Dirty Truths (21 page)

CHAPTER 26

Silence filled the little room but for the hum from the bright fluorescent light hanging over the metal table.

Kristina looked away as they collected their thoughts.

Sergeant Jacobs did a better job of hiding his shock, but Bad Cop stared at her open-mouthed. They exchanged glances and then back at her.

Kristina offered a nervous smile. Again, she didn’t have to act, scared they’d smell the lie. Now that she’d made the leap, she wouldn’t be tipped over by guilt. Daniel deserved the grave she was about to dig for him.

Sergeant Jacobs pulled a little notebook from his shirt pocket and clicked his pen. “You know what’s in it? Did you look inside?”

“Sort of. I mean— I opened it and shifted things around a little. Underneath a bunch of stuff wrapped in dirty old cloths, there was an old knife. I thought it was weird and got a little scared to be honest. I put everything back and closed the box right away. It’s his stuff. I told him to come get it after that. I guess I’m probably guilty of something. I mean, I went through the box and I should have told someone what I saw. I’m not stupid. I know it means something bad. God, I’ve been so scared.” Kristina paused.

A skeptical look passed between them. They didn’t believe her.

Sergeant Jacob’s face reddened and frowned. “So, you don’t have a relationship with Wade Bowen? Is that what you’re saying?”

“No, I don’t have a relationship, not beyond friendship and that’s pretty casual.”

“I’m sorry, forgive my bluntness.” Sergeant Jacobs rubbed his chin, as though uncomfortable with what he was about to ask. “Are you and Wade Bowen not lovers? This is the information we’ve received from more than one source. Reliable sources.”

Blushing, she looked away.
Shit.
She’d weighed her lying; figuring a bit of the truth would satisfy them. If their source had evidence, her deposition would amount to nothing. “I’m—shit, I’m so embarrassed. A while ago, when he and Amy were having problems, we did sleep together. It was just a couple of times. They worked out their issues and he went back to her. I felt so awful about it. I don’t do things like that normally. I kind of hoped no one had to know about it.”

Bad Cop snorted. “You call that barely knowing someone?”

“Sorry, I guess I’m confusing things more. We really don’t talk a lot and those times we were… intimate, I was pretty drunk and messed up. I’d just left Daniel and he was still coming to the house and threatening me. I just gave in to the stress I suppose. I’m not proud of what I did, and I’m sorry I lied to you about it. I just—it’s not a shining moment in my life. I wanted to forget about it. Wade and I haven’t spoken for a while. I took a leave of absence from work because it’s gotten rather uncomfortable. Amy found out and I felt so guilty. I found out she and Daniel had been messing around, I don’t think it was more than a few times, but I know they still talk. I was so confused then. I hate that I did it, but I did. She said a lot of mean things, and I understand she was hurt. Mostly I worried because she promised to make my life hell. I just thought it would be best to stay away from both of them. Wade and Amy. God, this sounds like some awful soap opera, doesn’t it?” Kristina wiped an imaginary tear from her eye and bit her lip.

Sergeant Jacobs smiled and his eyes softened. He leaned over to his partner and whispered something in his ear. Bad Cop shrugged, and then nodded. They compared their notes.

Kristina relaxed, slumping into the uncomfortable chair. They’d bought it. She waited for the rest of their questions, trying to remain calm. Now that they swallowed the bait, she wanted to run. She didn’t want to risk stumbling and losing her advantage.

“You understand how we might be a little skeptical knowing you lied about this relationship. But I do get why you hesitated.”

Kristina nodded.

Bad Cop continued. “I need honesty here. Understand? You lie to us now and it will come back to haunt you. Everything comes out in the wash one way or another. None of the information you give us is going to be broadcasted anywhere. We are investigating some very serious crimes and I’m sure you want to see justice served.”

Indeed, she did. And justice would definitely be served. To Daniel. “I’m sorry. I was too embarrassed to tell you about me and Wade. I don’t want to obstruct justice or whatever it’s called. Please, ask me anything and I’ll answer the best I can.”

Sergeant Jacobs stood and walked around the table. “Tell us about your ex-husband. What was your relationship like?”

This is an easy one.
“Oh, well I suppose you’d have the police reports. Daniel was very abusive, that’s why I filed for divorce. I was afraid for my life at the end.”

“And now?” Jacobs asked.

“Now? I’m still afraid of him. He’s hurt me a few times and he’s done things, terrible things. He raped me, but I can’t prove it because I didn’t report it. He said he’d kill me if I told anyone. I—I saw the knife and… he’s a scary person. I didn’t even think about why he had it there. I didn’t want to. I try to keep him happy. Then he has no reason to hurt me. So when he told me to keep the box I didn’t question it. I did wonder why he didn’t just take it with him. I mean, he took everything else that wasn’t nailed down. I noticed it was gone and I assumed he came and got it while I was away. To be honest, I was glad to see it gone.”

They made notes. Bad Cop looked up and raised an eyebrow. “Anything else? What about his job? Friends?”

