by Jenn Cowan
My eyes take a minute to adjust. It’s darker in the “pit”.
Travis is sitting on the left concrete bench with his head in his hands. He looks up when I enter. His eyes are bloodshot, his hair’s a mess and his suit looks like it’s been sitting in the hamper for a week. “Autumn? What are you doing here?”
14
The captain claps me on the back. “Miss Fisher needs some time to cool off after a little incident out front.” He unlocks the Cat’s cell.
Cat stirs slightly, but doesn’t wake-up. She’s in a ball on one of the benches with a blanket up to her chin. Soft snores escape from her lips.
I smile and fight the urge to brush her hair from her face. I sit down on the end of her bench and watch her sleep.
“Need anything?” the Captain asks us. When we both shake our heads, he nods and leaves.
“Autumn, what happened?” Travis whispers, standing and leaning against the bars.
I sigh and stand too. I don’t want to risk waking up Cat by talking too loud. “I ran into Allison. She accused me of turning you against her.”
He scoffs. “She did that herself. I can’t believe she thinks Cat would hurt anyone.”
“I know!”
Travis smiles at me. “Thanks.”
I return the smile. “For what?”
“For believing in Cat. For being there for her this year. Giving her a job. Being her friend. Her mo-,” he coughs to cover-up his mishap.
“I could never be her mom. I’m just happy to be a part of her life.”
“You’re more of a mom to Cat than April ever was.”
I frown. “That can’t be true.”
Travis rakes a hand through his hair. “Unfortunately, it is. April and I were young when we had Cat. Too young.”
I flinch at the memory and my heart pings slightly remembering his betrayal. At least it doesn’t hurt as much as it did a year ago. We’ve come a long way this past year and loving Josh has helped me heal. For that, I’m grateful. It’s allowed me to love Cat and forgive Travis, but it still stings a little bit.
Travis continues, “I went off to the police academy and April moaned and groaned about having to stay in this godforsaken town and raise a baby. For years, I think she resented Cat. April never got to pursue her dream of becoming an actress or a model. I think she took her frustrations out on Cat.”
My eyes widen.
“Not like that, Autumn. April never abused Cat. If she had, I would have taken her out myself.”
I blink because I’m too stunned to do anything else. I’ve never thought of Travis as someone who could hurt anyone, let alone kill someone. His job is to serve and protect. Although, I was about ready to shove Allison’s face in the snow for simply accusing Cat of attempted murder, if she actually hurt Cat, who knows what I would have done and Cat’s not even my daughter.
Travis smirks. “I know what you’re thinking. I’d do anything to protect Cat,” he sighs then mumbles, “even commit murder.” He sighs again. “It’s probably good the captain locked me up in here. I was spiraling and on a mission to clear Cat’s name. I probably would have taken out those gossip gals in the Crafty Crew if I heard a peep about them spreading lies about Cat.”
A vision of Travis chasing down the Crafty Crew and them beating him off with their purses flashes through my mind. I giggle then slap a hand over my mouth.
Cat stirs behind me, but simply turns over and faces the wall.
“So, what did Allison say?”
“That you called off your engagement. Is it true?”
He nods. “I called her when I got back to the station. I was trying to get her to bring Cat some things from the house. She kept going on and on about Cat being guilty and how to figure out a way to get the judge to send her to one of those rehabilitation places for troubled teens.”
I gasp. “Cat’s not a troubled teen.”
“I know, but Brooklyn’s somehow brainwashed Allison into believing she is.”
“Hmm.”
Travis continues, “We argued and I told her if she didn’t think my daughter was innocent then there was no reason for us to get married.”
I nod. “Why did you propose? I mean I know I kind of blurted out that you were planning to, but I was afraid she was going to break up with you. Not to mention the spa is not a very romantic place to propose.”
He cocks his head. “Why are you asking me this?”
“Because you don’t seem very in love with Allison and you looked like it physically hurt you to get down on your knee and propose.”
“Well I have bad knees.”
