by M. S. Parker
“Now I see how it all went wrong,” Georgia said. “But I can fix it.” She stood suddenly and smiled brightly at both me and Jasper. “I'm going to go get us some tea.”
She left before either of us could refuse.
“Let's go,” I said quietly. “We have everything we need.”
“We don't want to make her suspicious,” Jasper said, his voice low. “We'll drink the tea and then tell her we need to go.”
I nodded in agreement, trying to still the butterflies in my stomach. For some reason, my gut had decided that now was the time to be nervous. I didn't get it. We'd gotten a confession, and now all we had to do was drink some tea and get out of here.
A few minutes passed and Georgia came back in with a tea tray. She set it on the table and handed me the cup that already had tea in it.
“Here.”
My stomach twisted and churned, threatening rebellion if I tried to put anything in it.
“That's okay,” I said politely. “My stomach's a bit upset. Thank you anyway. We really do need to get going.”
Georgia's smile tightened and she reached behind her, pulling out a small, but very real, gun. “Drink the tea, Mrs. Lockwood. Or things are going to get very unpleasant.”
Chapter 22
When Jasper and I had decided to confront Georgia about forging the letter and email, I thought it might be possible for her to get upset and perhaps start screaming and yelling. Maybe she'd throw something or try to slap one of us. Scratch us with the claw-like fake fingernails she was sporting.
Nowhere in any of that had I thought she'd use a gun to force me into drinking a cup of tea. And I seriously doubted she was the kind of crazy who wanted me to drink the tea because we were all going to be such good friends.
“What's in it?” I asked, silently congratulating myself for not freaking out. On the outside at least.
Georgia's smile was decidedly unpleasant. “Try it and find out.”
“Georgia.” Jasper made his voice as soothing as possible, but I could feel the tension radiating off of him. “You don't need to do this.”
“Oh, I think I do,” she said. “It doesn't matter what I do, she's always there. Between us. So she has to go away. It's the only way we can be together.”
“If you hurt her, Georgia, I'll never be with you,” he warned.
“Yes, you will.” She looked back at me. “Now drink. Or I'll shoot him.” She slid her gun over to point at Jasper.
I didn't think she'd do it, but I wasn't willing to take that chance. Not with him.
“Don't do it, Shae.” Jasper didn't take his eyes off of the gun. “She won't shoot me.”
“I will,” she countered. “I'll shoot you in the leg, and then I'll shoot her. And don't even think about throwing it out. I'll shoot you for that too.”
“It'll be okay,” I said quietly. “I love you, Jas.”
I raised the cup, but before it reached my mouth, Jasper grabbed it. I started to reach for it, but he was already tipping it back, draining every last drop.
Georgia screamed, but I barely registered it. I only cared about one thing. I grabbed Jasper's shoulders.
“What were you thinking?!”
“I love you too. Always.”
He gave me a smile that turned into a grimace. Georgia was still screaming as his eyes rolled back and he slumped against the couch. For one terrifying moment, I was too panicked to do anything. Then I heard Georgia yell his name, and it snapped me back to reality.
I dug into my pocket and dialed 911. I gave the operator the address as I stood and grabbed Georgia's arm. I shook her hard, but she didn't stop screaming. My hand came across her face with a crack hard enough to hurt my palm.
“What did you give him?” I asked. “Georgia! What was in that cup?”
She stared at me with wide, wild eyes, and I knew, at that moment, that Jasper was going to die.
The cops had needed to sedate Georgia before they could drag her away from Jasper, and it was a good thing they had because I'd seriously been considering grabbing her gun and shooting her with it, if only to make her shut up. She was screaming and babbling about how she'd never meant to hurt him, and how much she loved him. The only thing that had kept me from getting myself arrested for homicide had been the pulse I'd still been able to feel under my fingers.
Detectives Reed and Rheingard had heard the call go out and had arrived just as Jasper was being loaded into the ambulance. When they'd told me that I had to answer questions before I'd be allowed to go with him, I'd flipped them both off as I'd followed Jasper into the ambulance. Probably not the most mature move on my part, but I'd had enough.
They'd been pissed when they'd arrived at the hospital, but I hadn't cared. I'd ignored their questions as I'd paced in front of the doors to the room where they'd taken Jasper. Then the doctor came out with news.
Georgia was fucking crazy, but she was completely inept when it came to poison.
They'd pumped Jasper's stomach, and wanted to keep him overnight for observation, but he was going to be okay. No lasting damage.
My legs gave out and, surprisingly, Detective Rheingard caught me, leading me over to a chair.
“All right, Mrs. Lockwood,” Detective Rheingard crouched down in front of me. “What the hell happened?”
I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out a small recorder. “It's all there.” I looked up at the doctor. “Can I see him?”
“Mrs. Lockwood...” Detective Reed started to protest.
“Are you and Mr. Whitehall willing to come down to the station on Monday and give us a formal statement to go along with what we have here?” Detective Rheingard cut off his partner.
“We'll be there,” I promised.
Rheingard's expression softened. “Then go.”
