Hulk Chapter 15 #2
Capri and Pyro were to visit Sharon. Celeste and I went to see Julianna.
We hoped we wouldn’t need to see Betina.
They lived outside Cherokee, but not far away.
Pulling into the drive of the address Wire gave us for Julianna, I checked it out.
The home was in a middle-class neighborhood, by the looks of the houses and their upkeep.
We’d taken my truck. It was too cold for my old lady to be riding my bike.
After exiting the truck, I led her to the door.
I noted that the car registered to Julianna was in the driveway.
When Wire did research, he gave us everything he could.
We’d debated whether we should wear our cuts.
In the end, everyone agreed it might be what loosened their tongues if they knew anything.
I chose this girl first because she had given Capri the water bottle.
Everything pointed to that water as the source of the drugs in her system.
I wanted to know why. I rang the doorbell twice in a row.
Julianna lived with her parents, according to Wire.
Betina lived alone in an apartment, and Sharon lived with a roommate.
When no one answered after thirty seconds, I pounded on the door.
I was about to do it again when the door opened. Standing there, wearing an apprehensive expression, was the one we were seeking. Again, photos had been provided so we’d know what they looked like.
“Y-yes, may I help you?” she asked hesitantly.
“Yes, you can. We’re here to speak to you about Capri Malcolm,” I said.
Her eyes widened, and she took a tiny step back. “Capri? Why would you be asking me about her?”
“Because I’m her aunt and you were one of the last people to speak to her the night of that party,” Celeste told her.
Julianna’s discomfort grew. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know why you want to speak to me about that night.
I told the cops already. I don’t know her other than having seen her around campus.
I have no idea what happened to her. Yes, my friends and I chatted with her for a little bit, but then she wandered off.
That was the last we saw or heard of her until later, when the cops arrived and started interviewing people.
I’m sorry that happened to her. I wish I could help. ”
What she said sounded sincere, but it was practically a verbatim repeat of what she told the police. Plus, it was the same thing the other two girls had said in their statements. I didn't know why the police didn’t call them on it. It was rehearsed.
“Is your family home? I’m sure they’d like to hear this. If they’re not, I can find where they are so I can let them know that their daughter is a liar and an accessory to rape. You can be sent to prison for that, you know,” Celeste said to her.
Horror infused Julianna’s face. She stepped closer to us. “You can’t do that!”
“Wanna bet?” I asked.
She shifted her gaze around her yard, as if seeing if anyone was paying attention, like her neighbors. I was about to push her more when she moved back. “Come in, but you can’t stay long. I’ll give you five minutes.”
We entered before she changed her mind. The door closed behind us, and we were led from the entrance into the living area connected to it. She sat in a chair. We sat on the couch, even though we hadn't been invited.
“Okay, ask what you need to ask. The only reason I’m doing this is that I feel so sorry for Capri. It’s not because I did anything wrong,” she hastily told us.
Yeah, I bet, I thought sarcastically.
“I want to know what you didn’t tell the police.” Celeste was blunt.
“I don’t know what you mean. I told them everything I knew. We talked to her, and then she left us. It was a couple of hours later that the police arrived, and we heard what had happened to her. I wish I knew more. I’m afraid I can’t help you.”
“We know that you were the one to give a water bottle to Capri. That was how she was drugged. We want to know why you did it. Who did you help to assault her?” My tone was harsh.
Julianna paled and gasped. “I didn’t drug her! I don’t care what she said. It wasn’t me. If she was drugged, it had to be from something else.” There was an edge of hysteria to her voice.
“Bullshit,” I snapped, leaning toward her.
“W-why are the Pagan Souls involved in this? It’s the cops’ job to find out what happened and to question people.” Her attempt to divert us failed.
“Normally, it is their job, but not when it comes to something personal to my club. You don’t harm ours and get away with it. Something you’ll learn.” I glared at her.
The way she was acting and the shaking of her body told me she was on the cusp of breaking. I’d forced people to this point countless times. However, it usually took longer, was bloodier, and more painful.
“One of yours?” she whispered.
“Yes, see, I’m his old lady, which means I’m his wife, making Capri his niece. Whoever fucks with her will answer for it to them and me,” Celeste hissed.
