by Debra Jupe
The lack of privacy only extended her disgrace, but she figured for now she’d better get over it. This may be how she lived for a while.
The detective was waiting outside the restroom. “Your attorney is here.”
He led her to a small, white room. No windows and one door. A plain table sat in the middle with two straight back chairs on either side was the only furniture. She didn’t sit. Instead she paced the floor, despite her tiredness, wishing this whole nightmare was finished. After was seemed like day and a half, Cruz walked inside with a partner.
She rushed to Cruz, happy to see a familiar face. “Thank you. Thank you so much for coming.”
He took her hands and led her to the table. “You look drained. Here, sit down.” He soothingly pushed her into the chair. “This is Martin Lolle. He’s a criminal attorney and he’ll be representing you. Your dad had him flown in from Houston. He’s the best defense lawyer in the state. Do what he says.”
“Mr. Lolle,” she acknowledged.
He was a short, diminutive man, with a slight receding hairline. Large, thick glasses covered his middle aged face. His expression reminded Katie of a dog who wouldn’t release a bone no matter what. She wasn’t certain if she got positive or negative vibes from him. One thing for sure, she didn’t want him as an enemy.
“Ms. Drapier,” he said in calm, but firm tone as he laid a briefcase on the table. He opened the lid and brought out a thick folder, which he placed in front of him. “We don’t have a lot of time. Let me explain what is about to happen.” He didn’t wait for a reply. “You’ll be questioned by the police. You will not answer their inquiries. Repeat. Do NOT say a word. I’ll do the talking.” He stared straight at her. “Do you understand?”
She bit her lip and nodded.
“This should go quick. Once they’re finished, they’ll place you in a holding cell until the DA makes a decision. If an arraignment is required, bail will be set or denied. We’ll pull a few strings. Our choice judge is affable.”
“By affable, he means your dad and his honor are acquainted,” Cruz put in.
“Even then, he may still set a high bond or deny, because you did flee. We’re hoping he’ll consider your overall record, ignore your recent transgression, and be lenient.” The door opened and two detectives entered. Martin’s gaze pierced into her. “Are you ready? Do exactly as I’ve instructed you. Got it?”
The integration went as Katie’s attorney described. Hands clutched in her lap, her bottom lip tucked between her teeth, she did her best to remain motionless while they peppered her with inquires. Everything happened fast, and though she didn’t speak, the procedure was the most unnerving she’d been through thus far.
The detectives stood to leave.
“Another moment?” Martin asked, indicating toward Katie.
They nodded as they exited the room.
“You did very well, although your facial expression altered a smidge when they probed about you being near the Nutt home on the night of the murder.” He glanced at Cruz. “I’m sure they caught that.”
“They already know the answer.”
Before she could reply, Martin leaned across the table putting his face close to hers. His bottle cap glasses magnified his eyeballs. His irises looked as if they swam in a fishbowl.
“Careful what you say inside,” he whispered. “Don’t trust anyone or give out any information.”
“In other words, don’t make friends,” Cruz advised.
“Whatever you do, keep your mouth closed.”
“Can I see my parents?”
“Not tonight, I’m afraid.” Martin gathered his paperwork and stuffed the mass into his briefcase as he stood. Cruz followed suit, and quietly called for the guard.
Katie rose from her chair too, her knees wobbled from fright at the sight of the huge man who’d entered to take her to her new lodgings. “What happened to Jack, Cruz? Where is he?”
“Up to his eyeballs in stupidity.”
The guard replaced the dreaded medal cuffs around her wrists, and then she was steered out of the room before she could ask anything else.
“Hang in there, Katie,” Cruz called as the man led her away.
Thankfully, they didn’t make her change into prison garb, and they locked her in a secluded area, alone. Maybe her father’s influence was the reason they sectored her, no matter, she was happy for the solitude. She lay on a puny mattress, so tired she fell asleep within seconds.
“Wakey, wakey, jailbird.”
Katie blinked repetitively and slowly sat, trying to distinguish her whereabouts. She shook her head and glanced around, taking in the dingy, cemented dungeon. Right. She was in jail.
