by Linda Verji
“You don’t know him. Okay.” Shane typed the man’s answer then looked up again. “You’re sure you don’t know him?”
“I told you, I don’t know him,” the younger man insisted sulkily.
“Maybe we should show him pictures,” Lucas said to his partner before opening the brown envelope in front of him and pulling out a couple of pictures. They were all pictures of York Emerson. Some of them were of him alive and smiling, and others were of him on the medical examiner’s table, stiff and gray.
Jonas immediately cringed and arched backwards as if to get away from the images of York. “I don’t know him.”
“He doesn’t know him.” Shane typed again before looking up at Jonas to ask, “Did you kill him or not?”
“I told you,” Jonas’s voice was rising now. “I don’t know.”
Shane’s voice was annoyingly calm as he asked, “You don’t know if you killed him?”
“I didn’t kill him,” Jonas yelled.
“You didn’t kill him,” Shane noted. “Okay.”
“That’s the way to go,” Lucas cheered the younger man on sarcastically. “You’re doing great. Just keep denying it.”
“I didn’t kill him. I didn’t kill him. I didn’t kill him.”
“Suspect insists that he didn’t kill the victim,” Shane read aloud as he typed. When he was done, he looked up again. “Let me repeat it for the last time-”
“Repeating it won’t make me say I did it,” Jonas cut him off. “I didn’t kill him.”
“Let me repeat it for the last time,” Shane went on forcefully. “You don’t know York Emerson and you didn’t kill him. That’s your official statement, right?”
“Right. Yeah. Yeah.” Jonas waved his hand around dismissively. “I didn’t kill him.”
“Then how do you explain this?” Shane navigated to the video file Lucas had discovered in Teddy’s locker and clicked it. He turned the laptop around so Jonas could check out the video too. “This is a video file showing you killing York Emerson.”
Lucas already knew what the video contained but seeing the blood drain from Jonas’s face sent fresh triumph pulsing through him. The video had been filmed in Michael Walcott’s office. Fortunately, Teddy had used a high quality camera. It had caught the crime in full Technicolor.
In the video, Jonas was beating York with a golf club. Even though there was no sound, the images alone were enough to convince even the most Doubting Thomas that Jonas had indeed murdered York.
“Wha-” Jonas sat forward in his seat to stare at the video in horrified fascination. “Wha- what is this?”
“Is that you captured in the video?” Shane asked. When Jonas’s answer was only a terrified gasp, he repeated, “Is that you captured in the video?”
Jonas didn’t answer. Probably because he couldn’t. He was too busy swallowing convulsively and staring.
“Looks like him to me,” Lucas told his partner.
“It’s him,” Shane agreed.
“No, wait. Wait a minute,” Jonas finally found his voice. Panic swimming in his eyes, he looked at Lucas. “This… this… this isn’t what... what-”
“This isn’t what? What it looks like?” Lucas gave him an amused look. “I think it is. Are you going to say you didn’t kill him again?”
“Please keep saying that,” Shane added. “It will make our work so much more fun.”
“I think we’re done here.” Lucas pushed his seat back and stood. “The D.A will want to talk to him.”
When Shane stood too, Jonas’s panic went into overdrive. “No, wait. Wait.”
“What for?” Lucas arched his eyebrows. “You got something to tell us?”
Jonas nodded, swallowed then opened his mouth but no sound came out.
“I don’t have time for this.” Shane started towards the door. Lucas followed him.
“I did it.” It was just a whisper but it stopped them in their tracks.
“What?” Both detectives turned to Jonas.
Jonas was staring down at the table. “I did it. I did it all.”
“You did what?” Lucas prodded. “We didn’t hear you.”
“I did it.” Jonas snatched a look upwards before lowering his gaze again. His voice was louder as he confessed, “I killed York.”
“Did he say he killed York?” Shane asked Lucas.
“That’s what I heard.”
“I killed him. I killed him.” Jonas held his head with both hands as he stared at the table. “I killed him. I killed him. I killed him.”