Her eyes were narrowed on Julianna. As Celeste spoke to her, she turned far enough that the back of her property cut showed. The young woman turned white as snow.
“Please, please, I didn’t know this would happen! We weren’t trying to hurt her. I swear to God. Don’t hurt me,” she whimpered.
“Then tell us what you know,” I demanded.
“It’s not a lot. We were asked to talk to Capri for a while, which we did.
When she joined us, I was to get a drink and offer her one.
When I got them, I was given my drink and a bottle of water for her.
When I returned, we spoke for a few more minutes.
Suddenly, Capri complained of feeling sick and dizzy.
That was when she was helped away. That was the last we saw of her. ”
“Who told you to talk to her, offer the drink, and then, I assume, led her away when she got sick?” I barked.
She hesitated only a moment before whispering, “Vanessa Latham, her friend.”
Satisfaction surged through me from knowing who, but then it faded as I recalled she was hiding.
“Did she say anything you can remember about why she wanted you to do any of that?” My old lady asked.
“She said that her friend was shy and didn’t know a lot of people at school. She wanted her to get out and find more friends. We’d seen Capri around campus but hadn’t actually talked to her. We agreed to do it.”
“Why do it? How do you know Vanessa?” I asked.
“She’s in some of the same classes as we are. I think everyone knows her. She’s been to other parties we’ve attended. We’ve spoken some. I saw no harm in doing it.”
“Did she offer you anything in exchange for doing it?” Celeste asked her.
Julianna shifted her gaze from ours.
“Don’t think about lying to us,” I growled.
That gaze jumped back, and then she sagged. “Vanessa knew I liked this guy at school. She offered to get him to ask me out. My friends, Betina and Sharon, knew how much I liked him, so they were all for helping.”
“Did she promise your friends anything?” Celeste asked.
“No, just me. They were helping me,” Julianna swore.
“What is this guy’s name?” I asked.
“His name is Kevan Frost. He’s a senior.”
As tears ran down her face, she continued, “I swear, we had no idea anyone would drug her or that she’d be raped. We wouldn’t do that to someone. Capri was nice. We liked her.”
“Have you seen or spoken to Vanessa since the party? What about the date?” I asked.
“I kinda forgot about it after I heard what happened. By the time I remembered, it was too late. Vanessa hasn’t been to school and doesn’t answer calls or texts. She lied.”
We spent a few more minutes asking more questions, but I knew we’d discovered all she knew. It was plain she was telling the truth. When asked why she didn’t tell the cops about Vanessa, she admitted she was afraid Kevan would hear about it and not agree to go out with her.
When we were back in the truck, I pulled over down the street. I didn’t want to be seen sitting outside her house. I placed a call to Pyro. I wanted to see what they found out and to share our news. We agreed neither of us would go to Betina’s place until after we talked.
“Yo, Hulk, we’re done. Any success?” was how he greeted me. I had him on speaker.
“Some. You?”
“Yeah. Seems Sharon and Betina were helping their girl, Julianna, get a date with a guy she likes. Vanessa asked them to talk to Capri, then led her off when she felt sick. I don’t think she’s lying about it being more.
She caved almost immediately when she saw Capri, and we started questioning her.
She kept telling our girl how sorry she was for what happened. ”
“That was the story we got from Julianna. It took a few minutes to get her to tell it. She lied to the cops because she was afraid the guy, Kevan Frost, would say no to a date if he knew she had asked Vanessa to set it up,” I shared.
“God, how sad. Kevan was the name she gave us, too,” Pyro confirmed.
“How are you holding up, Capri?” Celeste asked.
“I’m fine. I’d already figured Vanessa knew something when she disappeared on us. I hate that the one person I thought was a friend betrayed me. I wish I knew why, and if she knew what was to happen to me.” Capri’s sadness was audible.
“Honey, we’ll find out. Just know, not everyone is like that,” her aunt reminded her.
“I know they’re not. I’m okay. So, who is going to talk to Betina?” Capri asked.
“We should do it, though I don’t believe we’ll discover anything new. Why don’t we all go, unless you prefer to head back?” I left it up to them.
A couple of minutes later, we were on our way to meet Pyro and Capri at Betina’s place. I kept hoping she might know more than her friends.