The doctor led me into the room where Jasper was laying. He was still unconscious, but that didn't matter. He was alive, and he was going to be okay. That's all I cared about. Everything else was superfluous.
He didn't wake up until he'd already been moved into a private room and it was just the two of us. Only when I saw his eyes open and meet mine did the hand squeezing my heart start to ease.
“What happened?”
His voice was hoarse, and I reached over for the water the nurse had left for him. I held it up and he sipped at it, making a face as he swallowed.
“Short version,” I said. “You got your stomach pumped because you're an idiot.”
He smiled at me as he reached up and brushed his fingers across my cheek. “But you're okay.”
“Yes, I'm okay.” My voice caught and tears ran down my face. “You idiot! You could've died!”
He took my hand, lacing his fingers between mine. “Better me than you.” His tone was only half-teasing.
“Don't ever scare me like that again.” I wanted to smack him, but instead, I raised our hands and kissed the back of his. “Seriously, Jas, I thought I was going to lose you too.”
He squeezed my hand. “Not a chance. I'm not going anywhere.” He moved over towards the edge of his bed. “Come here.”
I gave him a look that was supposed to clearly say that I thought he was out of his mind, but he just smiled and tugged on my hand. I knew the doctors would probably have a fit, but I didn't care. I crawled up onto the bed and let him tuck me against his side.
“Now,” he said. “Tell me everything that happened after I passed out, starting with whether or not you kicked Georgia's ass.”
Chapter 23
They kept Jasper overnight for observation and I stayed with him. The nurses and doctors seemed to find my refusal to leave Jasper's side endearing, and didn't scold me whenever they came into the room and found me in bed with him.
He was released the next morning and we took a cab back to the vineyard. I'd called Mitchell from the hospital and he'd gone to Georgia's to get Jasper's car, so it was waiting in the driveway when we got home. Mitchell had also left us soup from our favorite restaurant, and a note tel
ling me that he wanted Jasper and me to meet his girlfriend whenever Jasper was feeling up to it. After all, his note said, we were his family. Apparently Jasper's willingness to drink poison for me had gotten rid of any doubts Mitchell'd had about him.
We spent the day on the couch eating soup and ice cream, and whatever else would settle on Jasper's still tender stomach. I'd told him that we'd have to go into the police station on Monday to talk to the detectives about what was on the recorder, and we both knew that most likely meant Jasper would be getting into trouble for the insurance thing, but we didn't talk about it. We simply let ourselves enjoy the fact that we were both alive and everything about Allen's death was finally going to be put to rest.
Jasper closed the clinic for the whole day on Monday, so we got up without an alarm and ate breakfast before heading into the police station. I sincerely hoped that this would be the last time I had to be there. I wanted to go into the new year without all of this stuff hanging over my head.
We were almost there when Jasper broke the silence.
“When would the new quarter begin?”
I blinked, startled. I hadn't even thought about how this would effect my job situation. “I think the week before Christmas. I'd have to check my calendar.”
“I was just thinking that if you didn't go back to school until the next quarter began, maybe you could give me a hand at the clinic while I'm looking for a replacement.”
I hadn't even considered what Georgia's arrest would mean for the day-to-day running of the clinic. I nodded. “I don't think Principal Sanders would let me come back until the charges were officially dropped anyway, which will take at least a week, and that's if Mr. Henley pulls some strings to get me in front of a judge.”
Jasper reached over and took my hand. “I'm sorry.”
“About what?”
“About Georgia,” he said. “It wouldn't have changed anything with what happened to Allen, but none of the rest of this would've happened if I hadn't slept with Georgia.”
I squeezed his hand. “It's not your fault. You had no way of knowing she'd go so crazy. Besides,” I added with a teasing note to my voice. “I have to take at least some of the blame since I was the reason you hooked up with her in the first place.”
He gave me a partial smile that said he appreciated what I said, but that he was still blaming himself. I hoped once we were done here, he'd accept the truth and we could put this behind us.
When we arrived at the station, we went straight back to where Detectives Reed and Rheingard were waiting. Rheingard's expression was carefully professional, but Reed couldn't even look at me. It might've been a bit mean of me, but I couldn't help feeling a stab of vindication at his embarrassment.
“We spoke to the prosecutor this morning,” Detective Rheingard said. “She'll be contacting your lawyer today to get things set up to have the charges against you dismissed.” His eyes slid away, and then back again. “On behalf of the department, I'd like to offer our apologies.”
I nodded stiffly. “You were just doing your job.” A part of me still believed that, despite how hard they'd been coming at me instead of looking at other aspects of the case. I could be the bigger person here.
“Miss Overstreet gave us a full confession regarding the incidents that took place on Saturday morning,” Detective Reed said. “She claimed responsibility for forging the letter, the email, and for sending the falsified medical records to the insurance company.”
I felt Jasper stiffen next to me.
“She said that she'd intended to use the letter and email to blackmail you, Dr. Whitehall,” Rheingard continued. “Apparently, she believed that if you thought you'd get in trouble with the ethics board, you'd do whatever she wanted.”
