by Tia Siren
“No,” he said, closing his eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m just going crazy here. I can’t go anywhere. I can’t talk to anyone. I feel like I’m in my own prison.”
“I understand that, Edward, but you have to trust me. Let me do my job.”
“Would it be a problem if I went back to Brighton until my court date?”
“It would be a big problem. I need you to stay put.”
“Damn it!” Edward wanted to slam his phone into the wall.
“I understand your frustration. Listen, I know it has only been a few days, but I almost have enough evidence to prove this was a murder/suicide.”
“You do.”
“Yes, and if I can get the rest of it without you trying to be the hero, I should be able to get you a court date by the end of this week.”
“Seems awfully fast.”
“Gracie messed up in a lot of areas.”
“Okay, but how are you going to get me into the courts so fast?”
“I have connections. Sit tight. I’ll have you cleared in no time. Just stop trying to solve the case by yourself. You got me?”
“Okay! Fine.”
“That includes Eva.”
“You know about that?”
“You pay me very well. I might as well be Jesus Christ himself looking down on you from the great heavens above.”
“I need to find her, Bernard. This not knowing is messing with my head.”
“We will find her. I have someone on it as we speak.”
Edward took a big breath. “Okay. Thank you.”
“Let me do what you are paying me to do. Capiche?”
“Capiche.”
“I’ll be in touch.”
Edward spent the next couple of days browsing the internet, researching prior cases related to his, learning about the process and getting familiar with what he could expect during and after his court date. By Tuesday afternoon his phone finally rang.
“I’ve got you a court date.”
“Yesss,” he whispered. “When?”
“Monday morning.”
“And you have enough to clear me?”
“More than enough. This is as textbook as it comes. Meet me at the courthouse ten am Monday morning. I’ll text you the address. Come dressed to impress.”
“You got it. See you then.”
The process went fairly quickly, running almost like a step by step process. Bernard lay the evidence on the line and did an amazing job showing how nothing fit into place.
“If you will notice, your honor, the evidence displayed that has been found on the scene, attempts to show intent that Edward Caldwell killed Gracie and John Honor. However, you can plainly see it was roughed together and makes no sense at all. My client did hold the gun that shot and killed the victims, but when it was in his possession it was empty. He attempted to use it for defense against John Honor and when he found the gun to be empty he used whatever means necessary to ward John off from him, hence the striking of his palm in John Honor’s face resulting in unconsciousness. Due to the violent attempts of Gracie Honor toward my client, he then attempted to leave before any more damage was done, but not before he was sure Gracie Honor put a call into emergency personnel. The records show she never made that call, even though my client waited in the doorway until he heard her cries of help into her phone. My belief is that Gracie never intended on calling for help.”
Bernard looked at Edward then back at the judges. His hesitation was genius. Edward studied their faces and he saw genuine sympathy in their eyes. He felt he had a chance.
“Your honor, Gracie had a pattern of irrational and wild behavior in regards to sex and what she deemed as romantic relationships, whether they were just acquaintances or friends or even the occasional date. In her mind, she honestly believed the men in her life were in love with her. Evidence has also shown that with Gracie Honor’s prior attempted convictions being continuously overturned and her connection with those who had that power to convict her, it is clear she was a manipulator and a murderess, and this time she became a victim as well; a victim of her own troubled mind.
“Past evidence shows that she conspired with her brother on the murder of Professor Gains. Even though the courts had the evidence to convict her brother, it was thrown out due to manipulation on Gracie’s part toward those responsible in convicting her. She manipulated her brother, John Honor, into attacking my client in September of this past year and threatening him. She also has been involved with several department heads at the university for her own personal gain, both sexually and monetary.
“Lastly, the gun that killed Gracie and her brother John was indeed the very gun Edward Caldwell held in his hands, however, these two people were not killed until Edward had left the premises and Gracie loaded that gun herself. She put two bullets into the chamber. The first one she killed her brother with and the second one she took herself. The gun wound that killed her entered her chest cavity at an angle that only she, herself, could have held the gun at.” Bernard demonstrated by holding his finger toward his own chest at the possible angle a person would hold a gun toward themselves at.
“If this case goes to trial, there will be plenty of evidence and witnesses showing Gracie’s irrational behavior and her troubled mind that led up to her demise. The evidence found on the scene trying to point the finger at my client is fictitious in every way possible. I hope that you look at the evidence presented to you and you see that there is no way that my client could have conducted such a heinous crime. I would like to ask that all charges be dismissed and my client be free to go.”
“Thank you,” said the Judge nodding toward Bernard. “We will reconvene after lunch at twelve thirty so that we may have the time to go over this evidence.”
Edward heard the gavel slam down on the bench, the sound echoing in his head. His fate was now left up to four men who didn’t know anything about him. He had to keep his hope that his lawyer had the proof he said he had.
“You hungry? Want to grab some lunch?” Bernard stood next to him as he gathered his papers together.
“I don’t think I could eat a thing, but I will join you.”