I roll my eyes. “You know what I mean. You’re not in love with Allison. Why marry her?”
He runs a hand through his hair. “Cat needs a mom, maybe a sibling. I’ve been single since senior year in high school, Autumn.” He pins me with a look that says I was his last girlfriend then continues, “I’ve dated a few women over the years, but never anyone seriously, it’s time to settle down.”
“But don’t you want to do that with someone you love?”
Travis locks eyes with me. “Yes, but she’s not available or in love with me.”
I feel the heat creep up my cheeks. My heart flutters slightly at his confession, but it makes me feel guilty because it belongs to Josh. Travis no longer holds the key. “Well you shouldn’t settle,” I choke out, my voice cracking slightly.
He shrugs. “Allison and I get along well enough and Cat seems to like her. It made sense.”
I snort.
“What?”
“You think Cat likes Allison?”
He furrows his brow. “Well, yes. I asked her. She told me she thought Allison was nice.”
I roll my eyes. “Cat’s telling you what you want to hear. She’s not going to tell you she hates your girlfriend.”
Silence fills the space as I give Travis time to process my words.
I think about the case and start flipping through suspects. There’s Jana’s two sidekicks, Brittney and Lydia. Maybe one or both of them were tired of playing second fiddle. Then there has to be a long list of people Jana’s tortured. I’ll have to wait until Cat wakes up to get their names.
“Do you know anything about Cat being bullied?” Travis asks, interrupting my thoughts.
I whip my head around and stammer out, “Wh-what do you mean?”
“Flaming dog poop on my front porch. Tomatoes being thrown at my daughter while she’s giving a speech. Spilled soda and ruined flowers. Oh, and then there’s a skunk spraying my daughter and her boss late at night.” He crosses his arms and leans against the bars then gives me a look that says he’s onto me. “I’m a detective, Autumn. I know the signs. I even have the guys in IT checking into her phone and text records.”
I chew on my lip. “You need to ask Cat about it.”
He glares at me. “I’ve tried. She won’t talk to me.” He runs a hand through his hair then sends me a pleading look. “Autumn, please. You need to tell me what’s going on. I’m tired of being left in the dark.”
I sigh and hiss, “Fine, but for the record you didn’t hear it from me.”
He rolls his eyes. “Okay. My source is anonymous.”
I glance behind me to ensure Cat’s still sleeping. Her shoulders are rising and falling in a steady rhythm. “Yes, Jana, Brittney and Lydia have been bullying Cat since the summer. They’re why she quit dancing.”
His eyes narrow. “Bullying her how?”
“Mean texts, name calling, trying to intimidate her, threats, the flaming dog poop on your porch, the tomatoes, spilled soda, ruining her flowers, stealing her cell phone and the skunk in my car. Even Brooklyn is a part of it, soaking her with mud puddles when she was walking home one day.”
Travis’s fists ball at his sides and his face turns red. “Why didn’t she tell me? I would have put a stop to it months ago.”
“Really? How?” I cross my arms and smirk.
“Arrest them. Make them sit in jail. Teach them a less
on.”
I quirk an eyebrow. “Is that even legal?”
He shrugs. “I don’t care. No one’s going to mess with my little girl.” He takes a deep breath and stares at Cat’s back for a moment then whispers, “Why were they torturing her?”
“Partly Liam”
Travis growls and his eyes darken.
I hold up a hand to calm him. “And partly Brooklyn wanting to take April’s place ie: Jana needed to take Cat’s place. No one liked Jana so I’m guessing if Cat was friends with Jana then people would begin to accept her.”
“Only Cat doesn’t like Jana.”
I nod.
“So, they feel rejected and lash out.”
“Bingo.”
Travis runs a hand over his jaw. “High school drama is the worst. It was bad enough when we were in school, now it’s ten times worse with social media and cell phones.” He pauses for a moment then continues, “I’m assuming the numbers sending the texts were from blocked numbers?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe we can trace them.”