“Oh, I don’t know much about that. Daniel was always very secretive and it’s not like I could ask anything. I mentioned one of his friends once. I think I said the guy made me nervous and he sprained my arm when he wrenched it behind my back. He told me to mind my own business and I did.” She shrugged and took a shaky breath. “He’s engaged to someone else now. I suspected he was seeing her during our marriage. I found out he had rented her an apartment. I can give you her work number if you want to talk to her. I don’t think she’ll be willing to talk to you anywhere else but here. She’s pretty timid and does whatever he tells her to do. I think he hits her too.”

Bad Cop chewed his pen and stared.

She’d been honest for much of the discussion about her marriage. She didn’t have to paint Daniel as a bad person. He really was.

They continued to pepper her with questions, often repeating them more than once; when did Daniel leave the box and what exactly did he tell her about it? Kristina kept her answers vague. She knew she was terrible at lying and didn’t want to have to remember too many details.

Her stomach rolled. A faint twinge of guilt tugged at the edges of her mind but then thought of Wade. She imagined him smiling down at her, moonlight streaming through the bedroom window illuminating his crooked smile and the dimple in his cheek. Her guilt disappeared. She felt his breath on her neck as though he were behind her right then, whispering into her ear, promising forever. Kristina sat straighter in the chair. She’d do anything for that promise.

CHAPT
ER 27

Something was wrong. He’d drawn the curtains to block out the brightness of the full moon and the bedroom was still shrouded in darkness, but something was amiss. Slowly Wade sat up, his gaze moving to the empty pillow next to his. Amy had got up at some point and he hadn’t heard her. Not unusual, but given recent events he cursed himself for falling into such a deep sleep.

He lay back against the pillow and stared up at the ceiling. A shuffling noise drifted up from the rooms below. She must have gone downstairs. Maybe she planned to go see Carl. Then another noise brought him suddenly alert again. A heavy tread on the stairs. A pause. Wade sighed. It was time.

The bedroom door swung open. Two police officers, in vests and helmets, charged through with their guns drawn. Wade smiled and sat up, carefully arranging the blankets around his waist before folding both arms behind his head.

The officers exchanged glances.

Wade suppressed a chuckle. “Let me guess, you have a warrant and you are now searching my house. Is this a social visit? It makes my heart all fluttery knowing you guys missed me so much you had to break in. You’re so sweet.”

“Very funny,” the officer on the right motioned with his gun. “Stand up slowly, hands where we can see them.”

“All right. But, I don’t usually get company in the middle of the night, so I’m afraid I’m not exactly dressed for the occasion.” Wade kept his hands high and threw his legs over the edge of the bed. He kept his gaze on the officers, grinning as he stood. “Guess there’s no need to search me.”

Wade caught the look that passed between them. He vaguely recognized one, but the room was too dark to be sure. Thomas said they’d try to make sure their guy was in on the bust when it happened, to ensure they found what they should.

“Get dressed,” the officer on the left ordered. “Where’s the light switch?”

“Next to the door. On the right.”

Wade blinked. He knelt down, keeping one hand high and picked up the jeans he’d discarded next to the bed only hours earlier.

“Can I lower my hands to put these on, or would someone like to help me? I must ask you to be careful with the zipper.”

The officer on the right walked over, his gun pointed at Wade’s chest, and took the pants from him. He shook them and, satisfied they contained nothing dangerous, he handed them back. “Put them on so we can get this over with.”

Wade pulled his jeans on and they escorted him downstairs. He wondered why they didn’t cuff him. The last time they’d raided the house he’d been cuffed and hauled out the door before he even knew what was happening. The hallway remained dark but the lights in the kitchen spilled over the stairs. Where was Amy?

As he rounded the bottom of the stairs, a flush of anger heated his skin. They had torn the house apart. At least a dozen officers roamed the lower level, searching every nook and cranny. The freezer stood wide open, its contents on the floor.

He shook his head and glanced at the officer who appeared to be in charge, the only one who stood still, talking on a cell phone. “I hardly think it’s necessary to destroy my home. I would have been quite willing to help you find whatever it is you’re searching for.”

The officer flipped the phone shut and smiled back. His dark hair curled at his collar, the vest made his chest look enormous. He stood about Wade’s height and his dark eyes leveled him with a gaze that dared him to get cocky. Wade never could resist a dare. In fact, he planned to make sure they put him in jail; it was the only way his plan would work.

“I’d like you to sit right there.” He pointed to the table. “Keep your hands where we can see them and your mouth shut.”

“Sure, but can I ask what it is I’ve done?”

“We have reason to believe—in fact we’re certain—you and your associates have been in the business of selling illegal drugs and weapons, among other things.”

Wade snorted and allowed the officer behind him to nudge him toward the table. He walked around to sit on a chair positioned against the wall. “My associates? Boy, I’m an important man.”

“You were.” The officer turned and clasped his hands behind his back, his gaze on the activity around them. But he remained tense, as though expecting Wade to do something shady any moment.

