49. Mallory
Chapter 49
Mallory
In the weeks following the event with Liane, I pore myself into Case Files . If I thought it was personal before, now it's tenfold.
Jolene came to visit, hell on wheels when she learned what Liane did. "I wish I'd been here, Mal. I would have stuck her through the chest, Inigo Montoya style." She mimed using a sword.
Jolene helped me write episode scripts, and schedule interviews. Liane's arrest and confession galvanized everybody, and they are more than ready to share their experiences. Mayor Rooney resigned following his wife's arrest, and after being interrogated by a relentless Detective Towles who brought a lot of emotion with him into the small, dark room, was determined to have not known about his wife. His finances however, are all being investigated due to Liane's rant in Hugo's kitchen that day. Something tells me there will be a lot for the police to find. Liane has, not shockingly, claimed to have been lying about her son and what he did to Maggie. He lives in Baltimore now, a world away from his insane mother, and also denied any wrongdoing when contacted by authorities. Even behind bars, Liane is turning herself inside out to protect her adult child.
As broken as I feel over everything that happened, I'm doing my best to stay calm. Peanut needs me to be emotionally healthy.
Cecily and I have been in constant contact, creating content to stir up interest in the podcast and the forthcoming episodes. The local media attention on the solving of not one, but two, long-cold murder cases has helped everything we're doing. The De la Vega family has refused media interviews, stating they will be exclusively working with a true crime podcast.
Hugo's home, specifically his kitchen, has been scrubbed and bleached. I had a hard time standing in it at first, but I've decided to reframe the situation. Instead of thinking of it as a place where I nearly lost my life to strangulation, I think of it as the place where we took down my sister and Simon's murderer. When I look at it that way, I am empowered and no longer a victim.
Most surprising of all was the phone call from my mom after the detective who worked on Maggie's case called to tell her about Liane.
"You ready for this?" Hugo asks, taking my hand in his. We're sitting out front of my mom and stepdad's house.
There's no making up for lost time, but forward progress is all we have. I won't miss out on that because I want to protect myself, hold a grudge, let past pain guide future behavior.
"I'm ready. Thank you for coming with me."
"By your side is right where I want to be." His voice, his words sink into my chest.
My mother steps out front. Her hands are at her mouth, as if she can't believe it. Then her arms open wide.
I go to her, step into her embrace. She let her torment grow thorns, keeping others away. I don't know what that was like for her. How much a person must be hurting in order to hurt others.
"You are so beautiful," she whispers into my ear. "And I am so sorry."
There are tears. Handshakes as I introduce Hugo.
"We're marrying in Olive Township next weekend," I tell my mom once we're settled in her living room. "It'll be small. In the orchard. Family, and close friends." Hugo and I share a smile. We know it's fast, but nothing about us has been typical. No other person in the world could possibly be as right for one another, and waiting is unnecessary.
"Is that an invitation?" my mom asks tentatively.
I nod. "Yes."
"I wouldn't miss it."
We spend the afternoon with my mom. My stepdad makes an appearance, but not for long. It's the way he's always been, and I don't expect anything different from him.
"She has closure now, you know?" I say to Hugo when we're on our way back to Olive Township. My head rests against the car seat. "Maybe things will change."
Hugo takes my hand, kisses my knuckles. "It's looking like they will. She's coming next weekend."
I hum happily. "Next weekend... when I get to become your wife."
He nips the knuckle on my middle finger. "You're already my girl."
A slow smile curves my lips. "Good thing I didn't let it deter me when you ignored all my emails."
He chuckles. "I thought you were a nosy little podcaster who wanted to stir up trouble."
I shimmy my shoulders. "I am a nosy little podcaster, and I most definitely want to stir up trouble."
"Just wait until I get you home, Mallory. I'll show you trouble."
"Promises, promises," I tsk.
He laughs. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
We drive east, the sunset in the rearview, bidding us farewell with its brilliant pinks and purples. I may have called Phoenix home for the first twenty-eight years of my life, but Olive Township beckons me.
My hand finds the back of Hugo's neck as he drives, my fingers curling over his warm skin, gliding up into his hair. He groans, a sound of contentment.
Peanut and I are the luckiest girls in the world.