“Travis, you know how this works. Burner phones that end up in trash cans. Brooklyn’s smart. She’s going to cover her tracks and she’s out there turning everyone against Cat including Allison.”
Travis scoffs. “No one is going to believe her.”
“Did you think Allison would?”
He frowns. “No.”
“I don’t think we should underestimate Brooklyn and her manipulating abilities.” I stifle a yawn. “We need to make a list of suspects.”
Travis nods, but says, “Tomorrow. It’s late. Let’s get some shut eye.”
I open my mouth to protest, but another yawn escapes. My body suddenly feels heavy and I stumble over to the bench.
“You alright?”
“My body’s shutting down. It’s been a long day.”
He shoots me a sad smile. “I’m sorry this all ruined Josh’s funeral. You okay?”
Hearing Josh’s name and funeral in the same sentence has me blinking back tears again and my throat grows tight. “No,” I choke out.
Travis frowns and rattles the bars in frustration. “I’m sorry, Autumn. I wish I could hold you right now.” He sighs, giving up on opening the cell door then says, “Josh was a great guy. I would do anything to bring him back to you.”
I give him a small smile and wipe my eyes. “Thanks.”
He returns it then says, “Good night, Autumn.”
I curl up on the bench next to Cat and pull the blanket over myself. My eyes fall shut as I mumble, “Night, Trav.”
“Huh.”
I blink them open. “Huh, what?”
“You haven’t called me Trav since high school.” He’s still leaning against the bars, staring at me with his green eyes twinkling underneath the fluorescent light.
I feel my face grow hot again. What’s wrong with me? I shrug and mutter, “Old habit. Too tired.”
Travis smirks. “Night, Auttie.
I smile at my high school nickname then fall asleep for what feels like only a few minutes before I’m jolted awake by screaming.
15
“I didn’t do it. I didn’t stab her,” Cat sobs, into her hands.
My heart’s hammering at what feels like ninety miles an hour. Her sobs echo throughout the jail.
Travis is on his feet, jiggling the bars as if they’ll move so he can get to her. “Cat, honey. I’m here. Shh. We know you didn’t.”
Cat blinks and squints up at him. “Dad?” She glances around the jail with confusion then it dawns on her and she breaks down again.
I finally get my bearings. I must have been sleeping soundly because I feel kind of disoriented, but I’m snapping out of it. I scoot over next to her and wrap my arm around her shoulder.
She lifts her head and when she sees me, throws her arms around my neck. “Oh, Autumn. You were right, I should have said something to my dad before things got out of hand.”
I stroke her hair and try to calm her. I glance over at Travis and the look on his face unnerves me. His eyes are a mix of anger, confusion and love. A smile plays on his lips. I turn away and ignore the mixed feelings brewing inside me. Why is he looking at me like that? Cat’s sobs finally turn to whimpers and she lifts her head.
“Why are you in here? Did something happen?” Her eyebrows pull together and her eyes fill with worry.
“Nothing major. Just a little spat with Allison. My dad pulled a few strings. I didn’t want you to wake-up in here by yourself on Christmas morning.”
Cat squeezes me a little tighter then groans. “Christmas. I totally forgot. Autumn, you have to go home. Your parents are here. They’re going to want to celebrate with you and Josh’s parents, they need you.”
I squeeze her shoulder. “My parents understand me wanting to be with you. We can celebrate another day, when you’re out of here and then you, your dad and Regina can join us.” I give her shoulder another squeeze. “As for Josh’s parents… I’m not sure they want to see me right now.”
She frowns. “Why not?” Her eyes dart over to her dad with suspicion then settle on me.
“Abby’s upset as she should be. I think she just needs some time. Hopefully, she’ll come around.” I sigh, thinking back to Abby’s words. Guilt settles in my gut as I think about Josh and how he was going to ask me to marry him years ago. How could I have not known? What’s wrong with me? He’s the best guy ever and I kept him in the friend zone for far too long.
“Autumn?”
“Hmm.” I blink and snap out of my thoughts.
