Broken Trust

by Lillian Duncan

  “First of all, the shooting happened on Saturday night. Today is Tuesday.” Her hands moved around as she spoke. “Where have you been? Why didn’t you come forward sooner?”

  “I know this will sound craz—”

  “Try me.”

  “I had to take my finals first.”

  The detective blinked a few times as if she hadn’t heard correctly. “Excuse me?”

  “I had to take that exam. Otherwise, I wouldn’t graduate. And I’ve worked so hard. I didn’t think waiting until after the exam would make that big of a difference.”

  “You shoot someone and you’re worried about a final?” Annie sounded incredulous.

  It did sound stupid. “I told you it would sound crazy, but it’s the truth.”

  “Right. Why let a little thing like murdering a man get in the way of a final exam?”

  “There’s no reason to be facetious, Detective Dargols.” The lawyer tapped the table with his pen. “And it wasn’t murder. It was clearly self-defense. Perhaps, she should have called sooner, but clearly she was in a state of shock.”

  The detective ignored him and looked at her. “You shot someone and thought it would be OK to wait until after you took the test before you contacted the police? That’s more than shock.”

  “I see how wrong that was now. I just…” Tears filled Chryssie’s eyes. “But it’s taken me more than five years. I…I know it was wrong, but I couldn’t miss that exam. At least that’s what I thought at the time. Clearly, I wasn’t thinking straight.”

  “Clearly.” Annie Dargols nodded. “I talked with Marquetta. As far as she knew you didn’t even own a gun. She said the two of you talked about it. Made plans to take a gun safety class then both of you get one.”

  Ooh, she’d forgotten about that. “I did want to take that class. But I already had a gun. I just didn’t admit it to Marquetta. She’s such a stickler for the law.”

  The detective gave her a hard look. “Something you’re clearly not.”

  The lawyer gave a little warning cough.

  “OK, so how’d you learn to shoot it?”

  “What’s to learn? Put some bullets in it and pull the trigger.”

  Annie gave her a look.

  Had she said something wrong?

  “Do you remember how many times you shot him?”

  “Once. No wait, that’s not right.” She closed her eyes, her mind going back to the alley. Pop. Pop. Pop. “I think it was three times. I don’t know. I was so scared. But I’m pretty sure it was three.”

  “What did you do after that?”

  “Went home.”

  “So you shot a guy, then just got in your car and drove home?”

  Marv should have asked more questions. She didn’t want to mess this up. “Well, no. I was so freaked out, I forgot about my car and ran home instead.”

  “That’s pretty freaked out.”

  “Is there a question there, detective?” Sam Carson asked.

  “Not really. So, then what did you do on Sunday?”

  “Studied, then went to the bar to pick up my car, but ended up working instead.”

  “Unbelievable. So you killed a guy on Saturday night and you thought the right thing to do was study all day Sunday. Makes sense to me.”

  “I didn’t know I’d killed him. I was hoping…” Why had Marv thought anyone would believe this ridiculous story?

  “Yeah, stop while you’re ahead. You did just take classes for nursing school so I’m pretty sure you could see that he was dead. All that blood should have been an indication. So Sunday you walked back to the bar to get your car, right? But you still don’t have your car now, do you?”

  “Right.”

  “Why not?”

  “When I went to pick it up on Sunday, Marquetta asked me to work for a while, then her son got hurt and she left. I filled in for the rest of her shift.”

  “Makes sense. So, then why didn’t you get the car after your shift?”

  Her gaze went to the lawyer. He was scribbling on his pad.

  “It was dark when I left the bar.”

  “And…”

  “And well…the truth is I was still too freaked out to walk in that alley again. Especially after dark, after what happened.” Sometimes the truth was the best answer of all.

  “Too freaked out.” The detective nodded. “I can understand that, but you’ve got the car now, right?”

  “I haven’t had time.”

  “So, let me get this straight. You’ve been running around all over the city for the past three days without your car. How’d you get here?”

