Page 126 of The Lies I Told
His face was calm, but even when he’d been breaking up barroom fights at J.J.’s Pub, he’d never gotten upset. “She told me you went to see David.”
“Just a visit. To talk about engagement pictures.” I wanted to keep my theories about David between Richards and me for now.
He moved toward the counter, so sure of himself, as if he belonged here. But that was Jack. I’d never seen him endure an uncomfortable moment. “Marisa. You okay? You look rattled.”
“I’m fine. How did you get into my apartment? Where’s Jo-Jo?”
“She called me and told me you were upset. I told her not to worry about you. And I own this building. Having a master key is one of the perks.”
“You bought the entire building? When?”
His grin broadened. “Last year. Business has been good.”
I knew him well enough to show my anger. Friends didn’t have the right to waltz in here. “That doesn’t give you the right to come in here.”
“But we’re old friends, and we never get a chance to catch up. Besides, we’ve a few things to talk about.”
It was as if I hadn’t spoken. “You broke into my apartment.”
His casual, easy smile added menace, not charm. “So much for dashing to a lady’s rescue.”
“Why would I need rescue? Is it because I went to see David?”
“Let’s sit down. Have a drink. There are a few things we need to discuss.”
“I don’t drink.”
“That’s not true. Jo-Jo told me about your fall from grace.”
“That booze is not mine.”
He removed the bottle’s top. “I must say I was disappointed at first, but then decided it’s okay if you do drink. Booze always calmed you down.” He carefully filled each shot glass.
“Did you learn that trick from Brit?” I asked. “Keep her drugged so she’s easier to handle?”
“She told me you could get agitated when you were a child. She learned how to calm you down from your mother.”
“My mother? Richards thinks my mother might have been drugging me.” I thought back to all the lazy afternoons in middle school when all I could do was lie in my bed and stare at the ceiling. Or the nights when my belly had hurt so bad. Images of the blue pills clutched in Clare’s hand flashed. “Did Brit continue this sick practice? Did she get the pills she gave me from you?”
His jaw tightened, drawing the cords in his neck tighter and flexing the tail end of a snake tattoo. “Brit and I always helped each other out.”
“I’ll just bet. It was no accident that you gave me a strong dose the night we had sex.”
He raised a brow. “You wanted it. I didn’t have to ask twice. Besides, I thought if you relaxed, you’d have more fun.”
I’d been so out of it that I had never questioned his sexual advances. “Does Jo-Jo know you’re here?”
“I told her I’d take care of you. I told her not to worry. She knows I’m good at taking care of everything. She doesn’t ask too many questions. That’s why we get along so well.”
Had Jo-Jo shown me the camera because she wanted to help or because she knew I’d suspect David? What did she know about Jack that she’d failed to disclose? Jack’s DNA didn’t match Clare’s baby. But as Richards said, the baby daddy might not have killed Clare.
“You look upset. You don’t need to be,” Jack said. “We’re old friends, right?”
“Did you kill Clare?” I pressed.
“No. I didn’t hurt Clare.” He traced the wet rim of a shot glass. “I was with you the night she died, remember?”
“No, I don’t remember. You gave me enough to knock me out all night.”