I could almost sense what Jasper was thinking. Georgia had lied about his role in falsifying the medical records. If he didn't say anything, no one would know the truth. I'd kept the real letter from Allen, but there wasn't any other proof that Jasper had done anything wrong.
“She even told us where she'd hidden Mr. Lockwood's real test results.” Rheingard's eyes were on Jasper now. “And you should know, Dr. Whitehall, that part of the agreement Miss Overstreet offered was that her confession was all or nothing. If one part was discredited, then the rest would be too...no matter what we heard on the recording.”
“Your secretary seemed quite concerned about your well-being,” Reed cut in. “Sort of makes a person wonder how much she might be willing to lie about...”
“The case into Allen Lockwood's death has been officially closed,” Rheingard interrupted. “Based on the evidence we have, it's been ruled an accidental death. Our bosses just want this all to go away. So, once we get your statements regarding what happened on Saturday, we can put this whole thing to rest.”
I looked over at Jasper and he nodded. I knew he hated the idea of Georgia taking the blame for deceiving the insurance company, but it looked like even a confession on his part wouldn't change anything.
“You do understand that we had to alert the insurance company to the fraud,” Rheingard said. “You'll want to speak to your attorney about what that'll mean.”
If the only thing that happened out of this was having to give back that money, I wasn't going to complain. It might even ease Jasper's conscience.
“Now, if you'll come with me, Mrs. Lockwood.” Detective Rheingard stood. “I'll take your statement, and Dr. Whitehall can give his to Detective Reed. I'm sure the two of you want to get this done and over with.”
It didn't take long for either of us to explain how we'd gone to see Georgia to confront her about the letter, and how things had progressed from there. Jasper's statement was a bit shorter than mine since he'd passed out before the police had arrived, so when I came back out into the main room, he was already done.
“What happens now?” I asked as I walked over to Jasper's side. I reached out to take his hand.
“Your statements go into the case file,” Rheingard said. “Since Miss Overstreet pled guilty to all of the charges, there won't be a trial. There is always a chance she might recant her statements before the plea deal is official, but I doubt that will happen.”
His eyes flicked over my shoulder, his expression hardening. I turned, following his gaze.
May and Gregory Lockwood were standing just a few feet away.
“We received a very distressing call today, Detectives.” Aside from her mouth twisting into an unpleasant scowl, May didn't even acknowledge my presence. “You're ruling my son's death an accident?”
“We are,” Detective Rheingard spoke up. “There's no evidence to support foul play.”
“I want to speak to the captain,” May said, drawing herself up to her full, unimpressive height. “I refuse to allow her to get away with this.”
I was suddenly tired of all of this. I wanted to be done with everything, including the Lockwoods. I could let Henley handle everything with the trust. I didn't even need to be present for the ruling. I was sure I could come up with a good excuse to miss it. There was only one other thing tying me to them.
“Detectives,” I said. “What do I need to do to drop the arson charges?”
Jasper's fingers tightened around mine.
“Mrs...uh.” Detective Reed looked flustered and I knew it was from the dirty look May was sending his way. “You need the report for your insurance.”
“I know.” I didn't look at my former in-laws. “But I'm sure we can figure something out. A formal letter from the department stating that you're closing the case because there isn't enough evidence to find the perpetrator, but that you've ruled me out.” I gave the men a sweet smile. “I figure it's the least you could do.”
After a moment, Detective Rheingard spoke, “I'll take care of it.”
“Thank you.” I turned towards May and Gregory. “We're done with each other. My attorney will take care of the rest of the trust issue, but I'm not going to be involved. You were never my family. I tolerated you because I lov
ed Allen. Now, I don't have to anymore. Goodbye.”
Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked away. Jasper fell in step beside me, not saying a word. When we reached the car, he stopped and pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me. He kissed the top of my head. “You are so amazing.”
I slid my arms around his waist and squeezed. “You and Mitchell,” I said. “You're my family.”
“And you're mine.”
We stood there for a minute until a cold gust of wind blew across us and I shivered. Jasper opened the door for me and I climbed in. He drove over to Mr. Henley's office and dropped me off, saying he'd be back to pick me up in an hour.
Henley was waiting for me, a cup of steaming coffee already on his desk. I took it gratefully as I sank down into the chair. I sipped at the dark liquid, letting it warm me as he filled me in on what I needed to know. While I'd always preferred coffee over tea, recent events had made it so that I doubted I'd ever want to drink tea again.
“Unless Georgia decides to recant her confession before the end of the week, you won't have to deal with anything involved with her case,” he said. “You don't even have to be there when she enters the plea. The DA offered fifteen to twenty for all of the charges combined, with her not being eligible for parole for at least ten years.”
“What happens if she gets paroled?” I asked. “Or when she gets out?”
“I'll file for a restraining order as soon as I hear anything, so if she comes near you or Jasper, she'll go back to jail,” Mr. Henley said. “But that's not something you're going to have to deal with for a while.”
“I told the police I didn't want to pursue the arson case,” I said. “I know the Lockwoods had something to do with it, but I doubt they'll ever be arrested for it, so I don't really see the point.” I set down my half-empty cup. “And I want to be done with them.”