CHAPTER 30
~ WHAT REALLY HAPPENED ~
Someday this will all be mine, Jonas thought as he lounged in his father’s leather swivel chair. He spun around to take a better look at the spacious office then laughed giddily. This would make the perfect game room. Or maybe he’d turn it into a club where he and his friends could hang out. As for the rest of the company? Well, Jonas would just let August run it while he raked in the cash.
Oh! What a life it would be!
That’s not to say that the life he had right now was terrible. He still spent most of his time doing whatever he pleased and spending money the way he liked. Unfortunately, these days his old man had started nagging him to take an interest in the company. Michael had even forced him to start coming into the company for at least an hour every day. What a waste of time. Still, Jonas had surrendered. Not because he was actually interested in working (who was?), but because the old man still held the purse strings. But once he was gone… Jonas giggled at the thought.
Oh! What a life it would be!
Ring. Ring. Ring. The sudden ringing of the phone cut into his happy thoughts.
“What?” he answered curtly when he picked the phone.
“Mr. Walcott,” the security guy on the ground-floor said. “There are two people here to see you. They say they’re Teddy Bryk and York Emerson and that you were expecting them.”
Jonas jumped to his feet in excitement. “Send them up. Send them up.”
He paced nervously behind the seat as he waited for his guests. If it wasn’t for them, Jonas would be at a nightclub right now. But he didn’t mind. If everything went as planned, tonight’s activities would give him a high that was better than booze and drugs.
Minutes later, someone knocked on the door. Jonas immediately rushed back to the seat, sat down. He practiced his pose. Did rubbing his chin as he looked thoughtfully make him look more like a boss? Or was it better to sit back in the seat like he didn’t give a damn about anything since it was all his anyway? He settled back in the chair.
Affecting a bored tone, he called out, “Come in.”
Jonas managed to stay in his seat when Teddy walked in. But when York followed, Jonas couldn’t help himself. He leapt to his feet and, grinning, started towards the pair. “You’re here.”
York looked good in pictures, but in person he was magnificent. He was short and slender, just the way Jonas liked them. His blue eyes contradicted his brown hair in a weird yet fascinating way. And the way they twinkled as if he was laughing at some personal joke made Jonas want to know the man better.
In most pictures Jonas had seen, York was a fan of flamboyant fashion. He didn’t disappoint in person. The white shirt York was wearing could’ve been sedate if it wasn’t for the large red rose printed on his torso. That red rose was the perfect match to his red pants.
Flaming couldn’t even begin to describe York.
Jonas grinned.
“We’re here.” Teddy smiled as he started towards Jonas. He switched the book in his right hand to his left before stretching out his arm in greeting. “I hope you didn’t wait for too long.”
“I would’ve gladly waited for a longer time.” Jonas swept right past Teddy and his outstretched arm to rush towards York. “You don’t know how eager I was to meet you.”
“Oh!” York smiled. “It’s nice to meet you too.”
Jonas’s breath caught at that smile. My God! The man was beautiful. Jonas cou
ldn’t help himself. He moved forward and dragged York into a tight bear hug. Immediate heat raced through him when he felt York’s body against his. Jonas would’ve loved to stay in York’s arms for hours longer but he couldn’t. Not when his body was already starting to show signs of arousal.
Other men would’ve been uncomfortable with the impromptu hug from a stranger, but York only laughed and said, “I guess you’re excited to see me.”
That meant that he liked Jonas, right? Otherwise he would’ve frowned and pushed him away.
“I am. I am.” Jonas nodded eagerly.
“I told you I’d bring him.” Teddy, who was watching them like a proud father, added, “See. My word is good.”
Jonas almost rolled his eyes. The man was still as much a kiss-ass now as he was when he was his tutor. Ignoring Teddy, Jonas grabbed York’s arm and pulled him towards one of the couches. “Please, sit. Sit.”
“Thank you.” York sat down.
Jonas settled right next to him. There was about five inches of space between them, and Jonas wished he could close that gap. Still, he didn’t want to be too pushy, so he held himself back.