  “A friend.” Chryssie almost choked on the word. “And I haven’t been running all over the city. I took my final and then went to my apartment.”

  “Really? Funny you weren’t there when I was there. The four different times I’ve been there looking for you. The super even let us in the last time. You were nowhere to be found.”

  She rubbed her sweaty palms on her jeans. “I was scared and didn’t go home. I needed some time to think. And once I did I knew I needed to come here and turn myself in.”

  The detective shrugged. “OK, if you say so.”

  What would she say when the detective asked her where she’d been? She couldn’t tell the woman she’d been kidnapped and then driven here against her will.

  Annie Dargols stood up and looked at them. “I’ll be back in a minute. Feel free to talk among yourselves.”

  Sam Carson looked up from his notes. “Not likely. Since we’re probably being recorded.”

  “Suit yourself. I’ll be back in a bit.” She walked out.

  “I’m not kidding about the recording,” the lawyer said. “Don’t say anything in here that you don’t want them to know about.”

  “What more could I say? I already told them I killed a man in self-defense.”

  “Still, it’s better to err on the side of caution.”

  The door opened.

  Her stomach fluttered. This was it. Time to be arrested.

  Annie smiled at her. “You’re free to go.”

  “What? I’m not getting arrested. Why not?”

  “I didn’t say you wouldn’t be arrested later. But for now, you’re free to go. We’ll present the information to the D.A. He’ll decide if he wants to move forward or rule it as self-defense. I’ll recommend self-defense.”

  Tears of gratitude filled her eyes. “I…I didn’t think you believed me.”

  “I’m not the enemy, Chryssie. We really do want justice to prevail. And please, next time we try to get in touch, don’t make it so hard for us to find you.”

  “I won’t. I promise.”

  “She promises no such thing, detective. If you want to talk to her, you contact me. Understand?”

  “Absolutely, Mr. Carson. Absolutely.” Detective Dargols opened the door and motioned for Chryssie to leave.

  Chryssie walked down the hall processing all the implications of being free. Gabriella’s future, her nursing career, the bar, Marv and his murderous cousin, the lies…

  Mr. Carson followed her.

  “Oh, and Chryssie, you might want to get your car before it gets towed.” Detective Dargols voice barely registered in Chryssie’s whirling thoughts.

  12

  It wasn’t time to sleep—yet. But Chryssie wasn’t sure what she should do. Her apartment looked the same, but everything else about her life had changed. She’d taken the easy way out once again. But no more. From now on she’d do the right thing, no matter how difficult. “At least you’re not in jail.” She spoke aloud in her empty apartment.

  Gabriella was her first priority. She dialed the number written on the card.

  “Hello.”

  “Mrs. Bowler, this is Chryssie Mason. Gabriella Mason’s sister—she’s one of your clients.”

  “Ah, yes. I’ve been expecting a call from you.”

  “You have? Why?”

  “Well, I recognized you on the news. I’m sure you understand this will no
t help you get custody of Gabriella. You do understand that, right?”

  “It was self-defense and I haven’t been arrested.” Of course, she still could be, but she wouldn’t tell her sister’s case worker that part. “I do understand, but that’s not why I’m calling.”

  “It’s not. I would have thought it would be your first priority. For the past few years you’ve been telling me you want custody of your sister.”

  “And I still do. But I need to talk to Gabriella right now. I don’t want her to hear about this on the news. I need the phone number to her foster home so I can explain to her what’s going on.”

  “I can’t do that. The judge decided to keep her location private from you. You know that.”

  “But it’s different this time. I can’t let her hear about this from someone else.”

  “I’m sure it is different. But I won’t violate a court order.”

  “I need to…need to make sure she’s safe.”

  “Of course she’s safe. Why wouldn’t she be safe?”

  Chryssie wanted to scream, ‘because Marv said so.’ Instead, she said, “I just need to make sure she’s OK. Please. Just let me talk with her. She can call me if that works out better. I need….I need to hear her voice.”

