The officer stretched my arms behind me, the metal of the handcuffs bit into the tender flesh at my wrists. My pulse raced, and I barely heard the police officer as he recited my Miranda rights.
“You have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer questions. Anything you say may be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future.”
Outside, I heard the siren of another cop car arriving. They began arriving only minutes after Jade called nine-one-one to report Frank’s death. A team of forensic experts were in the back stall, taking photos of Frank’s dead body, and talking among themselves.
“Don’t answer any questions,” Jade was instructing. “Don’t say anything, I mean it.”
A numbness had spread throughout my body, creating a slow-motion movie I was now a part of. I was painfully aware of everything happening around me, yet I kept willing it not to be real.
I wasn’t sure if I nodded in response to Jade or not. The officer turned his head to talk to her.
“Are you his attorney?”
“Yes,” she said. “I’ll be representing him.”
Fuzzy voices on the police officer’s two-way radio blared through, and the officer pressed the button to answer.
Then he was talking to me again. “Do you have anything sharp in your pockets?”
I took a deep breath, sweat beading up on my brow as I shook my head no. He patted me down, and felt around my pockets, finding nothing but keys, my cell phone, and my wallet.
“What’s going to happen?” I choked out.
“I’m taking you to the station,” the officer said. “Keep cooperating and it’ll go smoothly.”
“Kai, I have to stop home, but I won’t be long,” Jade said. “I’ll meet you at the station. Do not answer any questions, got it?”
“Yeah, I got it.”
It was the longest night of my life. I’d never been arrested before. Well, Morrie drove me home a few times after getting into trouble when I was a teenager. Nothing like this had ever happened to me before, and since putting thoughts of revenge against Frank Cooper in the past, I’d never expected to be in this position.
I sat in an interrogation room for what felt like hours, although I’m sure it wasn’t. Two detectives came in to question me, but I told them I was waiting to see my lawyer, and they left.
My mind kept replaying the events of the previous evening, beginning with Frank’s arrival. His back was to me, and I went in to tell him I was closing. The gas pumps were already off, and the till balanced. I didn’t recognize him.
Was his back to me? Or was he facing me? Did it matter? The more I ruminated, the less I felt I knew. They would ask detailed questions, and changing little things might make me look worse than I already did, like I was making it up. I leaned with my elbows on the table, my aching head in my hands.
The facts didn’t matter because I killed him. I didn’t mean to, but it still happened. And I had to pay the price for that, regardless.
The metal door scraped across the floor as it opened, causing a deafening screech, and an officer let Jade in. I sat up straighter as she took the chair next to me at the table.
“You look awful. How are you holding up?” she asked.
“I’m okay,” I said. I picked at some grease under my nail, realizing I hadn’t even had the chance to wash my hands.
“What did they ask you?”
“They asked if I did it.”
She stared at me a minute, then said, “And you said?”
“I told them I wouldn’t say anything until you got here.”
“Okay, good.”
“Jade, are they listening right now?”
She shook her head. “No, this is a privileged conversation, and they’re not allowed to. They’ll be back soon, though, since they know I’m here. We need to talk about what happened.”
“I told you what happened,” I said with a hard swallow. “I did it-I killed him.”
“Well, you’re not going to say that again.”
“But it’s the truth.”
Her mouth formed a thin line. I don’t think I’d ever seen her look so stern. “I need to know everything, Kai. Before you left for boarding school, you told me to stay away from him, but you never told me why. Now, he’s lying dead on your floor. You need to tell me what made you do something like this.”
My insides were quivering, and I was suddenly too hot. I’d never told Jade what Frank did. I didn’t think I’d ever have to.
“Spill it, Kai.”
I worked on the grease under my nail again. My foot bounced like it had its own mind. “There was a price for the free beer.”
Her left eyebrow went up while I reluctantly began my story. As much as I wanted to, I didn’t leave anything out. So now she knew it all. My counselor back in boarding school once told me I’d feel relieved if I told Jade or my parents what Frank did. That was a lie.
She sat silent, her eyes large, her face a mask of shock.
