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“What’s going on?”
“There’s no easy way to say this, son. Since they filed a civil case, there’s a chance that the criminal case could be reopened. It’s slight and, I think, a ploy by the Green family. I doubt the DA would reopen it when it’s based on the evidence that proved you acted in self-defense.”
Goddammit.I fell into the chair in front of his desk, my knees buckling as I felt my future slipping from my grasp. “I don’t understand.” But I did. Something new had happened.
“Another witness has come forward.”
“No one else there had a clear view.” After registering the horror of what had happened, I’d visually swept the area. Erica Williams, the girl whose family had hired me to keep her safe, had been the only one, and she would never testify against me.
“I don’t have all the details. What I do know is that someone overheard an argument between Luke and you when you were acting as a bodyguard. Luke’s family has money, and they’re throwing their weight around.”
“That kid was a problem. I can’t see how the argument made me look bad.” I thought back to the discussions I’d had with Luke, telling him to stay the fuck away from Erica. But maybe it didn’t matter. The Green family was out for blood, specifically mine. They would find someone who’d heard us and could be swayed to their side. I was sure of it. “What am I supposed to do?”
“The cops want you to come in for an interview. The Green family put pressure on the police for a criminal case, but the attorney assured me that will not happen. It’s more of a formality and to get them to come to terms with the decision. They have some pull with the police chief, and you’ll be questioned. That’s it. You will not be charged or arrested. Regardless, I think the interview should be done here.”
I took in the dark-wood bookcases and oversized mahogany desk. Grandad sat behind it like a king on his throne. It was intimidating as hell and not a bad idea. I needed as many things on my side as I could get, but my gut twisted at the thought of trying to control the location. They might see it as the manipulative move it was and put another strike against me.
“No.” I held his gaze unflinchingly. “I need to do this—face whatever is coming.”
Bushy white eyebrows furrowed as he held my gaze. My jaw ached from how tightly I clenched my teeth. It was the right thing to do, and I wouldn’t let him talk me out of it. He must’ve seen something in my expression because I could tell by the way his shoulders suddenly slumped that he’d decided to back down. Then he stood and reached across the desk, holding his hand to me. I shook it, standing taller at the gleam of respect shining in his eyes.
“I’ll go with you.”
“No. I need to do this on my own.”
His frown cut deep lines around his mouth, but he relented. “I don’t like it, but I’ll respect your decision.” He picked up his phone and hit a few buttons as I turned for the door. “And Shane?” He paused, waiting for me to look his way, phone pressed to his ear. “The lawyer will meet you there.”
I nodded then left as Grandad ordered the lawyer to get his ass to the precinct immediately.
I understood the underlying issue. The Greens would file a civil case against me, and they would probably win. Grandad was worried about that too. I could see it in his face.
My hands were clammy as I gripped the steering wheel tightly. When I got to the police station parking lot, I just sat there, my outlook bleak. It wouldn’t end well for me. If I’d known what would come of hitting Luke, I never would have done it. A restrained hold would have been easy.Why the hell did I have to punch him back?
I rested my forehead against the steering wheel. I knew why I’d done it. He’d swung first. It was instinctual, and I was fed up with how he’d been treating Erica. But goddamn, I never wanted him to die. Just go the fuck away.
Another glance around the parking lot showed that the lawyer hadn’t arrived. I would have called Uncle Lucas, but from our last meeting, it’d been established that Grandad’s lawyer would keep him in the loop. I waited in the parking lot. No way would I go in without him. With a few minutes to spare, I hit the Contact button to call Mom. If I was going to jail, I wanted her to know I loved her. Asking about Winter was no longer a priority. Not with my shit hanging over my head.
* * *
The police chief had asked me three questions, all of which my lawyer had shut down. They had no case, and it was made clear. But Mr. and Mrs. Green had been prepared for that. Good thing Grandad and my lawyer had been as well, and I’d been briefed before entering the room to let him speak for me without contest.
We moved to a conference room. The only ones in attendance were the Greens, myself, and our lawyers. We sat at a conference table, facing each other. I studied them and how their grief clung to them in different ways. Mrs. Green’s brown eyes were red rimmed and puffy, her hands shaking so much that her husband gently pressed them under the table and onto her lap. She couldn’t meet my eyes. I didn’t blame her. I struggled to look in the mirror on occasion as well.
“I’m sorry.” The words came out before I could think of the consequences, but they needed to be said. “If I could take back what happened to your son, I would. I never meant any real harm.”
Frank’s hand pressed on my shoulder—the slight pressure telling me to stop talking. I did. Mrs. Green’s head snapped up, her grief blasting me. Something moved in those brown depths.A slight ease of pain maybe?I hoped I’d read her right, that my words had helped in some tiny way. It had to mean something that I hadn’t wanted, or wished for, her son’s death.
“Bullshit,” Mr. Green growled. “You’d hit him before. It was with intent. And it’s a goddammed travesty the justice system did not prevail—yet. But it will. Mark my words.”
“That’s enough,” their lawyer, Mr. Miller, said.
Frank cleared his throat, and I tore my gaze from Mr. Green’s zealous one.
“What are your clients’ needs?”
Mrs. Green gasped, but I kept my head down. To have their son back, obviously.But since that’s impossible…
“We seek mental damages for losing their only son and compensation for Luke’s anticipated role in Green Pharmaceuticals.”
