Love, Lies & The D.A.

by Rohman, Rebecca

  * * *

  When I wake the following morning, I have almost fifty calls, and it’s just after nine o’clock. That’s more than the total number of missed calls I had after the infamous email went out.

  What’s with the sudden upsurge this morning?

  What’s even stranger is that all the calls are between 8:45 and 9:15.

  I have at least five missed calls from Ian and Solace each. I dial Ian’s number.

  “Jada. Oh God. I’ve been so worried about you.”

  “Why? I told you I’d be leaving town for a while. I’m fine. I’ve gotten over breakups before.”

  “You don’t know, do you?”

  “Know what?”

  Chapter 3

  Jada, Richard was found dead in his townhouse this morning,” Ian whispers.

  I feel the room spinning around me. My heart is in the pit of my stomach, and before I know it, I have to sit. For the second time in a matter of days, I’m dumbfounded.

  “Jada? You still there?”

  “Yes,” I whisper. “How?”

  “I don’t know. It’s all over the news. They’re not saying how he was killed, but they’re implying he was murdered. The police have been here to look for you, and Solace is being questioned right now.”

  As he speaks, I can hear my heartbeat and see a pulse emanating from my chest. I pick up the remote on the bed and switch on the TV. Anxiously, I search for the San Francisco news channel. I have no idea what I should do.

  “Ian. Let me call you back,” I utter, ending the call.

  I hang up then push my brother’s number on speed dial. He answers.

  “Bobby?”

  “What’s wrong, Jada?”

  “Richard’s dead.”

  “What! How?”

  “I don’t know. Apparently, he was found this morning in his townhouse. Ian told me he doesn’t know how he died, but all the news reports imply he was murdered. He said the police are at the office, and they want to speak with me…” I cry, hysterically cry. “Oh my God, Richard’s dead.”

  “Jada… Jada where are you?”

  “Lake Tahoe.”

  “Look, I’m going to make a few phone calls, and I’ll get back to you. Don’t talk to the police unless you have a lawyer present. Do you understand me?”

  “Yes,” I mumble.

  “Jada!” he shouts. “Do you understand me?”

  “Yes. Should I go back to San Francisco?”

  “Absolutely not. Look, I’m going to get on the next flight to you. In the meantime, I’m going to get you a lawyer. If the police call you, have them call me.”

  “Okay.”

  At first, I don’t know what to feel. Then suddenly, I feel the need to scream. The man I loved for over two years, who I was about to marry and who I found cheating on me with my best friend, is now dead. Thursday afternoon, I hated him, and now I feel like a piece of me is gone. I watch the images flash by on the TV screen, and there’s an image of him. Tons of police are outside his townhouse.

  My phone vibrates minutes later. It’s Bobby.

  “Jada. I got you a lawyer. I’ve spoken with him. His name is Charles Kole.”

  “Bobby, his son is the DA in San Francisco. We had dinner together at the neighbor’s house last night. Isn’t that a conflict of interest?”

  “That’s for the prosecutor to decide. Right now, I don’t care about that. He’s the best in San Francisco. You speak to him and him alone about this. I’m hopping on a jet in a while. Hopefully, I’ll be with you by four.”

  “Thanks, Bobby.”

  “Text me the address of where you are.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’m going to text you the number for Charles Kole. As soon as you get off the phone with me, call him.”

  “Sure.”

  “Sit tight. I’m on my way, Sis.”

  I feel confused, nervous, and scared as I call the number Bobby sent me. I tremble violently. I am not sure if I am completely coherent, but I wait for him to answer, and within seconds, he does.

  “Jada. I’ve been expecting your call.”

  “Hi…” I murmur. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

  Tears constantly flow down my face, and I continuously blow my nose.

  “Jada. I can only imagine how you are feeling. I don’t want you to panic. This is an investigation. The police want to speak to you because they are looking for answers.”

  “My COO told me all the news networks are implying he was murdered. They’ve questioned him and my secretary, and he says they’re looking for me. I want to do the right thing. Should I come home?”

  “No. You shouldn’t be driving like this. You’d be putting yourself in danger if you do. Jada, I know this is a very difficult time for you. However, I need you to tell me everything that happened from when you last saw him. Is it okay with you if I record our conversation?”

  “Sure,” I murmur.

  “You should also know that I have a law reporter present making a record of this.”

  “That’s fine…” I murmur.

  “Tell me.”

  “I arrived at my condo maybe about two on Thursday afternoon. I was surprised when I saw Richard’s car there. He told me he’d be in a meeting until six. Anyway, when I got to the penthouse, I thought I heard his voice coming from my office, so I went in, but as I approached the room, I realized I wasn’t hearing voices, it was moaning. When I got to the door, I saw him having sex with my best friend on my desk in my office.” I pause. I need to contain myself. The images of him slipping in and out of her and her calling out his name overpower my mind.

  “Jada, I know this is difficult, but I need to know everything that happened.”

  “I remember details. How much do you want?”

  “All.”