“Jade? I’m so sorry. I didn’t know how to tell you.”
“Well, you should have found a way!”
She was right. I expected the anger, although, I was hoping she somehow wouldn’t be.
“I know. I thought I was protecting you.”
She shook her head, then moved her chair back a little, creating more space between us. “That’s just stupid, Kai.”
My chest tightened. All I was thinking about was how everything was my fault. She was right. She had the right to know back when we were kids. How could I have been so dumb to let Frank do this to us in the first place? Anyone in their right mind would’ve wondered why they were getting free beer and a place to hang.
It struck me hard when I realized if I’d told my parents when it happened, Frank probably would have been put away, and he’d never have come to my station. He would not be dead right now because of me.
“I’m not known for my brains,” I finally whispered. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am. I really messed everything up.”
It looked like she was about to cry when she said, “More than you know.”
“Look, Jade, I understand if you can’t represent me now.”
“As much as I’d like to tell you to find some other lawyer through your rich daddy, I’m not going to. You deserve all my wrath, Kai. Right now, though, I’m here to do a job.”
“I don’t have any defense.”
“The bad news is that if these recordings come out while you’re on trial, it shows motive.”
“Is there good news?”
“Yes, actually. Frank showed up out of the blue, and you never meant to hurt him. We’ll find out what the charges are, and I’ll do my best to negotiate that down.”
“How can it be negotiated down?”
Her stern look returned. “Whether you’re guilty or innocent, my job is to get the best possible outcome for you.”
We would have spoken more, but the two detectives returned, sitting across from us at the table.
The questions were rapid fire with Jade telling me when to stay quiet and when to answer. If I answered with more than a few words, she interrupted me, not letting me continue.
There were some intense moments, yet Jade took care of business at every turn. I wouldn’t say things looked great from my perspective, but it was comforting to know she had my back.
Several hours later, I was charged with voluntary manslaughter, and Jade got them to bring it down to involuntary manslaughter. They booked me and put me in a cell to await a bail hearing.
I was able to see my parents the next day, through a cold grate and window. The look on my mom’s face killed me. I resisted the urge to squeeze my eyes shut so I wouldn’t have to see her distress.
My father was stoic, as usual, but when he spoke, the emotion in his voice was undeniable.
“Are you sure Jade will be adequate? Just because you’re friends doesn’t mean you have to use her services. I know a lawyer that can help,” Dad said.
I wouldn’t exactly have called Jade my friend at the moment, and I didn’t blame her for being angry. After I came clean to her, she made it clear she was doing what she thought was right, not because it was a favor to me.
So, I told him, “Jade’s doing a good job. And she knows me.”
“What was Jade doing there?” Mom asked. “It will look bad if you called your lawyer before you called the police.”
“No, she walked in right after it happened. I didn’t know she was coming over.”
“Okay, that’s good,” she said. “Has Ronnie been here?”
I shook my head, ignoring the brick in my stomach when I thought about Ronnie. “I tried calling but she wouldn’t accept the call.”
Mom looked so miserable for me, I wished I could reach through the glass to give her a reassuring hug. I wasn’t feeling especially hopeful, but she didn’t have to know that.
“Time’s up,” the guard said.
I told my parents not to worry, and walked, escorted, back to my cell.
My cell was the size of a bathroom, and smelled like mold, stale lemon cleaner, and sweaty bodies. It was putrid, but a reflection of the rottenness I felt in my soul, self-inflicted. I deserved this.
I couldn’t get the vision of dead-Frank out of my head. The smell of blood mingling with grease and burnt oil. The halo of blood seeping around his squashed head.
The next morning, I was in a prison transport vehicle, heading to the courthouse for my bail hearing. Who knew what would happen there? Would I get to go home? Would I rot in jail for my crime?
The barbed wire fencing the vehicle passed said, “Yes, you belong here.”
The poses used in this chapter are HERE. 🙂
Thank you so much for reading, liking, lurking, and commenting, my friends.
