashed her badge. “They’re with me.”

  “Sorry, officer.”

  “Detective,” Gloria corrected, then waved them forward. “This way.”

  Cadence huffed, glancing at Gloria as she fell in step with her. They moved through the double doors that led to the back of the emergency room where the patient rooms were. Nurses, doctors, beeping machines, crying children, and a stationed security guard outside of room three greeted them.

  “Hold on,” Cadence said, stepping in front of Gloria. “You’re gonna have to tell me something because this is just too much.”

  “I will,” she replied, nodding to the guard. “Soon as Detective Carter gives the okay. Just know I did what I had to do. Jackson was never in any real danger.”

  Cadence balked, placing hands on her hips. “Detective Carter was the one who told me you were a dirty cop working for Lester. Now, you’re saying …” Cadence waved her off. “I just want to see my husband.”

  “Very well,” Gloria remarked, opening the glass door and pulling the privacy curtain to the side. She remained outside of the room, claiming the spot the guard was in when they arrived.

  “Jackson,” Cadence cried, rushing to him and throwing her arms around his chest. “I love you so much.”

  “Baby,” he replied, burying his face in her neck, and pulling her more into his body. “All I could think about was getting home to you and Jackie.”

  Cadence kissed Jackson’s bruised cheek, giving him a thorough once-over. He had a gauze bandage on the left side of his head.

  “What happened here?” she asked, touching the dressing gently.

  “It doesn’t matter.” Jackson smiled, wrapping his fingers around her hand, and pulling them to his lips. “The only thing that’s important is that I’m here with you.” He paused, gazing at his beautiful wife.

  They were lost in each other’s trance for a moment when Jackson flinched, star
tling Cadence.

  “Have you talked to my mom and dad? Do they know what’s going on?” Jackson asked.

  “I spoke with Ella the day you were arrested. She didn’t take the news well, and your father did what he could to calm her,” Cadence winced, remembering the stress in Ella’s voice. “When I learned the truth, I called your dad. Thomas told me not to worry, and then said he would explain everything to mom,” she said, retrieving the phone from her purse. “I haven’t had a chance to call them today. I rushed straight to the hospital from the courthouse. I needed to lay my eyes on you first to make sure you were okay.”

  Cadence dialed Jackson’s parents, and she handed him the phone when Ella answered. They talked for several minutes with Jackson reassuring his mom every few seconds that he was alright. Everyone in the room remained silent until he ended the call.

  “I’m happy to see you, brother-in-law,” Crystal said, moving to the opposite side of the bed, squeezing Jackson’s leg. “You had us worried for a bit.”

  “Yea. What she said,” Tony cosigned, giving Jackson a fist bump.

  “Can you please tell me what happened once, she took you?” Cadence asked, pointing at Gloria, who stood in the hall by the doorway.

  “Cut her a break, baby,” Jackson advised, shifting on the bed. “Things aren’t what they seem.”

  A knock on the glass caught everyone’s attention as Gloria opened the door, then stepped aside. Detective Carter and Sly entered the cramped room.

  “How are you feeling?” Detective Carter asked, standing at the foot of the bed.

  “Much better now,” Jackson answered, smiling at his wife.

  “You look a hell of a lot better too,” Sly commented, sliding his thumbs through the belt loops on his jeans. “How’re your feet?”

  “What does he mean?” Cadence questioned, looking toward the two lumps under the covers at the foot of the bed.

  “I can feel my toes. All of them, thanks to you, Sly.”

  “Good.”

  “Where did y’all take Lester?” Jackson asked, narrowing his gaze on Detective Carter.

  “He’s back in the county jail’s infirmary with my partner, Jason Sharpe, standing guard,” Detective Carter answered. “He ain’t going anywhere.”