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Little taps a pen with slow deliberation. The air is like the quiet before an F-5 tornado, in the interview room and in the observation room. Even grumpy Walker is spellbound.
“The problem is…I happen to believe this is your biggest lie yet.”
Hollie
I’m one beat away from a heart attack, even as the out-of-the-blue assertion launches hope toward my desperation.
Jacob’s head snaps up. “No, I’m not! I told you, I’m guilty!” He rockets to his feet, spewing another confession of guilt.
Detective Little jabs a sharp finger across the table. “Calm down and sit down, young man.” Once Jacob complies, he adjusts his collar with a snap of his wrists. “Let’s recap, shall we? The number of times you’ve changed your story is higher than I can count, so your credibility is shot. You get that, right?”
Radioactive energy undulates off Jacob.
I pray silently and try to will the truth from my son’s lips. Why is he doing this?Reaganis the only answer that makes sense. I glance toward the large window. Is John thinking the same?
I feel his support even though I can’t see him. Having him on my team helps me hold it together.
“So, hear me out, Carpenter. We’re wiping the slate clean. From here on out, you need to consider your answers very, very carefully.” The detective’s long pause injects significance. “Got it?”
Jacob barely nods.
“Good. Now let’s try this again. Whose drugs were in your vehicle?”
Jacob looks down. “Mine.” This lie is less convincing than the first.
“I see.” Detective Little’s mouth strains. “Now, I don’t want you to answer this next question right away. Do you understand me?”
Jacob nods, his lip pulled in.
“Before you answer, think.Reallythink.” Detective Little taps his pen on the gouged table. “The handgun that was found in your vehicle alongside the drugs has been linked to the commission of another crime.”
The room starts to spin. My hand grabs Jacob’s. No.No. Not. My. Son.
Jacob’s complexion turns ghostly. For once, he doesn’t shove my hand away. His throat dips in a wobbly swallow. “What crime?”
My initial reaction to this man haranguing my son wasenemy. Now…ally? The detective shrugs theatrically. “You tell me. It’s your gun, right?”
Jacob’s mouth pops open.
“Don’t answer that yet. This is still thinking time.”
Ben massages his jaw. “I’d like a moment alone with my client, Detective.”
The chair groan as the detective sits back. “No problem. In fact, that works out fine, because I have someone I’d like your client to speak with before he answers.” The old chair’s metal legs grate across the ugly tile.
Jacob lets go of my hand, which I press into my stomach. Someone else? How ominous.
Ben wheels on Jacob when the door slaps closed behind the detective, cautioning him with the reminder that there are most definitely microphones in the room. He steels his face and drops his voice. “Who are they bringing in, Jacob?”
The fear in Jacob’s face has reached a new level. “How would I know?”
“You’re the only one who might.”
“Well, I don’t.”
Ben doesn’t buy that any more than I do, but he fills the moment by running down the current charges, reminding Jacob of the potential consequences if convicted.
I press my forehead into my hands. This is a nightmare. A true nightmare. Another crime?Father…
