“Ms. Michaels is merely a person who came forward. We have to do our due diligence to solve all cases. I wasn’t aware that she had been banished from the club, however, I’ll make note,” The detective answers, not looking up as he goes back through his file.
I’m waiting for Jenna to respond. She doesn’t. I figure I know the answer when out of the corner of my eye I see Marcum raise his hand in a gun like fashion and aim it at Jenna. He acts as if he pulls the trigger and lifts his hand. Jenna goes white. Perhaps she’s not quite that clueless now. A pity she couldn’t have smartened up beforehand.
“My problem is the bodies of the Hernandez brothers,” the detective begins again.
“I wasn’t aware they died?” I ask playing stupid. Marcum starts rubbing my back again, and I let his warmth ward off the chill surrounding my heart.
“Well, we were working under the opinion that they too had just escaped, especially after your statement. However, Ms. Michaels does paint a colorful tale about what might have really happened after the prison break when you and Mr. Kincaid were walking through the marshes. She seems to be under the impression that Mr. Kincaid shot the Hernandez brothers in cold blood. Interesting, don’t you think?”
“I think Ms. Michaels has a very colorful imagination,” I tell him standing up. Detective De Luca is definitely fishing, and I’m not about to take the bait. This interview wasn’t about me giving my statement again. This interview is a straight-up witch hunt. I need to leave before I mess something up unintentionally. “I imagine when one spends the majority of their life on their back with their legs spread they have to dream up fairytales, Detective De Luca.”
“You cunt! I’ll destroy you! You think you can waltz into my old club and take everything from me that I had spent years working for? Max is mine!”
I shake my head. The only good thing is that her rant just now added credence to my story. I can tell that by the look that the detective shoots her.
“I’m late for a doctor’s appointment now. If you’ll excuse me, detective, I think I’ve donated enough of my time to this.”
Marcum helps me up, and we go back to the door, not bothering to wait for the man’s response. The door is open, and I’m outside, finally breathing air that doesn’t contain Jenna when the guy finally responds.
“We’re probably done, Ms. Oliver. My men are combing through the marshlands outside the prison today. I’ve instructed them to pay close attention to lands close to your fiancé’s land.”
“It’s sad when state agencies waste taxpayer’s money, but by all means search away. Goodbye, Detective De Luca.”
I hold it together as we leave the station. I even manage to keep my cool outside of the station. It’s when we make it to Marcum’s car that I let my fear bleed through.
“Are you sure they won’t find any sign of the Hernandez brothers, Marcum?”
“Positive. Got it all handled. How about we go to that doctor’s appointment now and check on my granddaughter.”
“It could be a boy,” I tell him trying to shake off my fears.
“It could, but it won’t be. It’ll be a girl with her mama’s grit.”
I think on his answer and smile. It’s a huge compliment. Marcum likes me. I suddenly get a vision of a little girl with her daddy’s dark locks and eyes, and I like it. I like it so much, I kind of hope Marcum is right.
42
Max
It’s a fucking free for all. I’m being sentenced for my escape. Nothing is going to plan, and that’s because of one woman. Jenna. The bitch is laying low again, but only after tipping off the local news stations about the connection between the Vipers and our governor and how a deal was being brokered to get a pardon for me because I was the President’s kid. The governor had been steadfastly denying it, but the fucker had also kept a journal, like a fucking moron. I figure my shot at getting out of here in a month; to be with my family, is gone.