  “I understand you’re going through a difficult situation.” The social worker’s voice softened. “But even if I wanted to let you, I can’t get hold of her either.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because there is the possibility you might be thinking of running and want to take her with you.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” She’d accepted years ago that it wasn’t the right thing. She’d worked hard to finish college so she and Gabriella could have a decent life, legally. “Just a short visit.”

  “Sorry, it will have to wait. She’s on vacation with her foster family. I’m sure she’s having the time of her life.”

  Having the time of her life. Those were the exact words Marv had used. He really did have her. Can’t fall apart right now. She struggled to keep her emotions out of her voice when she spoke. “Can you let me know when—”

  “Actually, I think it would be a good idea if you didn’t see her right now. Maybe later. After this is all cleared up. Good-bye, Ms. Mason.”

  With the phone still in her hand, Chryssie curled up on the sofa. She had no idea what to do. She couldn’t trust her boss; she couldn’t trust her lawyer; she couldn’t trust the social worker…she couldn’t even trust Zack. Gabriella was at the mercy of criminals. All she’d worked for was gone.

  She gave into the tears.

  ****

  A knock on the door brought Chryssie out of her sleep-deprived stupor. She opened the door.

  “Hello.” Annie Dargols smiled.

  Zack stood behind the detective. Zack the traitor. The fraud. The man who’d pretended to be a Christian. Pretended to care about her. Pretended to be her friend.

  She moved her gaze back to the detective. “What do you two want?”

  “Oh, we’re not here together. I guess I timed it wrong.” Zack took a step away from Annie Dargols.

  “Or maybe not.” Annie gave him a hard look. “I’d like to talk with you. You’re the man who brought Chryssie to the station, right? I have a few questions for you. I’d like to ask—”

  “I don’t know anything. A friend asked a favor and I did it. End of story.”

  Yeah, some friend. “Zack, I don’t want you here. Not now. Not ever. Just go away. Leave me alone.”

  “Too bad. I’ve got a message for you. From your employer. The man who’s paying for your lawyer.”

  Wonderful. Just wonderful. “Give it to me and then go away.”

  Annie Dargols turned toward Zack with a knowing smile. “Yes. Go ahead and give her the message. I’d love to hear it as well.”

  He motioned toward her. “Ladies first.”

  She turned back to Chryssie. “What a gentleman.”

  “Believe me, he’s not.”

  The detective shrugged. “I need to talk with you. In private.”

  Chryssie opened the door wider. “Come in, Detective Dargols.”

  Zack leaned against the wall. “I’ll wait out here. What I have to say is private too. Meant for Chryssie’s ears only. We can talk after she leaves.”

  “I already told you I have nothing to say to you. Ever.”

  “That’s OK, I’ll do the talking.”

  Chryssie’s gaze moved down the hall. Stan stood down by the elevators. Zack was still on probation if he had to have the goon to monitor him. Apparently Marv didn’t trust Zack either.

  The detective turned to Zack. “You’re more than welcome to come in with me. I’ve got nothing to hide.”

  He shook his head but said nothing.

  Chryssie closed the door. “What do you want, Detective Dargols?”

  “Call me Annie. I had a few details I needed to go over with you. For clarification.”

  Chryssie stared at the woman. “If you’re going to arrest me, just do it. Get it over with.”

  “I’m not here to arrest you. Please sit down so we can talk.”

  “Then why are you here?”

  “For the truth.”

  “I already told you that I shot that guy. How much more truth do you want? Besides, my lawyer said you shouldn’t talk to me alone. And I don’t see him here.”

  “If that’s the way you want to play it, fine by me. I’ll call and arrange a time to meet at the station.” She put her hand on the door to leave. “But I came here because I want to help.”

  “You’re here so you might as well ask what you want.” Chryssie motioned at the sofa.

  Annie sat down.

  Chryssie pulled up a kitchen chair. “What do you want to know?”

  “Tell me about the gun again. How did you get it?”