“You okay?”
She gazed across the small area. Jules leaned against the bars, peering inside.
Slowly, Katie rolled off the bed, her body screeched from lying on the pad seemingly made of granite.
Jules nodded at the stained, steel toilet braced to the wall. “They’ve provided you with some lovely accommodations.”
“County spares no expense.” She walked to where Jules stood, and hugged her though the rods. “How did you manage a visit? Without a guard to watch over us.”
“You want my secret to getting a free pass?” She smiled. “You’re aware how the system works. You know someone who knows someone and all kinds of doors open.”
“And you’re acquainted with?”
“Chuck at the front desk. One of my best customers.”
“Ah, yes, Officer Chuck. Hasn’t he tried to date you for like, years?”
“We’re doing dinner and a play Saturday night. So not my type.” Jules gripped the iron bars with both hands and pretended to bang her head them. “The things I must do for my friends.”
“You’ve gone over and beyond this time.”
“I had to make sure you were okay. I’m not allowed to stay long.” She flashed a smile and spoke through clenched teeth. “Can’t get my new boyfriend in trouble.”
“How are my parents? Are they here?”
“Yes, and understandably upset. But they’re doing everything to get you out of this jam.”
“And Jack?”
Jules laughed sarcastically as she crossed her arms across her chest. “He and his two arresting officers are tighter than cemented bricks. He waltzed out the door right after I arrived. The three of them were having the best time. On their way to breakfast, I believe.”
“My deputies were total assholes. They must be overcompensating for their tiny badges. They said Jack is considered an accessory in Hazel’s murder.”
Jules flipped her palm. “He’s not anything. You’re worried over nothing.”
“It’s not nothing. He’s here because of me.”
“No he’s not. Chuck said they found specks of blood belonging to someone other than Hazel. Jack’s a possible match, although DNA tests won’t be back for weeks. He claims he cut himself in a fall. They apparently believed him because they released him.”
Relief swept over her. “Oh thank goodness.”
“Priorities, Katie. I mean you do realize you’re the one in jail, right?” Jules reminded. “At least for the next seventy-two hours.”
Katie glanced around. “Small space, no windows, no color, decorations are a disgusting toilet and a dirty cot?” She nodded. “Oh yeah, I’m mindful of my predicament.”
“Then stop dwelling on Jack. He didn’t seem too upset over your circumstances.”
“Do you think he’s aware that I’ve been arrested?”
“The whole town is, so I’m sure he knows.”
Katie grasped the iron shafts, leaning her forehead against them for support.
“What Katie?” Her expression turned grim. “Something happened between you and Jack while you were out in the middle of nowhere?”
“Don’t want to talk about it,” she mumbled, as she released the bars and hurried to lie down onto her saggy bed, feeling she may be sick. He hated her. He’d gotten the wrong i
dea, and now they were done forever.
“It’s worse than I thought.” Jules appeared dismayed. “Okay, calm down.”
“I’m calm. I just need,” she stopped. “I don’t know what I need.” She sat up and stared at Jules. “Yes I do. You must do a favor for me.”
“Dating Chuck isn’t enough?”
“I realize I’m asking a lot, but this is huge.”
Jules sighed. “Tell me.”
“Find Jack. He’s furious with me, because he thinks I snuck away, leaving him to get in trouble.” She rose from the bed and rushed to Jules, shaking her head. “I didn’t. I went inside to go to the bathroom before the deputies arrived. I even gave myself up when the second set of authorities showed up. I could’ve escaped through an old war tunnel located in my grandmother’s closet. They would’ve never found me. Jules go find him and tell him,” she pleaded. “I need for him to understand.”
Jules nodded. “I will.” She embraced Katie through the bars. “I hope it’ll give you the results you’re expecting.”
Jules left, but Katie felt little relief. She lay on the cot. Her only interaction was with a guard who brought her lunch, which consisted of a green begonia sandwich, a bag of chips and a bottle of juice.