Wade sat back, careful to keep his hands on the table, while the police searched his home. He knew they’d find something. He’d planted it, hoping Amy would seize the chance to set him up. Tempted to tell them where they could find it, he bit his tongue as they dumped cabinets and removed cushions from the L-shaped sofa in the family room. Several officers moved upstairs, boxes and bags ready for any evidence that might pop up. They had turned on every light in the house. Wade wondered where Amy had gotten to. He hoped they’d found her a safe house. It would make things easier. They wouldn’t have to search for her. One carefully set fire and bye-bye Amy.

They wouldn’t actually slap the cuffs on him until they found what they needed. The last time they searched his house they went ahead and shackled him. Boy, were there a lot of red faces and disciplinary actions for the officers involved, when they found nothing to pin on him. It was taking them an obscenely long time to do their search. Their guy on the inside knew where to look, but he’d been instructed only to go for it if his peers drew a blank.

Voices from upstairs, loud and excited. The man in charge glanced at Wade and raised a brow. “Let’s see what we’ve found,” he murmured and walked to the stairs.

Another officer walked to stand over him, his gun drawn. He waited until his superior had disappeared upstairs before turning his gaze. The slight nod told Wade all he needed to know. This was his man. Wade looked away and to the front door. Two cruisers and a wagon waited outside. Shoot, they’d called out the Calvary just for him. He felt honored. Amy had really outdone herself. Strange she hadn’t stuck around to gloat.

His thoughts drifted to Kristina, and an icy hand clutched his gut. Had they searched her house too? He looked to the officer next to him, but the man stared straight ahead. Wade couldn’t ask him anything anyway. If Kristina were in trouble there was little he could do, except hope she didn’t panic.

The bustle of activity in the rooms above him increased.

Wade fidgeted.

The officer glanced at him.

He smiled. “So, nice night, eh?”

The man’s gaze darted around the room before he spoke. “It is, a shame we couldn’t be near the water where there’s at least a breeze instead of out here in the middle of nowhere. I know a great spot, a bridge in town where you can sit and feel the wind on your face. Haven’t been there in a while.”

“Yeah, I like the water but Amy hates the bugs. I had to stop going so often.”

The officer nodded. He looked too young to wear the uniform but Wade knew from what Thomas told him he was wise beyond his years. If he wasn’t, the Brotherhood wouldn’t have paid his way into Law Enforcement. Wade’s eyes drifted to the nameplate below his badge. Jacobs.

“Not fond of bugs either. Where you’re going there won’t be nothing like that, maybe a rat or two. No lovely ladies either. I bet you’re going miss those.”

Wade nodded. “I bet I will too. But then, you guys have to pin something on me first.”

“Oh we will,” he smiled and looked to the door. “You know what’s strange about this place? I never hear the birds. I see lots of them, but they never sing. I’m not from around here, transferred in from Toronto.”

“Hmm.”

“I hear birds singing all day long down there, even with all the traffic and sirens, but here, they don’t seem so chatty. I thought you’d hear more wildlife in the sticks.”

“I guess they’re shy.”

“I saw one today that seemed pretty rare. It had the prettiest green eyes. Red feathers too. Gorgeous bird. Thought for sure it’d start squawking any minute, but it didn’t chirp at all.”

“Maybe it had nothing to say.”

“Maybe I asked it to sing the wrong tune.” The officer shrugged.

Relief flowed through Wade. They’d tried Kristina and she didn’t give them a thing. He smiled at the comparison of her to a bird and thought she might not like it. He wondered what this guy would consider Amy to be, and snorted as he imagined a crow. Yes, that would be Amy.

Wade turned to footsteps on the stairs. Four officers rounded the bottom with boxes in their arms, avoiding his gaze. The last to descend was the man in charge, the cocky prick. Wade nodded as he stepped off the last stair and into the kitchen, cuffs in hand. “I see you’ve found what you were looking for.”

He nodded and motioned to the officer who’d stood next to Wade. The man took Wade’s arm and pulled him up. “Hands.”

They
cuffed him. He listened silently as they read his rights. The officer rattled off the charges and Wade did his best too look disappointed. Darn, he’d be spending some time in jail. In fact, he expected to serve a couple of years before they were done, but any amount of time would be worth the reward. Freedom and Kristina.

They nudged him forward and Wade followed without resisting. An officer waited at the door, opening it as they approached. Amy stood in front of the porch, two officers at her side. Their eyes locked.

“Sorry, I had to do it. I just can’t live like this anymore,” she said, wringing her hands.

The sun had begun to rise, and over the empty field bordering the left side of the property a pink fog drifted. Wade smiled and looked back to his wife as they urged him to the waiting cruiser.

“Bye Amy, say hello to Karma for me, will you?” he murmured.

Her eyes widened and she paled.

Wade turned. Chuckling he let them lead him to the cruiser. He didn’t look back. He wanted to remember his wife as she was at that moment, as reality hit her like a brick.