  “He had her slumped over my desk face front, and he was behind her. I could hear every time he retracted and reentered her. I’m not sure how long I was watching before I told them to get the fuck out of my house. They seemed as shocked as I was.

  Koto was wearing red platform heels with a red thong and bra, and she was getting dressed while she walked out. I think she also had on a black skirt and a red shirt.”

  “Did Koto say anything to you?”

  “I remember her crying and saying she was sorry… she said more, but I really didn’t pay attention.

  I think Richard was dressed in a pale blue shirt with a grey jacket and pants. No tie. He also wasn’t wearing a condom. While they were straightening their clothing, I went to the kitchen and called my secretary.”

  “In their presence?”

  “Yes. If I remember correctly, Koto tried to apologize again, and I told both of them if they didn’t leave, I’d have security come up and throw them out. Anyway, I turned my back on them and continued talking to Solace.”

  “Solace is your secretary?”

  “Yes. I dictated an email for her to send out to all our wedding guests, and I told her to use that same email as a press release. In it, I cancelled our wedding. I also told her to make an appointment for me to see my gynecologist early the next day, and to call Netjet and let them know I’d be travelling out of the country the following afternoon. I told her to tell them I’d call them with the destination early the next morning. I asked her to have Ian, my COO, call me. I also told her I’d leave some info with the concierge, and I emailed her the list of things I wanted done. I can forward the email to you.

  When I got off the phone, I realized Richard was still there. He was behind me.

  I can’t remember if it was during the phone call or after I got off the phone, but I remember him telling me we had to talk about things, and I slapped him across his cheek.”

  “Left or right?”

  “Left.”

  “You’re left-handed?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s an important detail. Go on…”

  “I think I slapped him while I was still on the phone with Solace. Then after I got o
ff the phone, I told him again to get out or I’d have security throw him out. I gave the engagement ring and his townhouse keys back to him. When he wouldn’t leave, I took my phone and walked into my bedroom. He started to follow me, but I slammed the door in his face and locked the door. I told him it was over and there was nothing left to discuss. From there, I called security, and minutes later, I think I heard three guards escorting him down. That was the last time I saw him.”

  “Did he touch you at all?”

  “I think he did at some point, but I’m not sure when. I remember screaming at him not to touch me.”

  “Why did you lock your bedroom door? Were you afraid of him?”

  “I don’t think I was afraid. I think it’s because the trust was gone. I had asked him to leave several times and he hadn’t.

  Anyway, after he left, I was trying to think of where I could go. I needed to get away. I remember Googling something about destinations in California, and I decided I’d come here. When I realized it was only three-and-a-half hours away, I decided to leave that night. Then I remembered my doctor’s appointment. I got her on her cell phone, and she told me to come see her immediately. I made it to her pretty quick. I think it was around five, or I left around five. I’m not sure.

  She congratulated me on the wedding and said I must be excited. I told her I was until I found my boyfriend fucking my best friend. I wanted to be tested for every STD under the sun. I remember telling her he wasn’t wearing a condom. She told me I was handling things in a strange way and she thought I should get counseling, but I didn’t. Soon after, I left. By the time I got back to the penthouse, there were already reporters in front of the building.

  When I got back to the house, I packed some things. I also put my wedding dress and accessories in a box in the kitchen, along with some jewelry and gifts Richard had given me. In the email, I told Solace to return them or sell them. I finished packing, took a shower, and called the concierge to pack my luggage in the car. I think it was about eight when I left. On the way, I called Solace and told her to cancel the jet and the doctor’s appointment.”

  “When did you speak to Ian?”

  “I think it was before I went to the doctor… I’m certain it was. When I got to Fairfield, I was upset. I stopped along the roadside. I don’t know how long. At some point, two police troopers came by. They said they’d received numerous reports of a car unmarked and unattended to. They checked my license and registration and told me to be careful on the road. I can’t remember what time that was, but I think it took me about forty-five minutes to get to Sacramento.

  I spent the night at the Hyatt there. I can’t remember the times, but I have receipts. The following morning, I think I left the Hyatt at about nine or ten and got to Lake Tahoe about noon. I’ve been here since.”

  “Do you have people that can verify you’ve been in Lake Tahoe?”

  “Well, I only made some friends yesterday. On Friday, I saw a realtor and did some grocery shopping. On Saturday, I had breakfast at a café, and I took pictures until maybe about 2pm. I told Bobby I was worried this might be a conflict of interest, but he told me that it was for the prosecutor to decide—your son and I had dinner at David’s house last night with Kat and their two friends from Peru. Jonathan dropped me home.”

  “Did he, now?”

  “He may not have anything positive to say about me. I don’t think we like each other too much. We said some pretty mean things to each other. I think the last thing I said to him was that he was an asshole and thanks for the ride home.”

  Charles chuckles at my last comment.

  “Just so we’re clear, the last time you saw Richard was when he was escorted out of your penthouse?”

  “Yes.”

  “Have you had any other communication with him since then?”

  “No. He called, but I did not answer.”