She bypassed the sandwich, tried a chip, and found the entire sack to be stale. The only thing remotely palatable was the drink, and after checking the ingredients she discovered what she’d already assumed. Full of sugar and preservatives.
Starvation may not be a bad way to go if her situations didn’t improve soon.
Another guard walked inside the chamber, pressing a knob that automatically opened the door to her cell. “You’re free. Charges are dropped. You can leave.”
Uncertainty rose in her chest. “I’m what?”
“Don’t pay me to asked questions.” He grinned. “I just do what I’m told.”
She jumped off the bed and nearly skipped through the steel bars. Freedom. No more musty air, thin mattresses, and she could go to the bathroom without an audience.
“Down the hall, second door to the left. People are waiting for you.”
She hurried to follow his instructions.
“Want your lunch?”
“No thanks,” she hollered as she ran. She found her parents, and bounced into their arms, hugging them both, her eyes full of tears.
Her attorney, Martin was with them. “DA has decided the evidence isn’t strong enough to take before a grand jury.”
Her brows shot up. “I had the knife.”
“Not a secret, Katie,” Jed reminded her.
“The DA seems to think the set up against you is too perfect. Staged.” Her mother hugged her again. “But the most compelling, is they’ve pinpointed the time of death when you were at the ranch.”
“Mr. Lolle is well worth the money, but you’re not off the hook, young lady. They can review and arrest you again if they find more evidence,” her father warned. “Why didn’t you tell us that you drove past Hazel’s the night of the killing?”
“I should’ve. I was so scared of what the implication might mean. I went by going from your house to Jules’s place. I thought about stopping, decided it wouldn’t do any good to talk to her. She’d made her decision.” Her shoulders slumped. “I suppose my cell pinged the tower and gave me away.”
“Yep. Which could’ve sent you to prison for a long time. Still could,” Jed cautioned.
Her eyes watered. “I’m not able to deal with this right now, can we please leave?”
“Your jeep’s impounded, so you’ll have to hitch a ride with us,” Lila told her.
“Why?”
“The murder weapon was hidden inside. They are checking for prints.” Jed gave Lila a frustrated look. “Except those Barney Fife’s probably destroyed any real evidence. You’ll have to use one of the work trucks.”
“What happened to Jack?” Katie asked after she collected her belongings.
“He’s already gone home,” her dad said, opening the door leading to the parking lot.
“You sent him with me to bring me back, didn’t you, Pops?”
“I did. Paid him well to do it.”
Katie stopped walking. “You gave him money? To be with me?”
“You’re a stubborn women, Katie.” Jed laughed. “No one would take on that job for free.”
Her heartbeat came to a near halt. She didn’t have any illusions that Pops had convinced him to come with her, but to pay him. Her elatedness from freedom dissolved into disappointment. Slowly she climbed into her parent vehicle, her legs felt almost too heavy to lift. She lay in the backseat, feigning exhaustion, but truthfully she didn’t want to talk to anyone.
But she needed to speak with someone. Jules. She had to stop her before she delivered Katie’s message. As soon as she left her parents, she punched in her friend’s number.
“Katie,” Jules answered excitedly. “I heard. I’m so happy for you.”
“I know, right?” She cradled the phone between her neck and ear as she wheeled her way out of the long graveled road. “I’m excited but I can’t think about that right now. Listen. Don’t bother about giving Jack that message. I’m not too late, am I?”
“Ah yeah, Jack. No, I haven’t spoken to him, yet.” Her voice had an odd pitch.
“Good,” Katie said relieved. She was unsure what her next step would be. This was something she’d have to think over carefully.
“Katie?” Jules almost squeaked from the other end of the line. “He’s here. Jack is here. At the restaurant. And he’s not alone.”
Chapter 22
Katie stormed into Jules restaurant. Never had she gone from elatedness to fear to anger in such a short amount of time. She marched to where Jules stood. Her friend wore a stern scowl, arms folded tight across her middle. She guarded the entrance of the dining area like a vulture keeping watch over deceased prey.