He followed Bernard out of the court room with a thick and dull pain in his stomach.
Chapter 41
Edward managed to eat a little bit but it sat in his stomach like a rock. He waited patiently while Bernard finished his lunch. He wanted to ask questions. He wanted to know what the judges thought. The time finally came and he followed Bernard out of the cafeteria and back into the court room. He sat next to him as the judges re-entered. He felt like everything around him was a dream and he was only watching it all from the outside. He heard them talking. He knew what they were saying, but their words sounded far away.
“Mr. Caldwell, Mr. Keys,” the judge nodded. “My colleagues and I have reviewed everything you had presented as well as all prior evidence, arrests and convictions for Mr. Caldwell, Gracie Honor and John Honor. Given the evidence presented by Mr. Bernard Keys and the prior records on file, it looks as though Mr. Caldwell’s arrest was prematurely played out. I believe Mr. Caldwell’s only conviction was in getting involved with Miss Honor. I do not believe he had anything to do with the death of Gracie Honor or John Honor. I also do not believe that there will be a conviction at this time.”
The judge slammed his gavel down once more and just like that, Edward was freed of all charges. He took a big breath and hugged Bernard tightly.
“Thank you,” he said whole-heartedly. “I don’t know how to thank you enough.”
“Let’s revisit that after you get my bill, shall we?” Bernard slapped Edward on the back as they left the court room. He nodded toward the judge when eye contact was made.
“Did you call in another favor?” Edward asked, catching the connection.
“No, Edward. I did my job. You were innocent and she was very bad at planting evidence. End of story. Any good lawyer would have seen the same things.”
“Well, just let me know what I o
we you and I’ll be more than happy to write the check.” He hugged him again before getting into his car and driving off.
His flat seemed lonely when he got back. His life felt empty. He needed to gather up the pieces and put it back together again. His first piece was to find Eva and get her back into his life again, before it was too late, unless it already was.
He picked up his phone to call her, but set it back down knowing she wouldn’t take his call. He needed to be smart about this so he drove to the university and grabbed some food at the café where they often had lunch together. He kept his eyes peeled for someone he knew, with a half a hope that she would walk by at the most opportune time. Unfortunately, the only thing he got were looks from others who learned about his most recent demise in the school papers.
“Mr. Caldwell.”
Edward looked over and saw Andy walking toward him.
Ah, yes. The boy who thought he could get Eva into bed.
The thought made Edward chuckle to himself. Take a man like Gerald with the same intentions and it lights a fire inside him, but with a punk like Andy, it all seemed quite funny.
“Andy. How are you?”
“I heard you got fired, killed a couple of people and lost your apartment. Way to spiral down the tubes with a vengeance.”
“It’s funny how rumors change the outlook of yourself in others’ eyes.”
“So, you are saying none of it is true?”
“Not one bit.”
“Why aren’t you in class then? Why were you arrested? Why is Gracie Honor and her brother dead?”
Andy didn’t attempt to keep his voice to a two-person conversation and the looks they were getting made Edward want to finish with Andy quickly.
“First of all,” he said as he looked around the café. “I resigned my position. I am going back to my previous career. Secondly, the charges I was arrested on were immediately dropped when they reviewed the bogus evidence against me, and thirdly, I never lost my flat.”
“Well, that’s not what I heard,” Andy chuckled.
Edward walked up to Andy’s side and put his arm around him.
“Maybe you should stop listening to stories that other people conjure up and stick to the facts. You know, like the fact that you’ll never get Eva into the sack, no matter how hard you try?” He slapped the boy on his back and nodded. “Have a wonderful day.”
Edward noted the time and walked toward the history building. Eva’s class had just started and because he was running out of options, he decided to do whatever he could to get her attention. He remembered where the classroom was from a previous meeting with her and as soon as he found it again he walked in the lecture hall without hesitation. It was much larger than he had anticipated since he only previously looked in the window. Standing in front of the class, the door only caused a few of the students to look up from their work.
“Excuse me.” He held his head up and looked from student to student. “I am looking for Eva Brooks?”
At this time, all of the students had their eyes on him before looking around the room for her. Edward studied each face until a voice in the back interrupted him.
“She isn’t here,” said the girl. “She hasn’t been in class for about a week now.”
“Any idea where she is?”
The girl shook her head.
“Anyone?”
When he didn’t get an answer, he looked at the professor conducting the class.
“When a student leaves for a sabbatical isn’t it customary that the professor become aware of such an event? I’m sure students don’t decide to take it upon themselves to leave without some sort of prior notice.”
“I’m sorry, sir. Who are you?” The professor asked curiously.
He hesitated before answering. He obviously couldn’t get any answers by admitting he was her boyfriend. “I’m her advisor. I need to speak with her before she leaves.”
“You are right. It is customary that the student sign up for such a leave so that all who are involved are informed. Unfortunately, this did not happen in this case. I have no paperwork showing she left on sabbatical. I’m sorry.”