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“There was a price for the free beer.” I loved how you put in that line after calling the chapter exactly that. But boy, is this a mess. I’m glad Jade is helping him, but she’s still so young and inexperienced, I thought the same as Bram about hiring some experienced lawyer he can afford.
This is a mess, for sure. I think Bram was right, too, about getting an attorney that is more experienced.
Oh boy, what a mess! Jade is between a rock and a hard place. She has a conflict of interest and probably shouldn’t take the case, but I understand why she is doing it. She cares for Kai and wants to help him although she is pissed and rightfully so. Kai doesn’t know which end is up. This isn’t gonna turn out Well. 😩
I have no idea where is this is going to go!
I agree Jade has a conflict of interest. But I suspect she cares a lot for Kai still and doesn’t trust anyone else to help him. Probably should have not taken his case but I see why she’s sticking with it.
Thank you, Heather. I think you’re right about Jade on all accounts. She can’t abandon him, especially since she was there right after the murder, and she happens to be an attorney. Yet, this is a conflict of interest, too.
Whew this is a mess. I’m really trying see the silver lining here. I also think as wonderful as Jade is she has a conflict of interest now. I think she’d be okay with perhaps assisting but he needs attorney’s that have no skin in the game.
Thank you so much. A mess is right. lol I think that’s a good point about Jade and having a conflict of interest. She’s more than a bystander, and she’s also been victimized by Frank. Even though she only just found out, it seems she should step aside. I think she’d be okay with that, too, because she wants Kai to have the best defense possible.
Wow! What a mess.
Thanks, Jo. 🙂 Hopefully, not for long.
Oh… I wonder if he’ll stay in prison for a long time or if there’s more to his story yet. It’s understandable why he did this but I hate seeing him so out of it.
Thank you, Raymond. That’s a good question. We will soon see. 🙂 Hopefully, all will be well.
Creo que habrá una sorpresa emocionante. Estaré atento al siguiente capítulo. Ya lo espero con bastante emoción.
Muchas gracias. Me alegra que estés disfrutando de la historia y deseando que llegue el próximo capítulo. Puede que tengas razón sobre una gran sorpresa. Pronto lo veremos. 😀
Me encanta la historia y la sigo con interés. Estoy seguro de que todos esperamos un capítulo lleno de sorpresas. Saludos.
Eres muy amable. Saludos. xo
Wow, wow, wow.
I can’t even process.
At least Kai shouldn’t have a problem making bail.
But I might have to agree with Bram. Is Jade the right lawyer for him? I don’t doubt her skills, but I think that she might be better as a character witness.
Thank you so much 🙂 You’re right about Kai and bail. I think that won’t be the problem. That’s a great suggestion about making Jade a character witness. I like that idea a lot!
Cool prison set Kymber 🙂 https://youtu.be/HWCK0hCxGjI there could be trouble ahead
LOL Thank you, Darren! Love the link, too. 😀
I really hope Jade can work some magic. Involuntary manslaughter doesn’t sound great. Get him out! Maybe there can be a big media buzz about it, petitions and people with placards outside. Or maybe he can do a prison break style escape. My mind is going everywhere with this one!x
Thank you, Caz. I hope Jade can work some magic, too. Get him out is right! I like your ideas there about a media buzz, petitions, and protests. Or a prison break! That would be exciting! xo
Yiiiiiikes. Man, I kinda feel bad for him. His life had turned around, but the past always as a way of catching up with you.
Thank you, Jess. The past does that, unfortunately, you are right. Hopefully, everything will turn out all right.
I feel bad for him. He wasn’t going to do it. That guy just showed up and goaded him into losing temper. I wonder if there’s any sort of recording at Kai’s shop to show what happened.
Thank you, Violincat. Kai had totally left it in the past until Frank showed up acting that way. That’s a good question about recordings. 😀 We’ll soon find out.
I knew this was bound to happen. I’m anxious about the outcome probably as much as Kai is right about now. Jade’s negotiation skills are amazing!
Thank you so much. I’m anxious, too, and I already know what’s going to happen! lol Jade is the bomb! 😀 I am really loving her character and sim. Its so much fun playing her.