  “Okay. You’ve had a rough few days. I’ll handle the police from over here. You don’t have to come back here. You’re in California. If they want to question you, they can come to you. However, they should only question you in my presence. Right now, the best advice I can give you is to keep your mouth shut. Don’t speak to the police, the press, no one. Tell them to speak to me if they call you. Send me the email you sent to your secretary and your wedding guests and get some rest. If I were you, I wouldn’t pay attention to the news. They almost always get first accounts wrong.”

  “Okay. Thank you. Do you need to talk to Ian and Solace?”

  “Yes. I do”

  “I’ll send them an email telling them to expect you.”

  “I’m sure there might have been details you forgot—that’s normal. Once you remember, please let me know.”

  After handling the emails, I lie in bed and mute the TV volume. Soon, I drift.

  I wake to the sound of the doorbell and my phone vibrating. I leap out of bed and run to the door. Through the glass, I see Bobby. I open the door. He wraps his arms around me. I cry. For the first time since walking in on Koto and Richard, I really let go. He escorts me to the sofa. He holds me in his arms for what seems like hours. After some time, I guess I run out of tears or I cry myself to sleep, but I later wake to the scent of food.

  “Have you eaten today?” he asks.

  “No. I’m not hungry.”

  “You have to eat something. Here,” he says, placing a bowl in front of me. “I made you some soup. Now eat.”

  “Thanks… for everything. Coming all this way… and getting me a lawyer.”

  “We lawyers have a network. It was nothing,” he replies, patting me on my shoulder.

  “How long are you here for?”

  “I have opening arguments for a case on Friday afternoon. I’ll stay as long as you need me till then.”

  “I haven’t called his family. I don’t know where to start or what to say.”

  “You haven’t been in touch with them at all since Thursday?”

  “No.”

  “No emails?”

  “If they sent me one, I haven’t opened it yet. I have many emails I haven’t read. I sent out a blanket email thanking everyone for their support on Friday. I classified emails coming from Richard and Koto as junk. If they sent me anything, I wouldn’t have received it either.”

  “Get me your laptop. Let me see if there is anything from them.”

  I do as he asks.

  “What are their names?”

  “His mother is Sally Preston, and his sister is Linda Preston.”

  “Wow. You do have a lot of emails,” he says. “There is nothing from either of them. Call them to give your condolences. Try to avoid talking about your breakup or Richard. If they push or ask you why you called off the wedding, be honest but use less harsh words, if you know what I mean. Don’t give details either.”

  I always had a good relationship with them, but we weren’t best friends. However, I think it’s something I must do.

  I dial his mother’s number and wait nervously.

  “Hello,” a man answers.

  “Hi, this is Jada calling. May I speak with Sally, please?”

  “One minute, please.”

  She comes to the phone. I can barely make out anything she says.

  “Mrs. Preston. I wanted to tell you how sorry I am.”

  The sound of her tears over the line breaks my heart. “Mrs. Preston, I’ll be thinking about you. I’ll call you another time. Hand the phone to someone nearby.”

  The man returns to the phone. “Hello.”

  “Hi, is Linda there?”

  “She is, but she’s dealing with the police.”

  “Can you please tell her that I called? I’m really sorry about this.”

  “You said your name was Jada?”

  “Yes.”

  I end the call.

  “Did she say anything?” Bobby asks.

  “No. She was crying. She was too upset. I asked for Linda, but I was told she was talking to the police.”

  “Alright. Can I
get you anything else?” Bobby asks.

  “No thanks. Did you look around?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Let me show you. You can pick your room.”

  Hours later, after a bath, I head to the kitchen to make some coffee. Bobby is on his cell phone out on the terrace. I wonder if I need to return to San Francisco. Emotionally, I know I am not ready, but this situation has become so much more than me. As much as I hate this, I want to help the police find out who did this.

  Up until now on the news, there is no confirmation on how he died, or who found him. Nevertheless, some networks have been reporting that he was shot in the back of his head.

  If this is true, I wonder who would want to kill Richard, much less kill him that way. He was executed. I am so confused. Walking in on him and Koto has made me uncertain about everything. Do I even know who he was? Was everything I thought I knew about him a complete lie?

  Who would want the head of one of the largest banks on the West Coast dead? Did he get involved in something and didn’t tell me about it? Everything I thought I knew, I question.

  I wonder if he spoke to Koto, if he confided in her. I wonder if he told her all the things he neglected to tell me. I wonder if she knows who did this. I wonder if she knows why.

  I have all these questions, and I do want to know why. However, a big part of me wants nothing to do with this. It looks too ugly. I am afraid it will take me to a place I didn’t know existed within Richard. I’m afraid that what I find out might make me question my own judgment, and my sanity.

  Then again, maybe all this is all speculation. Perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself. Can’t this be some sort of random crime? Maybe he just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe it’s mistaken identity. As much as I try to convince myself that this is a probability, my instincts tell me that my thoughts are wishful thinking.

  Bobby comes in from the terrace and looks at me. The expression on his face is not good.

  “The news reports were confirmed. He was murdered. Executed.”

  My throat constricts. “Do they know who did this? Do they know why?”

  “No. I just got off the phone with Charles.”