“So, tell me,” Jonas started. Though his focus was on York, he noted that Teddy hadn’t sat down and was instead lingering by the bookshelf. Whatever! Jonas ignored him to continue, “Where have you been all these years? I haven’t seen you since you acted in Death Trap.”
“You know about Death Trap?” York’s eyebrows rose. “No one knows about Death Trap.”
“Of course I know about Death Trap. I’m your biggest fan.” Jonas scooted closer. “I’ve seen everything you’ve been in. Train to Tennessee, Midnight Sun… watched that one like one hundred times. The Village That Never Sleeps, Dorm Room 2… God, you were funny in that one. Chicago, Christmas Nights…. I’ve seen them all.”
“You’re really a fan, aren’t you?” York shifted a little further from Jonas.
“Totally.” Jonas closed the gap between them. “So what have you been doing since Death Trap?”
“This… that.” York shifted away again. “I work as an assistant for a financial advisor now.”
“A personal-” Jonas’s words got drowned out by a sudden slam. Both he and Jonas turned their eyes only to find Teddy bending to pick up a book from the floor.
“Sorry.” Teddy winced sheepishly as he set the book back on the bookshelf. “Fell down.”
What was he even still doing here? Annoyance threaded through Jonas. Narrowing his eyes, he asked, “Weren’t you supposed to leave?”
“Oh, yes!” Teddy said. “I was just about to go.”
“You’re leaving?” York turned surprised eyes to his agent.
“Yeah. Yeah. Don’t worry,” Teddy reassured as he started towards the door. “Jonas will let you know about the project he wants you to work on. He’ll tell you everything.”
“What about-”
“Don’t worry. Don’t worry. You and I can talk tomorrow.” Teddy stopped at the door to turn to Jonas. “You still remember the agreement we have, right?”
Jonas top lip lifted in a sneer. “I remember.”
Of course he remembered the promise. For some reason Teddy seemed to think that being Jonas’s ex-tutor somehow gave him the right to ask for favors. When Teddy had come to Jonas with some sob-story about being in debt, Jonas had been ready to kick the man out on his ass. Who did Teddy think he was? The Red Cross? Even more laughable was Teddy’s suggestion that Jonas ask his father to give him a job at Walcott Management. Ridiculous!
However, when Teddy had started talking about his clients and mentioned York Emerson, Jonas’s ears had perked up. He’d had a hard-on for York for as long as he could remember. How could he not take this opportunity to see him in person and maybe have a little fun too? He’d assured Teddy that he could get him the job at Walcott Management as long as he brought York to meet Jonas. Teddy had eagerly agreed.
“What agreement?” York asked. Both men ignored him.
“You won’t back out of it, right?” Teddy asked Jonas. “You’ll do what you promised, right?”
Of course Jonas wasn’t going to give him a job. Why should he? But he didn’t need to know that. Jonas offered Teddy a toothy grin. “Don’t worry. I’ll do what I promised.”
Before York could ask any more questions, Teddy opened the door and left.
Frowning, York turned to Jonas. “What agreement were you two talking about?”
“Just a little something we’re working on. Nothing concerning you.” Pasting on a bright smile, Jonas turned slightly so his knee brushed York’s. “So what were we talking about? Ah… yes, I remember. You said something about working as an assistant.”
“Yes. It’s a little firm that helps people organized their finances,” York explained. “You’ve probably heard of my boss. She’s YouTube famous. Her name’s Jasmine Mitchell.”
The name sounded vaguely familiar but Jonas wasn’t really interested in the woman. All his focus was on York.
“Very interesting, but not something I ever thought you’d do.” Grinning, Jonas set his hand on York’s thigh. “You seem too bright to be locked in some office job. You belong on a stage.”
“Well, a man’s gotta earn his bread. Speaking of…” York moved his thigh away from Jonas reach. He was now so near the edge of the couch, it was a wonder he didn’t fall off. He continued, “Teddy told me that your company has a part that you’d like me to read for.”
