The Lies I Told(102)

“I called Marisa several times, but she’s shut me out. I do know she moved out of her apartment and found a new place in the Fan. She’s still seeing Alan.”

“Good for her.” Marisa always came out on top for a little while.

“It’s her word against Jack’s,” Jo-Jo said. “At least that’s what Jack’s attorney said.”

I’d have made the same argument. Perhaps that was why my practice had actually seen a bump since all the news about David and Jack broke. My clientele was less reputable these days, but a thief was a thief regardless of the cost of their suit. “I still don’t understand why you called me.”

“Jack wants to talk to you.”

“Why?”

“He wants to tell you he didn’t help David.”

“David’s testimony is compelling.”

“I don’t believe David. I think he’s sick, and he threw Jack’s name into the mix because they’d known each other at camp.”

“Aren’t you bothered that your husband tried to kill Marisa?”

“She was drunk. Out of control. I think seeing David did a number on her. She was far more fragile than I realized.”

Part of me wanted to rise to Marisa’s defense. Old habits, I supposed. However, her credibility wouldn’t have been in question now if she’d made better choices. Which was a shame, because the pressure of the trial would eventually get to her, and she’d start drinking again. I was tired of cleaning up after my baby sister, but I would rise to the occasion if she called and asked.

“I’m not going to speak to Jack or on his behalf. And I will never forgive him,” I said.

“He’s a good man who’s made mistakes in the past.”

Could she really be this clueless? “Honey, he did more than make mistakes. And for the record, I hope they lock his ass up for years.”

Jo-Jo’s face contorted with shock. “You two were friends.”

“Not very good ones, it seems.”

“Can’t you talk to Marisa and get her to testify on his behalf?”

And I thought I had a big set of brass ones. “No.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “If not for Jack or me, do it for the baby.”

“Clare’s baby or yours?” I shook my head, amazed at the pure bitterness lacing the words.

She paled, and her hand went to her belly. “Jack needs another chance.”

There weren’t enough chances in a lifetime for Jack. No matter how many times he was saved, he would find a new way to break the rules. “I’m surprised you haven’t run for the hills, Jo-Jo. Why haven’t you put as much space between you and Jack as possible?”

“I won’t run. He’s my husband and I love him.”

“Jack won’t do much jail time, and he will be back in your life.”

She swiped away a tear. “That’s a good thing. He loves me.”

Love. I could write a book on it. I started toward the door. My hand on the knob, I turned and looked back at Jo-Jo. “Be careful of Jack, darling. He’s a sweet talker, but he’s a scorpion. And sooner or later, they do bite.” I grinned. “Takes one to know one.”





EPILOGUE


MARISA

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

5:00 p.m.

When I arrived at the small rental house in the historic Bon Air district, I smiled at the fresh cluster of pumpkins on the front porch steps. Alan. He’d done little things like this since we moved into the space three months ago.

On my best days, I dreamed of a future with him, but I was smart enough to know that all any of us really had was now. And today was really good. And I was willing to bet tomorrow would be, too.

Alan opened the front door. He was smiling, clearly pleased with the pumpkins. “How’d it go?”

“It’s all over but the crying,” I joked.

He crossed the porch, took the bags from my shoulder, and kissed me. “Did Richards look nervous?”

“He was beaming.” I’d never seen Richards truly happy, and it gave me hope. “And so was his bride. They leave for Florida tomorrow.”

He lingered close. I knew he was worried about me. “The office will need him back in January for Jack’s trial.”

Jack’s trial would be in February, and David’s case would be heard in March. “Do you think they’ll get away with it?” I asked.

He pulled me into his arms, and I allowed my body to relax into him. “They’ll both do time. Practically speaking, I’ll bet money Jack cops a plea because he wants to be out for his kid. David will do serious time.”

“All these years I thought Jack was my friend, but he was just keeping me close. I guess it was a kind of thrill to him, seeing me tipping out of balance.”

He rested his chin on my head. “You knew the killer was out there. You kept pressing when everyone gave up.” He kissed me. “That takes stones, Stockton.”

Pressing and pushing came naturally to me. “It was harder living with the unknown.”

“No more unknowns.”

I kissed him, grateful for his optimism. Life was full of unknowns. But these days the emotions weren’t so jagged. I wasn’t perfect; nor was I ever free and clear of the booze. Never would be. But 219 days of sobriety was no small feat. And today, right now, I was willing to call my life a win.