by Renee Miller
“Mrs. Riley?” a male voice, very serious.
She halted in her tracks. “Yes,”
“I’m Sergeant Jacobs. I wonder if you could come to the police station and answer some questions.”
Her mouth went dry. Kristina moved to sit at the table. “What’s this about?”
“We’ll be happy to fill you in when you get here. This is a very urgent matter though, I can send a car to pick you up if you’d like.”
Kristina bit her lip. It had to be about the box. Could she lie to the police? They’d see right through her, wouldn’t they? Isn’t that what they were trained to do? “No, that’s not necessary. Can I ask if I’m in any sort of trouble?”
“Not at this point.”
Not at this point? She closed her eyes to collect her thoughts. This didn’t have to end badly; she just had to figure out how to deal with it. Could she refuse to go down to the police station? No, they’d come get her if it was about the box. That kind of evidence would make them very eager to speak to her. Maybe they thought it was hers. Kristina opened her eyes and gazed at the clear sky outside the window and the green bridge, such a familiar sight she rarely noticed the way it seemed to reach up into the clouds. Birds perched atop, flapping and squawking, each battling for the prime position in the center so they could easily swoop down over the falls to grasp the fish that leapt out of the water below. She felt like the fish, swimming against the current so close to freedom, yet knowing the predators that loomed above could snatch her life away at any moment.
She frowned and cleared her throat. No, she was done waiting for someone to take everything from her. No one had the power to run her life. This had gone on long enough. She was only a victim as long as she allowed it. “Sure I’ll come down. Is an hour okay? I’d like to shower and change and I’ll have to call a cab.”
“Sounds fine, and thank you for your cooperation.”
“Of course, whatever it is, I hope I can help or at least clear things up for you.”
“Yes, me too.” The line went dead.
She walked to the stairs, her mind reeling. One hour to figure out this mess, to decide how to deal with the questions they’d ask. In the bathroom she pulled her shirt over her head, crinkling her nose at the scent of her own sweat. Kristina glanced in the mirror.
The image before her wasn’t startling, but encouraging. For the first time in months, her eyes sparkled with fire, determination. Color blossomed in her cheeks and she stood straighter, shoulders back, chin up. Wade loved her, and she loved him. She didn’t just want him or needed him; she loved him more than anything she’d loved in her life. Cadence meant the world to her and she’d always come first in her heart, but this feeling for Wade was different than a mother’s love for her child, and just as consuming.
Staring in wonder at the way her features had changed, Kristina’s resolve strengthened. Her eyes narrowed and her mouth thinned to a determined line. She wouldn’t just coast along anymore, taking each bump life threw in her road, meekly accepting her fate as though she was powerless.
Kristina turned on the shower and discarded the rest of her clothes as she thought of ways to handle the police. They’d ask her about what was in it but she’d tell them she didn’t know. She’d—her prints! Kristina shuddered, her body chilled despite the steamy warmth of the shower’s spray. What did she actually touch? Could they find fingerprints on cloth? Jesus, she didn’t know about this stuff. Kristina took a breath and tried to still her racing thoughts.
First she had to figure out how they’d gotten the box. Wade said Amy must have taken it. She could tell them the story he’d suggested. That Amy brought it over… but then it was Kristina’s word against Amy’s. Other than Wade, Michelle was the only one who knew Kristina had it. And Michelle had been friends with Amy, though Wade never elaborated. It had to be Amy. But why? Just to be free? She could have walked out any time she wanted. Couldn’t she? The question flipped around her brain as she soaped her hair and leaned into the hot spray. Amy didn’t care about being free. She hated Wade and wanted him to suffer. That’s why she stayed and that’s why she stole the box. She wanted to ruin him.
Well, it wouldn’t happen. Amy would pay for manipulating Kristina and for all she’d done to Wade. She’d love to see Daniel paid as well. Daniel. Kristina turned the tap off and stepped out of the shower, a plan forming in her mind.
