Page 113 of The Lies I Told
“When you’re gone, Richards, the next guy isn’t going to care as much about Clare’s case as you. The next guy didn’t walk the crime scene, talk to everyone when their stories were fresh, or watch the pathologist cut open my sister. You’ve skin in this game. If you didn’t, you’d have ignored my call.”
“Let me ask around about David Welbourne. I’ll make calls today. But until I know more, stay away from him.”
Marisa shook her head. “How long do I have to wait?”
And now I was negotiating with her. “Give me twenty-four hours.”
“And then you’ve five days before you’re gone?”
“I don’t turn into a pumpkin, Marisa. I’ll still be in the city for a little while longer. And last I heard, phones and computers are fairly efficient.”
A grin tugged her lips. “Okay.”
I jabbed a finger at her. “If you don’t stay sober, the deal is off.”
“That was a one-time thing.”
“I said the same to myself more times than I could count.”
“Believe me, that’s all I hear at the meetings.It won’t happen again. It won’t.” She mimicked a child’s whiny tone. “I’m not prepared to make a lifetime guarantee, but there won’t be a slip until you retire.”
Six whole days of sobriety. I knew she meant it. All the best alcoholics repented well. And I wasn’t going to judge, because the demon lived in me, and he was always hungry. “I’ll call you.”
“Fair enough.”
I met her gaze, holding it, hoping I could burn sense into her. “Give me twenty-four hours.”
“Deal.”
47
MARISA
Sunday, March 20, 2022
1:00 p.m.
My intention was to honor my bargain with Richards. I’d made the promise with honor in my heart. I wanted to give him his twenty-four hours, but when he left my apartment, that restless energy that always buzzed in my system tilted to a new level when Paul texted again, still looking for that drink. I deleted the message, but suddenly computer work would not satisfy me, cleaning the place felt like a waste of time, and the apartment walls shrank closer together as the seconds ticked.
I heard Alan’s door across the hallway open and close. He’d said to come over anytime. And now, at least he’d keep me from rushing down to David’s. I grabbed my keys, locked my door behind me, and crossed to his door. I knocked.
Determined footsteps moved to the door before it opened to Alan. He was wearing his dark suit pants, jacket, and tie. “Marisa.”
“You said to stop by.”
He regarded me with unveiled curiosity.
I shifted. “You been to church?”
“Deposed a cop. How did your visit with Richards go?”
“He told me you two know each other.”
“We crossed paths in a case a few years ago. For the record, I was representing the man he was trying to put away.”
“You going to invite me in and tell me about the case?”
“I was representing a rapist and murderer.”