This put a dull ache into Edward’s stomach. If she didn’t go to Morocco for her thesis, then…. Edward felt the air quality grow thin.
“Thank you,” he heard himself say. He swung the door open and left quickly. His mind spun out of control for a few moments like a parent losing their small child in a crowded mall and not knowing which direction to run to first. He ran out of the building and as soon as he hit the sidewalk his mind became clear again.
Gerald.
He jumped in his car and before he knew it he was at Gerald’s place. He knocked on the door with a vengeance but no one answered. He slammed his body into it, repeatedly until something gave way and he was able to push it open. Looking around inside, the place was immaculately clean.
“Montoya!” he yelled. He ran from room to room. “Are you here? Gerald!”
Edward entered Gerald’s bedroom and stopped quick. It was neatly put together, with fresh flowers on the dresser and a clean smell of linen on the bed. Edward pulled the drawers open, noticing each one was empty. Under the flowers was a business card for a cleaning service and next to that was a folder. He opened it and read an itinerary laid out for Morocco. Guided tours, travels to Meknes, Fes, Casablanca, dinner for two, a romantic cruise. He clenched his jaw tightly, drawing his hands together in tight fists before grabbing the lamp on the dresser and hurling it across the room, slamming it into the wall and busting it into pieces. He sat on the edge of the bed and for the first time in his life he felt very alone.
Chapter 42
“Edward. What’s goin’ on, man?”
Edward had never liked hearing Joseph’s voice as much as he did in that moment.
“It’s good to hear from you.”
“What do you mean? I’m a call away. You know that. What’s going on? You okay, man?”
“No, not really. I need to get out of here.”
“Mi casa es su casa. When are you gonna make that a reality anyway? I know a lot of people down here that are asking about you. You are missed, my friend.”
“I think I am going to pack up and head out by tomorrow.”
“Good to hear, good to hear. Listen, I’ll be waiting. Let me know when you break out of there.”
“Will do. Thanks, Joseph.”
“You got it.”
Edward spent most of the afternoon preparing to leave Oxford for good. He was ready to go back to his normal life. It might not be the happiest life, but at least it was stable and he knew who he was supposed to be. He picked up the bracelet Eva made for him and gave him the day at the park. He ran his fingertips over the woven material and felt her aura flow through him.
We were so right together, he thought, clenching his jaw. He looked at the image in the mirror and tried finding himself looking back.
“I don’t know how to let go of you, Eva.”
He turned away when tears threatened to surface as if he couldn’t allow his image to see his vulnerability. He pulled his clothes from the dresser and started to put them into his suit case. He stopped, his hands pulling out the jeans he bought in Paris. He grabbed the white t-shirts, the jacket and everything else he purchased there. Looking down into his almost empty suitcase, he clenched the pile of clothes he held, then walked to the trash can and dropped them in.
When he crashed on the couch just after midnight, he had the terminated lease on his desk, ready to hand to the landlord, he had the car rental agreement and a check for the amount due to be turned in once he arrived back in Brighton, and he had the key ready to be put back in the mailbox as instructed by the landlord. He wanted to leave as soon as he was ready, but he knew he wouldn’t make the two-and-a-half-hour drive without sleep threatening him.
As soon as the sun peeked into his window, he was up and out the door.
Brighton had never looked so good to him. Six months away from everyth
ing he knew was too long and to Edward, it felt like years. He let himself into his apartment and took a few minutes to look around. He left Joseph in charge of keeping it up while he was away and surprisingly, he didn’t use it for his own party pad, or at least it didn’t look like he did anyway.
After a long shower and a quick look in the mirror, Edward was beginning to see his old self again. He didn’t quite feel the part, but the surroundings and business suit helped.
After he took care of the car rental, he popped into Joseph’s office unannounced.
“Hey, hey, hey! Look who it is.” Joseph stood up and slammed his hand into Edward’s. He pulled him in and bear hugged him. “Let me take a look at you. Make sure you still have all your working parts and this girl didn’t steal more than your heart on you.” Joseph said with a serious attitude. “You okay, man?”
Edward nodded. “Yeah. I’m good. It’s good to be back. This is what I need. I guess I never should have left. Everything still looks in tact. That’s a good thing.”
“You expect anything different? Man, wait til I show you the new company. You are going to flip.”
By the end of the week, Edward was brought up to speed on everything and working diligently as if he had never left.
“I like these numbers,” he said as he went through the monthly report. This all happened since you started the company?”
“Naw man, this all happened this month.”
“Are you kidding?”
Joseph shook his head, a smile on his face.
“At this rate, the new company will be bigger than Caldwell and Johnson by the end of the year.”
“That’s what I am banking on.”
“I’ve got some great ideas in a few of the areas I saw some weakness in. I want to schedule a meeting and go over them. I’ll work on the details over the weekend so we can start fresh Monday morning.”
“Oh, no you don’t,” Joseph said, shaking his head.
“What?”
“You aren’t wasting your first weekend back, working. I have plans for you.”