The Season of Sin (Peace In The Storm Publishing Presents)

by Stacy-Deanne

  “I cared about Bruce. I loved him very much.”

  “Bullshit.” Swaggert leapt in Dylan’s face. “You sold him out you little brat.”

  “Oooh!” Jasmine fought Zoë’s hold. “Nobody talks about my niece like that, Swaggert! Nobody!”

  “Yeah? You should have taught your niece to keep her legs closed and her mouth shut!”

  “You bastard!” Jasmine reached for him.

  Nick caught her. “Stop it! He’s not worth it!”

  “Get away from me, Nick.” She tussled. “I’m gonna rip out his throat! We’re already at the police station so they can lock me up after I kill him!”

  Steven jumped in between everyone. “Stop it!”

  Jayce popped out. “Hey! What the hell is going on out here? This is a police station not the damn street! Act like you got some home training.”

  Jasmine raised a fist at Swaggert. “He’s gonna have a busted lip in about a second.”

  “Calm down, Aunt Jas. I don’t care what Mr. Swaggert says or thinks about me and my relationship with Bruce is none of his business.”

  “Mr. Swaggert, I assume this is McNamara’s attorney,” Jayce said.

  The doe-eyed brunette nodded. “I’m Annabelle Fontaine. You’re Detective Matthews I presume?”

  “Yes.”

  “May I speak with Mr. McNamara?”

  “Let her, Matthews.” Swaggert spit into his tissue. “No tellin’ what you try’na do in there.”

  Jayce laid his hand on his chest. “Why Swaggert are you accusing me of trying to muddy the waters? I don’t work like that. I’ve been telling Bruce what we know. He’s smart enough that he hasn’t said much of anything.” Jayce bowed to Annabelle. “So counselor you should be happy about that.”

  “Thank you, Detective.” Annabelle went inside the room.

  Swaggert bucked up behind her.

  Jayce stood at the door. “Hey where are you going?”

  “I’m paying for her, I’m going in there.” Swaggert slammed the door behind him.

  “She sure is young-looking to be a lawyer,” Nick said.

  Jasmine fanned her hands. “The more inexperienced the better.”

  “What’s going on, Detective Matthews?” Dylan asked. “Is Bruce gonna be all right?”

  “I know you’re concerned but what happens to Bruce is really none of your business. I thought you believed he had something to do with the murders.”

  “I didn’t say for sure. I just said it wasn’t adding up.”

  “What about him lying about not being in town when your mother was killed? What about him lying about seeing Shannon at the garage before her death? You can overlook that?”

  “Please just tell me if he’s okay. He must feel so alone.”

  “He’s upset,” Jayce said. “I think he realizes how much trouble he’s in.”

  “I betrayed him. I was always the one Bruce could count on. I told him I’d always believe in him and I didn’t.”

  Jasmine fanned with her magazine. “I’m at a loss for words.”

  “Since when?” Steven whispered.

  Brianna and Nick grinned.

  “If Bruce is innocent and if I’ve ruined things for him, I’ll never forgive myself.” Dylan sat beside Zoë. “Not in a hundred years.”

  Jayce walked to the bench. “I doubt you’ll be so understanding once you hear what else we found out about Bruce.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  “You gotta tell me the truth if I’m to help you, Bruce.” Annabelle pulled out a small recorder. “You gotta be honest with me.”

  “I am. I didn’t see Shannon before she disappeared.”

  “We both know that’s not true. I’m on your side don’t you understand that? Come on.”

  “Fuck.” He kicked the chair when he got up. “What the hell does everyone want from me? I can’t go back to prison for something I didn’t do. If I’m supposed to trust you then I gotta know in my heart that you believe me.”

  “I believe you.”

  “Don’t play with me.”

  “I’m not. I honestly don’t think you did it.”

  He squinted. “Why?”

  “I just don’t. But Matthews has some damn good evidence on you. It didn’t just drop out of the sky. I need you to admit what happened. Tell me the truth no matter how horrible you think it is.”