“They’re still here?”
Jules nodded toward the corner. “Look for yourself.”
Katie stopped at the entryway and steadied for what she was about to view. The noon crowd packed the place. She searched the room until she spied them. In an intimate booth, near the rear. Jack and Vanessa appeared to be enjoying a private meal along with a very friendly conversation. Vanessa had apparently said something that made Jack tilt his head and laugh. An unfamiliar sensation crawled inside Katie.
Katie didn’t hesitate to mull over her next move. “Stand back,” she growled.
She stomped through the throngs of tables full of patrons, her focus centered on the couple. Jack faced the front of the restaurant. He leaned in across the table, his attention fixated on Vanessa. A faint smile touched his mouth. His gaze wavered. He straightened, his unreadable stare aimed on an approaching Katie. She paused at the table’s edge and glared at him.
“Well, well whatd’yaknow.” He folded his arms over his chest and relaxed his frame. A cynical smile played at his lips. “Houdini reappears.”
“Katherine. You’re out of jail.” Vanessa’s surprised expression told Katie she was shocked by her sudden arrival, though she quickly regained her smugness. “I’d have thought the police would be fitting you with a shiny, new set of ankle bracelets.”
Katie ignored Vanessa and continued to glower at Jack. Hands rested on her hips, brows raised, she nodded in Vanessa’s direction. “You want to explain?”
“Not really,” Jack replied nonchalantly.
“Your father must have paid a pretty penny to free you,” Vanessa put in with a chuckle.
“Oh he paid all right.” Katie’s voice was dangerously low as her narrow-eyed glare bonded on Jack.
Jack looked uncomfortable, but only for a millisecond. His demeanor swiftly reverted to unmoving. “I needed cash. What can I say?”
“You could say a lot of things,” Katie choked back her disbelief. His disposition had turned so…cold. She was such a fool. “You neglected to disclose that little detail.”
“You also forgot to include a
minute factor,” Jack countered. “Like you went past Hazel’s house the night of the murder?”
“Yes, I did drive by Hazel’s home. But my whereabouts during the actual crime cleared me of any wrongdoing, which I already knew. I didn’t see the need to bring up the point. You, on the other hand...”
“Add it to the list, Katie. I have bills to pay. I won’t apologize for doing what I had to do.”
Vanessa’s eyes brightened. A palm covered her mouth to conceal a shrewd grin. “Am I to understand Katherine’s father rewarded you to go on her little escape adventure,” she laughed. Her hand dropped, making her smile evident. “I’d hoped you had better sense than to run off with a presumed murderer. I’m glad I was right.”
“Vanessa, this doesn’t concern you,” Katie snapped.
“No Katherine,” Vanessa countered in a snide tone. “Jack and I are enjoying a lovely lunch. You’re the one who barged in uninvited. The person this doesn’t concern is you.”
About to retort, Katie froze. Her adversary’s words hit her square in the gut. Vanessa was correct. Jack’s date with Vanessa wasn’t any of her business. Katie and Jack lived for the moment, and now their time was over. Obviously, he’d finished with her and had moved on to someone else. Her stomach whirled, her head spun. She feared she’d pass out if she stayed another here second. Without a word, she took a step backwards then she turned and rushed to the outer vestibule toward the exit.
“Katie” Jules shouted. “Wait.”
Katie halted and rotated to face her friend. “I can’t,” she blinked hard, holding in her rage. “I need to get out of here.” With both arms braced, she shoved the heavy doors, making her way outside into the cool, autumn afternoon.
****
Jack wasn’t hungry when he’d arranged this lunch date. His appetite diminished even more after the encounter with Katie. Although angry, it took every effort to not chase her down and... He didn’t know how he’d be able to maintain his sanity, but somehow he must.
Careful to keep his face neutral, he gazed at Vanessa. “Sorry about the disturbance.”
“I’m not.” Vanessa smiled, running her fingers over a hand he’d laid on the table. “What do you say we take this some place more private? That way we won’t by interrupted by such undesirables.”