“Oh, that part?” There was no part. Thinking quickly on his feet, Jonas hedged, “Forgive my manners. I haven’t even offered you a drink.”
“That’s okay.”
“No. No. Let me get you something to drink.” Jonas shot to his feet and strode to the bar at the corner of his father’s office. “What will you have? Bourbon? Brandy? Wine? I have everything.”
York thought over it a moment then said. “Water then.”
“Water?” Jonas couldn’t hide his disappointment. What fun was there in water?
“Just water,” York insisted.
“Okay,” Jonas surrendered with a pout.
He reached for a bottle of water from the fridge then poured it into a tall glass. If York wanted water, then he’d get his water. But it would be a different kind of water. Let’s call it Water 2.0. Jonas shifted slightly to block the glass from York’s view then reached into his pocket. He’d come prepared for this eventuality. He took out a transparent sachet carrying a white powder. Trembling slightly, he shook out all the powder into the water. It dissolved almost immediately leaving no trace that the water was tainted.
Grinning, Jonas carried York’s water along with his own glass of bourbon back to their seat.
“Thanks.” York took the glass gratefully.
“You’re welcome.” Jonas settled on the other end of the couch. Eagerly, he watched York take the first sip of water.
“So about that pa-” York suddenly stopped speaking. He smacked his lips then made a face. “Something’s wrong with this water? It tastes funny.”
Immediately, Jonas heart jumped to his throat. “Does it? It’s just bottled water. Maybe you’re not used to the brand.”
York dipped his tongue in then winced. “No, it isn’t the brand.” A moment later, his eyes widened as they met Jonas’s. “You didn’t put something in here, did you?”
“Of course not!” Jonas chuckled. But the chuckle sounded forced even to his ears.
“You put something in it, didn’t you?” York slammed the glass on the coffee-table sending water sloshing over its edge and onto the table’s top. His eyes were furious when they met Jonas’s. “You did, didn’t you?”
Jonas wanted to deny it, but York’s glare told him that he wouldn’t believe him anyway. So he set his glass on the coffee-table and confessed, “Okay, okay. I put something in there?”
“Why in the hell would you do something like that?” York stared at him like he was crazy.
“I just put in a little something to help us have a little
fun.” Jonas scooted closer to York. “You don’t have to be so angry.”
When he tried to put his hand on York’s thigh, York used both hands to shove him away. Jonas fell back into the couch.
“You’re crazy.” York shot to his feet. “I’m leaving.”
“You can’t.” Jonas scrambled to his feet.
Just as York started walking, Jonas grabbed his arm. York immediately spun around, elbow already cocked and swung. His fist crashed into Jonas’s jaw.
Jonas had never felt so much pain in his life. His whole jaw throbbed as if it was being burned.
“Don’t ever call me here again,” York yelled. “I don’t need your part.”
Yes, Jonas heard the words but he didn’t really hear them. He was still in shock. Had this little, flaming, gay shit punched him? Even his father had never set a finger on him. Who the hell did York think he was? Red anger overwhelmed Jonas until it felt like his whole body was one big ball of rage.
When York started towards the door, Jonas moved too. But his first stop was to the golf bag propped next to the couch. He grabbed one of the clubs and rushed towards York.
York never saw it coming. One second he was reaching for the doorknob and the next a golf-club was crashing into his back. York screamed in pain at the first strike of the club, but Jonas didn’t even hear it. How dare he touch him? He was Jonas Walcott, heir to Walcott Management. He swung the club again catching York in the shoulder. With another scream, York fell to his knees.
How dare he punch him! Jonas swung again this time hitting the side of York’s head. There was no sound this time. York simply collapsed forward to lie on the floor. But Jonas didn’t care. He kept swinging the club. And when that wasn’t enough, he kicked York’s prone body several times.
Jonas wasn’t sure how many times or for how long he hit Jonas. Even the sight of blood pooling around the man’s head wasn’t enough to stop him. He only stopped when the red haze lifted. But by then it was too late.
Panting, Jonas looked down at York. Even without turning him, he knew that the man was dead. He’d just killed a man.