Wow. It feels so strange to me that being a good lawyer involves lying, but I guess that’s reality. What would be the consequence of the truth coming out?
Thank you, CT. I’m no expert, but it seems to me being a defense attorney would be especially hard if your client is guilty because you can’t tell anyone and have to defend the person regardless, giving them the best outcome you can. Without Jade, I think Kai would have told the detectives the truth, but I’m not sure the outcome in this case would be any different. If an attorney ever read this story, I’d be interested in knowing. As it is, I’m just going on research, and then deciding this world isn’t based on any particular legal system.
The horror that is prison really came through, Kymber. Yikes.
Thank you so much, Jacqui.
Just Wow! This story is full of life’s grit in a way that reminds me of Dante’s Divine Comedy when Dante is escorted through Hell, the Inferno. The images and storyline is first class all the way. Kai is the flawed hero that pulls out our emotions. His internal dialog is not the thoughts of a criminal but of someone trapped in a tragedy of their own doing. This is another emotive and captivating generational story told in only the way you can tell it, Kymber. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Thank you, Dan. Your words always encourage me so. I appreciate you so much. There was a time when Kai did entertain the thought of killing Frank, so I think this is especially surreal for him. I am looking forward to revealing the rest of his story. 😀
I look forward to it. I thought everything leading up to this was best seller novel material. It really is gripping and we can all relate to how life serves up some strong challenges. I’m rootin’ for them. Poor Jade too, what a blow to find out this way what was going on. Right on, Write on! I know Cesare is proud of you.
Are you sure because I’ve been sensing a lot of judgment from him. hahaha 😂 I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the story, and even happier you’re rooting for them.
Uh ooh! Maybe Cesare is trying to see where poor Kai ends up and he’s a bit uptight about the possibilities. He’ll know before we do. 😉
He sure will. LOL 😀 I think I figured it out. I forgot to fill his bird feeders. lol He’s not happy if there is no cat TV. 😀
Waaa haaa haaaa! Now I know that isn’t funny to Cesare so please don’t tell him I laughed about his cat TV.
My lips are sealed, friend. hahahaha
Whew 😅 thank you Kymber.
“My cell was the size of a bathroom, and smelled like mold, stale lemon cleaner, and sweaty bodies. It was putrid, but a reflection of the rottenness I felt in my soul, self-inflicted. I deserved this.”
I think this line speaks volumes to the damage Frank did to Kai. In this regard, one can’t help but be happy he is dead, although rotting in his own cell might have been satisfactory too.
Thank you so much, Bee. I worked so hard on that comparison. 😀 I’m glad it shows the damage Frank really did. Rotting in a cell would have worked, too. lol 😀
Yikes. Well, at least Kai didn’t try and run from what he did – that would have made it worse. I’m on the edge of my seat waiting to learn what’ll happen to him. 😱 Because I’m afraid that nothing good will come from this. We’re only three chapters in and it’s so dramatic already! Can’t wait for more. 😁
Thank you, Louise. 😀 I’m glad you’re enjoying Kai’s story thus far. I’d say it started with a bang. haha At first, I thought, “What if Kai just hid the body?” Then, Bee said she didn’t think he’d ever get over the guilt. She was right, I think. So, we’re going this route, and I can’t wait for you to find out what happens!
Seeing him like this makes me think: what would Memphis and Leiv think if they ever met him?😭
Thank you, Hilly. That’s a good question. I think they’d be really upset for him.
Poor Kai. Oh doubt Jade is super angry with him. But I’m wondering IS she the best defense for him. Bram can certainly afford high priced lawyers. I get that she k owns him and now he won’t have to tell the story again but danggggg….
Thank you, Audrey 🙂 That is an excellent point you make about Jade and if she is the best defense for Kai. It’s true that Bram and Kara could hire a dream team. I reckon we’ll see if he needs a different attorney or not as the case progresses. 😀
So sad….
😰😢 Hopefully, there is a silver lining around the corner somewhere.