  “Okay I did see Shannon the night of Nadia’s funeral.” He walked around the table.

  “How was she acting?”

  “She was a complete mess. She was screaming my name. She had this bottle of Jim Beam and she dropped it at the door. She was so drunk it was amazing she could stand up let alone drive all the way to the garage. She accused me of killing Nadia and I told her to get out. She started ranting and raving and took out the gun. She told me she’d shoot me unless I called the police and turned myself in for killing Nadia.”

  Annabelle stooped over the back of her chair. “Did you get angry?”

  “I admit Shannon had a way of pushing my buttons like you wouldn’t believe. And she always loved to do it too.”

  “Well what happened after she told you to call the police?”

  “I told her to fuck off and I grabbed the gun. She ran out the garage.” He walked to the other side of the room. “I swear I just wanted to talk but she wouldn’t listen. She hid from me. I caught her when she tried to leave. I grabbed her when she got to her truck and dragged her back to the garage. I swear I wasn’t gonna hurt her.”

  “Did you still have the gun?”

  “Yes but I dropped it when she kicked me.”

  “Why didn’t you just let her leave?”

  “I panicked. I didn’t want her going to the police because I knew I’d lied.”

  “About being in town when Nadia was killed?”

  “Yeah and they already had an eye on me. I just wanted to talk to her that’s all. I also didn’t want her going off as drunk as she was. She could’ve killed someone.”

  “So you were concerned?”

  “Yes. I’m not the animal everyone says I am. Fuck me for being scared and confused but I’m human just like everyone else.”

  “How did your blood get on her clothes?”

  “She hit me in the nose with the gun when we were inside the garage and I started bleeding. I guess some got on her when we tussled.”

  “What happened to Shannon?”

  “I swear I have no idea. When I tried to talk to her she hit me again and drove away. I swear I’m telling the truth. I haven’t heard from Shannon since.”

  “You should’ve come forward the minute she was found dead.”

  “I know but you think the cops would’ve let me walk away? They’ve been bothering me ever since this started. Hell I thought Shannon killed Nadia and maybe that’s why she ran off. I don’t know what happened but I didn’t kill Shannon.”

  “Someone killed her.”

  “This might sound like bullshit but I think someone else was there at the garage. Maybe someone followed her and killed her. The same person probably killed Nadia.”

  “Speculation and guesses are useless, Bruce.”

  “Maybe the person did it to set me up. They saw the perfect opportunity and took it. All I know is I didn’t kill Shannon. Besides Matthews’ just blowing smoke out his ass. They don’t even have a murder weapon.”

  “And do you realize how many people are convicted of murder with no murder weapon ever coming into the picture?”

  “This is such bullshit. They don’t give a shit about Shannon. They just wanna tie Nadia’s murder to me. Well they never will because I didn’t kill either one of them. I don’t care what “evidence” Matthews comes up with.”

  She turned the recorder off. “We need to…”

  Dylan charged in with Jasmine and the others behind her.

  “Dylan?” Bruce ran to her. She held her hand up to stop him.

  “Don’t come near me you bastard.” Tears ran down her face.

  “Dylan w
hat’s wrong?”

  “Just tell me this, Bruce. Was everything you said and did always a lie? Were you ever honest?”

  “Dylan I’m sorry I lied about being in town when Nadia was killed but I did not kill anyone.”

  “I’m not talking about that. Shannon was the woman you cheated on me with when I was in NYC. Isn’t she?”

  Jasmine pulled her back. “Stop it, Dylan.”

  “Admit it you asshole!”

  Bruce looked into the hungry eyes of the others. He could be back in prison for something he didn’t even do yet he still cared about Dylan’s broken heart.

  “I…I love you, Dylan.”

  She punched at air with Jasmine fighting to hold her. “You are a disgusting liar and I hate you!”

  “I’ll explain it to you later. This just isn’t the time.”

  “Don’t bother explaining.” She relaxed in Jasmine’s hold. “Because from this point on I don’t give a damn what happens to you. I think you did kill them and I hope you rot in prison for the rest of your life.”