***
At the police station, Kristina faced a hive of activity when she walked through the door. People in uniform rushed back and forth while people in ‘regular’ clothes moved faster. She paused to watch the bustle before turning to a window near the door where a uniformed man sat punching at his keyboard, his brow furrowed in concentration.
Reluctant to interrupt him, she stood quietly and hoped he noticed her so she wouldn’t have to.
To Kristina’s relief Sergeant Jacobs spotted her and introduced himself. She didn’t know what she expected but it wasn’t what she found. Jacobs looked close to her age, his face kind and his hand warm when he shook hers. She would have found him attractive, if he wasn’t a police officer who wanted to put her or Wade behind bars.
Jacobs led her to a small room with a table and two chairs. Another officer waited, leaning on the wall opposite, a manila folder tucked under his arm. This one looked older and not so nice. Under the too-bright lights, they appraised her with eyes full of pity. Her hackles rose. They thought she was some stupid girlfriend who had no clue what was happening. Either that or they thought she was desperate and content to take the fall for a man who had used her. They thought wrong.
“I’m glad you could talk to us.” Sergeant Jacobs smiled.
“I bet,” she mumbled.
“I know this is scary. I’m sorry I couldn’t give you more information, but this is a very sensitive matter. I couldn’t share anything that may skew what you’re able to tell us. We’re not against you. We want to help.”
“I don’t know what kind of help you think I need, but yes, I’m scared. I don’t usually get called in for questioning. I don’t get called in at all.”
“Of course, and it’s not what you think. Right now, we just want to talk.”
Sergeant Jacobs looked to his partner who sat in the chair opposite Kristina, rubbing his temple as though thinking about something that pained him.
He cleared his throat and picked up the folder that now sat on the table between them. Opening it, he perused its contents before training cold eyes on hers. “We’ve been given of a box containing some rather alarming things. This box has enough evidence to put its owner in prison for a very long time.” He paused, a trick used to allow the information to sink in.
Kristina widened her eyes.
“The problem we have, and the issue we need you to clear up, is how the box came to be at your house. Care to explain?”
Fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, Kristina looked at both officers, hoping her face appeared sufficiently puzzled and confused. She didn’t have to feign fear; she was terrified. Worried she couldn’t pull off the charade and forced to turn Wade over.
“I’m not sure.” She frowned and ran a trembling hand through her hair, choosing her words with care. “I have a lot of boxes at my house. Jeeze, the basement is a nightmare.”
The officers exchanged a glance.
Kristina wondered who would be good cop and who would be bad cop, so far they’d both played it pretty evenly. Did they do that in real life? If they did, she thought the older one would make the better bad cop. His stare was unnerving.
He didn’t disappoint her.
He stood abruptly, a frown on his face. “You know what box we’re talking about. I’m not fooled by this little act you’re giving us. The box you had in your basement, marked as Christmas decorations. The one you hid for Wade Bowen and the one you’ll go to jail for if you don’t tell me the truth. The box that will cause you to lose your daughter.”
Heat filled her cheeks. Kristina took a shaky breath. To think,
she worried about how she’d act terrified. Her nerves frayed as she weighed her reply and forced her hands to be still in her lap, although the urge to fidget was strong. Taking a deep breath, she looked bad cop in the eye.
“Wade? I barely know him, and I certainly wouldn’t hide anything for him.” The lie rolled off her tongue easily enough but both men looked doubtful.
Not yet. Wait a little longer.
“You work for him, don’t you?” Sergeant Jacobs asked.
“Yes, but we aren’t close or anything. He’s friends with my dad, but even Dad hasn’t really talked to him in a while.” She shrugged, her mind working furiously to ready her bomb.
Bad cop sat back and glanced at the file.
Kristina imagined he was working out a way to trap her, to get her to say something that would make her look guilty. That was Daniel’s favorite trick, and then he could turn everything around on her. But she’d learned, boy she’d learned. Her belly fluttered. Yes. Finally, Daniel could do something useful. Payback time. Staring at Bad Cop, she took another breath and folded her hands on the table in front of her.