  “Some guy at the bar was selling it one night, so I bought it. What else is there to say?”

  “Can I see the bullets you have for it?”

  “I don’t have them. I…I threw them away on Sunday. The garbage gets picked up on Monday. Sorry.”

  Annie nodded. “Can you explain to me how you load them?”

  “You just put them in. What’s the problem?” Her palms began to sweat.

  “The problem is that type of gun has a clip. And you haven’t once mentioned the word, clip.”

  Think fast, Chryssie. “Oh, I didn’t even think about it. I didn’t know that’s what you were talking about. Did you think I meant individual bullets? I meant the clip.”

  Annie met her gaze. “I don’t believe you.”

  Suddenly Chryssie felt hot, then chilled. Now she understood why Zack was out there. To remind her to stick to Marv’s story. He’d probably been out there since she’d been home. Or maybe he was following the detective, not her.

  Chryssie walked over to her refrigerator and grabbed a generic diet cola—it was all she could afford. “Want one?”

  “No thanks.”

  After taking a sip, she looked at the detective. “Look, I don’t know what you want from me. I told you what happened, Detective. I don’t know why you won’t believe me. I didn’t want to hurt that man.”

  “Annie.” The dark-haired detective smiled. “Please call me Annie.”

  “Fine, Annie. I don’t have anything else to say. He attacked me. I shot him.”

  Annie Dargols stared at her for several long moments. “I know something else is going on here. I’m not sure what, but I know there is. I can help you. If you’ll tell me the truth. I really am on your side.”

  Acutely aware of Zack on the other side of the door, Chryssie shook her head. He probably had some sort of listening device and could hear every word she said. No one could help her. There was no way she would endanger Gabriella. “I’m sorry, detective. I mean, Annie. I don’t know what you’re talking about. It was self-defense.”

  Annie sighed. “OK, then fine. Let’s talk about something else. How about your car?”

  They we
re back to the car. “What about it?”

  “You running all over town without your car doesn’t make sense to me. That’s why I think there’s more to this story. Where were you yesterday after your exam? It was as if you vanished into thin air. I need to know the truth so I can help you, Chryssie.”

  “I have noth—”

  “Don’t insult my intelligence. Where were you all day yesterday? Why couldn’t I find you after you took your exam?”

  Chryssie tried to calm down. She wanted to tell Annie the truth. But Marv would hurt Gabriella. “If you plan to arrest me, then do it. Other than that, I have nothing else to say. Talk to my lawyer.”

  “You told me that you planned to come in after your exam. So when I showed up at your classroom, why didn’t you talk to me then?”

  This wasn’t going well. “I panicked when I saw you had my picture. I…I didn’t know what to do.”

  “Your exam was yesterday. Where were you for all those hours after your exam? Before you came into the station. We had your apartment staked out. You never came back here.” She stared at Chryssie, waiting for an answer.

  Chryssie didn’t have one. “Talk to my lawyer.”

  “Speaking of your lawyer, exactly how were you able to afford one of the top lawyers in the city?”

  “My boss hired him.”

  “You know your boss is not all that he seems to be.”

  Sure. She knew that now.

  “If he’s somehow involved in this, we can help you. We can protect you.”

  Oh, how she wanted to believe her—to trust her. Chryssie wanted to tell her everything. Let her fix it. But she couldn’t be trusted. No one could be. Keeping Gabriella safe was the only thing that mattered. If that meant going to jail, then so be it. “I have nothing else to say, Detective Dargols.”

  “Annie. That’s fine. Then you can listen.” Annie lowered her voice as if suddenly thinking about Zack outside her door as well. “If you’re in trouble, I want to help you. I really do, Chryssie. I am not your enemy. Let me help you. Please.”

  “The only trouble I’m in is waiting to see if I’ll be arrested for defending myself. That’s all.”

  Annie held out a card to Chryssie. “Take it. You call me if you change your mind or if you need me.”

  Chryssie took the card, then very deliberately set it on the coffee table. “I won’t be using it.”