  “You don’t mean that. No matter what I’ve done you’ve always been the most important thing in my life. I fucked up but I need you on my side right now, Dylan. Please don’t cut me out of your life now. I don’t have anyone.”

  “I hid something from you too, Bruce. But I did it to spare your feelings. What a joke.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Bruce.” Swaggert moved from the others. “You got anything in yo’ head that represents a brain?”

  “Not now, Swag.”

  “Why the hell you even care what this twat thinks of you?”

  “That’s it, Swaggert!” Jasmine shoved him.

  “Whoa.” Steven blocked her. “Settle down, Jasmine!”

  “You call my niece one more name and I’ll pound your ass into ground meat.”

  “Stop it Ms. Hudson or you’ll be spending the night!” Jayce warned.

  She broke away from Steven.

  “I want you to admit you did it.” Dylan stared at Bruce. “Tell me to my face you slept with Shannon.”

  “Don’t do this.”

  “Tell me!”

  “Yes. I slept with Shannon.”

  “You slept with your girlfriend’s mother’s lesbian lover, Bruce? You have to be the sorriest excuse of a man to ever walk on this earth.”

  “Stay outta this, Aunt Jas.”

  “Hell.” Swaggert stuffed chewing tobacco in his mouth. “This shit’s just like a soap opera.”

  “And there’s something else you’re forgetting isn’t there?” Dylan stood in front of Bruce. “Shannon got pregnant with your baby didn’t she?”

  “Don’t do this. I’ve always only loved you.”

  “Well.” Dylan chuckled. “Isn’t this some kind of curveball? Once again I was worrying about you and didn’t even know you’d been lying to me through most of our relationship.”

  “It wasn’t like that.”

  “Oh? You slept with my mother’s lesbian lover and got her pregnant and hid it from me! Do you see how fucked up that is, Bruce?”

  “Please.” He reached for her.

  “Don’t. Everyone was right about you.”

  “No. Listen to me, Dylan. I made a mistake but I couldn’t tell you because I couldn’t lose you.”

  “You didn’t tell her because you’re selfish and only cared about yourself. She finally knows what you are.”

  “This is your fault, Jasmine.”

  “Mine?” She laughed. “I didn’t put you in between Shannon’s legs did I?”

  “Jasmine if you were a man I’d kicked your ass years ago.”

  “Don’t you dare talk to my aunt like that.”

  “Dylan. I love you so much, baby. I need you so much. You want me to beg?” He got on his knees. “Then I’ll beg. Please forgive me, Dylan. You don’t have to be with me if you don’t want to but just don’t abandon me now please. I’m scared. I’m truly scared because I didn’t kill anyone.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “You know it’s true. I don’t care who believes me as long as you do.”

  “I’ll never believe anything that comes out of your mouth again.”

  “What did you mean when you said you hid something?”

  “I was pregnant.”

  “What the hell did you just say?”

  “I got pregnant back then too. I was gonna tell you but…”

  “You were pregnant?” He fell into a chair. “What the fuck?”

  “Dylan you don’t have to do this in front of everyone.”

  “I want to, Aunt Jas. It’s time we get all these secrets out once and for all.”

  “Let me guess.” Bruce held his hands in front of his face. “You got rid of it huh?”

  “Yes.”

  “What a surprise. I know you didn’t do it on your own. I know you loved me too much to be pregnant and get rid of it without telling me.”

  “Just like you were supposed to love her enough to be honest with her?”

  Swaggert bumped Jasmine. “Why don’t you shut up?”

  “You hear me, Dylan? I know you wouldn’t get rid of our baby on your own would you?”

  “What difference does it make?”

  “It makes a hell of a lot of difference to me. Who made you get rid of it huh? Nadia or Jasmine?”

  “I had nothing to do with it.”

  “Bullshit!” Bruce jumped up. Jayce held him back. “You and Nadia had everything to do with me and Dylan and that’s why we’re not together!”