He leaned forward, a smirk playing on his lips. He thought he had her.
She would disappoint him. “Okay, I need you to promise if I tell you what I know, you can protect me. I was afraid, and that’s the only reason I didn’t come to you a long time ago. I’m still afraid. He’s done such awful things to me. If he knows I told…”
“Of course we’ll protect you,” Sergeant Jacobs took the chair next to his partner and sat down. Both men were all ears.
Kristina bit her lip to stop a grin. “Daniel left a box of his stuff downstairs and he told me not to touch it.”
Their faces paled.
Not the answer you expected?
Kristina lowered her voice. “It was marked Christmas, but I don’t think there’s anything to do with Christmas in there.”
CHAPTER 26
Silence filled the little room but for the hum from the bright fluorescent light hanging over the metal table.
Kristina looked away as they collected their thoughts.
Sergeant Jacobs did a better job of hiding his shock, but Bad Cop stared at her open-mouthed. They exchanged glances and then back at her.
Kristina offered a nervous smile. Again, she didn’t have to act, scared they’d smell the lie. Now that she’d made the leap, she wouldn’t be tipped over by guilt. Daniel deserved the grave she was about to dig for him.
Sergeant Jacobs pulled a little notebook from his shirt pocket and clicked his pen. “You know what’s in it? Did you look inside?”
“Sort of. I mean— I opened it and shifted things around a little. Underneath a bunch of stuff wrapped in dirty old cloths, there was an old knife. I thought it was weird and got a little scared to be honest. I put everything back and closed the box right away. It’s his stuff. I told him to come get it after that. I guess I’m probably guilty of something. I mean, I went through the box and I should have told someone what I saw. I’m not stupid. I know it means something bad. God, I’ve been so scared.” Kristina paused.
A skeptical look passed between them. They didn’t believe her.
Sergeant Jacob’s face reddened and frowned. “So, you don’t have a relationship with Wade Bowen? Is that what you’re saying?”
“No, I don’t have a relationship, not beyond friendship and that’s pretty casual.”
“I’m sorry, forgive my bluntness.” Sergeant Jacobs rubbed his chin, as though uncomfortable with what he was about to ask. “Are you and Wade Bowen not lovers? This is the information we’ve received from more than one source. Reliable sources.”
Blushing, she looked away. Shit. She’d weighed her lying; figuring a bit of the truth would satisfy them. If their source had evidence, her deposition would amount to nothing. “I’m—shit, I’m so embarrassed. A while ago, when he and Amy were having problems, we did sleep together. It was just a couple of times. They worked out their issues and he went back to her. I felt so awful about it. I don’t do things like that normally. I kind of hoped no one had to know about it.”
Bad Cop snorted. “You call that barely knowing someone?”
“Sorry, I guess I’m confusing things more. We really don’t talk a lot and those times we were… intimate, I was pretty drunk and messed up. I’d just left Daniel and he was still coming to the house and threatening me. I just gave in to the stress I suppose. I’m not proud of what I did, and I’m sorry I lied to you about it. I just—it’s not a shining moment in my life. I wanted to forget about it. Wade and I haven’t spoken for a while. I took a leave of absence from work because it’s gotten rather uncomfortable. Amy found out and I felt so guilty. I found out she and Daniel had been messing around, I don’t think it was more than a few times, but I know they still talk. I was so confused then. I hate that I did it, but I did. She said a lot of mean things, and I understand she was hurt. Mostly I worried because she promised to make my life hell. I just thought it would be best to stay away from both of them. Wade and Amy. God, this sounds like some awful soap opera, doesn’t it?” Kristina wiped an imaginary tear from her eye and bit her lip.
Sergeant Jacobs smiled and his eyes softened. He leaned over to his partner and whispered something in his ear. Bad Cop shrugged, and then nodded. They compared their notes.
Kristina relaxed, slumping into the uncomfortable chair. They’d bought it. She waited for the rest of their questions, trying to remain calm. Now that they swallowed the bait, she wanted to run. She didn’t want to risk stumbling and losing her advantage.