“I think I know who attacked Jana.”
Travis clears his throat. “Who?”
We jump, forgetting he was still in the room. Cat and I are used to it just being us.
“Um…” Cat pauses and shoots me a pleading look.
“He knows.”
Her eyes grow wide.
“Don’t be mad. It was time to tell him.”
She sighs and shakes her head. “I’m not mad. You’re right, we should have told him sooner.” Cat shoots her dad a shy grin as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Sorry, Dad. I just didn’t want you to worry. You were already worrying about me so much because of Mom and the holidays.”
Travis hangs his head like he’s been scolded by his mother. “No, I’m sorry, Cat. I’ve been smothering you. I hate it that you felt you couldn’t come to me with this. It’s my job to take care of you. To worry about you. I don’t want you to ever feel like you can’t talk to me about anything. Even girly stuff.”
Cat blushes. “Thanks, Dad, but I think I’ll keep the girly stuff between me and Autumn.”
Travis runs a hand over his scruff. “Aunt Regina’s here for you too, sweetie.”
“And Allison, right,” Cat grumbles.
“No.”
Cat’s head pops up and she frowns. “No?”
“No. Allison and I aren’t getting married.”
“Wh-what Why not?” Cat glances at me with hopeful eyes.
I shake my head.
“Allison made it clear where her priorities lie.”
“And they’re not with us?” Cat picks at her nail polish.
Travis nods.
“I’m sorry, Dad. This is all my fault.”
Travis clenches his jaw. “It’s not your fault Allison is choosing sides and it’s the wrong one.”
Cat sighs. “Is the whole town against me too?”
“No,” I answer before Travis can. To be honest, I have no clue, but I don’t want Cat worrying about anything, but figuring out who attacked Jana. “Now, you said you think you know who hurt Jana. Who?”
“Well I have a few suspects.”
Travis and I stare at her expectantly.
She takes a deep breath. “Not her friends.”
I exchange a glance with Travis. “How do you know?”
“I saw them when I left the church. They were sitting with their parents. Whoever hurt Jana did so moments before I got there. Br
ittney and Lydia didn’t get up when I left and even if they did, they wouldn’t have beat me to the spa.”
I nod. Shoot. There goes two of my suspects. Nothing like a funeral with the whole town present to alibi you. “Who then?”
Cat wipes her palms on her skirt. “Liam.”
“Liam? Really? Why?”
“Jana was threatening to expose a secret of his.”
“What secret?”
Cat shrugs. “I don’t know, but I overheard them arguing outside the library the day he broke up with her. She threatened to reveal his secret if he didn’t change his mind about them. My guess is after last night at Pete’s, she was livid he brought me flowers. I can only imagine what she was texting/threatening him with.” Cat shivers.
I grab the blanket and wrap it around her shoulders.
She smiles up at me. “Thanks, Autumn. I’m glad you’re here.” She rests her head on my shoulder.
I pull the blanket tighter around her shoulders. The drafty corner is no joke and with the chilly temperatures, the cell is like a morgue. “Is there anyone else?”
“Vivian Gentges and Lindsay Court.”
“What did Jana do to them?”
“Blackmail. They’re both really smart. Jana was blackmailing Vivian into doing her homework in order to keep a story about Vivian at a party a secret. I wasn’t at the party, but I guess Vivian had too much to drink and there’s a video. It must be bad if Vivian is willing to risk losing her college scholarships to help Jana cheat. I saw Vivian crying in the bathroom last week. She tried to brush it off as her ‘time of the month’, but I think it had to do with Jana.”
“And Lindsay?”
“Lindsay is a tech genius. Jana has something on her, but I’m not sure what. From what I’ve heard Lindsay hacks into the school computer systems and changes the answers to tests and quizzes so Jana gets an A every time.”
Travis scoffs and rolls his eyes. “The joys of going digital. Making cheating so much easier.”
Cat nods. “Jana is ruthless. She probably taunted those two more than anyone. My guess is it’s either Liam or those two.”