  “Don’t blame me for you being stupid and not realizing what you had when you had it.”

  “So what happened huh, Jasmine? Did you and Nadia take Dylan to a clinic or did you hold her down while Nadia sliced the baby out herself?”

  “You vile…ooh! I didn’t even know she’d been pregnant until Nadia told me months after Dylan had the abortion.”

  “I don’t believe a word that comes out of your mouth! You don’t give a damn about Dylan only keeping her away from me!”

  “I love my niece!”

  “As long as she’s doing what you want her to right?”

  “It was my decision, Bruce.”

  “The fuck it was. I know you and you never would’ve gotten rid of our baby.”

  “We couldn’t take care of a baby and you know it.”

  “I’d have made a way for us.”

  “How?”

  “I’d have married you and done the best I could but you didn’t give me the chance! How could you be pregnant and hide it from me?”

  “Just like you hid everything else, Bruce? You forget where you are and why you’re here?”

  “I don’t believe this.” He walked around with his hands on his head. “What other surprise you got?”

  “I could ask you the same thing.”

  “I don’t care. We both made mistakes. We can get past them.”

  “Not this time.”

  “If your aunt wasn’t standing here you’d be singing a different tune but you let her run your life and I’m sick of it.”

  “Don’t blame it on me. Dylan’s finally seen you for what you really are.”

  “You stay away from me, Bruce. I never wanna see you again.”

  “She’s full of shit,” Swaggert said. “She says that all the time. She’ll be back next week.”

  “I mean it for good this time.” Dylan went to the door.

  Bruce followed her. “You’re not getting away from me.” Jayce stopped him at the door. “I won’t lose you, Dylan. I will not lose you!”

  “You already have.”

  “Bruce.” Jayce took out his handcuffs. “You’re under arrest for the murder of Shannon Kuriakis.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  A Month Later

  Jasmine, Nick, Dylan and Zoë were having lemonade on Jasmine’s back patio when Jayce, Steven and Brianna arrived that evening.

  The weather had been gorgeous for the last two weeks and
Steven couldn’t wait to take advantage of it. Unfortunately he hadn’t a break since this case. The only pleasure he got was being around Zoë.

  Dylan, Nick and Jasmine sat around the patio table while Zoë stretched out on a lawn chair. Brianna sat in the chair by the water hose. She looked at Zoë and then Steven like she always did when they came by. He kept denying he had feelings for Zoë but obviously they were harder to conceal than he thought.

  Zoë wore a flimsy red summer dress and red flip flops with tiny bows on the top of them. The red sparkled against her dark skin. She propped her leg up, giving his eyes slight access to the silk panties underneath. He felt her gaze behind her shades. She wiggled her leg while sipping her lemonade through the straw.

  Sweat beaded around his neck again. How could he want a woman so much so soon? For weeks he’d cursed himself for sending her out of his house without confronting this itch. Why the hell did he have to be such a good guy and respect her? Why didn’t he just fuck her and maybe then she’d been out of his system.

  “Steve?” Jayce spread the newspaper clippings in front of the others. “Man you okay? Look like you’re about to faint.”

  “Do I?”

  “Yes you’re sweating.” Brianna glared.

  “Oh well it’s kinda humid to me.” He fanned.

  “Maybe you need some lemonade too.” Zoë plucked the end of her straw with her lips.

  He wanted those lips wrapped around his…

  “Detective Kemp would you like something to drink?” Jasmine asked.

  “Uh no, I’m fine.” He made sure to sit in the chair farthest away from Zoë. He hadn’t any problems keeping his body away from her. It was his eyes that had a mind of their own.

  Zoë slung her ponytail over her shoulder. She licked her lips between every sip.

  God help me.

  Jayce gestured to the clippings. “Think you can help us, Dylan? You might be the only one who can.”

  “Me?”

  “These clippings were found in one of your mother’s boxes we confiscated. She had many copies. They’re about a woman, Elle Givens. Her baby was kidnapped almost thirty years ago. Know why your mother had these?”