“You understand how we might be a little skeptical knowing you lied about this relationship. But I do get why you hesitated.”
Kristina nodded.
Bad Cop continued. “I need honesty here. Understand? You lie to us now and it will come back to haunt you. Everything comes out in the wash one way or another. None of the information you give us is going to be broadcasted anywhere. We are investigating some very serious crimes and I’m sure you want to see justice served.”
Indeed, she did. And justice would definitely be served. To Daniel. “I’m sorry. I was too embarrassed to tell you about me and Wade. I don’t want to obstruct justice or whatever it’s called. Please, ask me anything and I’ll answer the best I can.”
Sergeant Jacobs stood and walked around the table. “Tell us about your ex-husband. What was your relationship like?”
This is an easy one. “Oh, well I suppose you’d have the police reports. Daniel was very abusive, that’s why I filed for divorce. I was afraid for my life at the end.”
“And now?” Jacobs asked.
“Now? I’m still afraid of him. He’s hurt me a few times and he’s done things, terrible things. He raped me, but I can’t prove it because I didn’t report it. He said he’d kill me if I told anyone. I—I saw the knife and… he’s a scary person. I didn’t even think about why he had it there. I didn’t want to. I try to keep him happy. Then he has no reason to hurt me. So when he told me to keep the box I didn’t question it. I did wonder why he didn’t just take it with him. I mean, he took everything else that wasn’t nailed down. I noticed it was gone and I assumed he came and got it while I was away. To be honest, I was glad to see it gone.”
They made notes. Bad Cop looked up and raised an eyebrow. “Anything else? What about his job? Friends?”
“Oh, I don’t know much about that. Daniel was always very secretive and it’s not like I could ask anything. I mentioned one of his friends once. I think I said the guy made me nervous and he sprained my arm when he wrenched it behind my back. He told me to mind my own business and I did.” She shrugged and took a shaky breath. “He’s engaged to someone else now. I suspected he was seeing her during our marriage. I found out he had rented her an apartment. I can give you her work number if you want to talk to her. I don’t think she’ll be willing to talk to you anywhere else but here. She’s pretty timid and does whatever he tells her to do. I think he hits her too.”
> Bad Cop chewed his pen and stared.
She’d been honest for much of the discussion about her marriage. She didn’t have to paint Daniel as a bad person. He really was.
They continued to pepper her with questions, often repeating them more than once; when did Daniel leave the box and what exactly did he tell her about it? Kristina kept her answers vague. She knew she was terrible at lying and didn’t want to have to remember too many details.
Her stomach rolled. A faint twinge of guilt tugged at the edges of her mind but then thought of Wade. She imagined him smiling down at her, moonlight streaming through the bedroom window illuminating his crooked smile and the dimple in his cheek. Her guilt disappeared. She felt his breath on her neck as though he were behind her right then, whispering into her ear, promising forever. Kristina sat straighter in the chair. She’d do anything for that promise.
CHAPTER 27
Something was wrong. He’d drawn the curtains to block out the brightness of the full moon and the bedroom was still shrouded in darkness, but something was amiss. Slowly Wade sat up, his gaze moving to the empty pillow next to his. Amy had got up at some point and he hadn’t heard her. Not unusual, but given recent events he cursed himself for falling into such a deep sleep.
He lay back against the pillow and stared up at the ceiling. A shuffling noise drifted up from the rooms below. She must have gone downstairs. Maybe she planned to go see Carl. Then another noise brought him suddenly alert again. A heavy tread on the stairs. A pause. Wade sighed. It was time.
The bedroom door swung open. Two police officers, in vests and helmets, charged through with their guns drawn. Wade smiled and sat up, carefully arranging the blankets around his waist before folding both arms behind his head.
The officers exchanged glances.
Wade suppressed a chuckle. “Let me guess, you have a warrant and you are now searching my house. Is this a social visit? It makes my heart all fluttery knowing you guys missed me so much you had to break in. You’re so sweet.”