Page 141 of The Lies I Told
“He thought Clare was Marisa,” Jo-Jo said. “Clare had been pretending she was Marisa the night they met. And for whatever reason, she kept the charade going whenever they were together.”
I shouldn’t blame Marisa for Clare’s foolish game, but for some reason I did. All trouble led back to Marisa. “Doesn’t really matter which sister he killed, does it?” It did, but I’d never say that out loud. “Have you seen Marisa?”
“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
