A Call from Corrections
Chapter thirty-nine
Alex
“Keystone Hotel, this is Brandon. How can I help you?” Brandon answers the phone as he works at the front desk.
“Brandon! Oh my gosh, you’re still working at Keystone? This is great. I need someone to pick me up from jail next month. I’m getting out on bail.”
“Kayla? How did you make bail? You killed two people!” Brandon says in surprise.
“Allegedly, Brandon. Their evidence is flimsy at best, and a bunch of it was thrown out due to chain of custody issues. I’m turning state’s evidence in exchange for immunity, and a judge agreed to release me, conditionally.
So, I’ll be on bail until all of this gets resolved.
I’m a small fish, and bringing down the Covington empire, along with all the people involved in their shady dealings, was too good for the prosecutors to pass up.
And I have enough information to bring all of them down.
If I did do the things I’ve been accused of, allegedly, it’s because I was trying to protect the people I care about.
Again, allegedly. The dirty cops Covington has in his pocket tried to frame me for a bunch of shit I didn’t do, so I decided to look out for myself.
His reach is far, but he doesn’t own every cop in this town.
Apparently the FBI might be getting involved as well. ”
“Okay…wow, that’s a lot. Why do you need one of us to pick you up?”
“I listed the Keystone as my primary residence, and that’s where I need to stay until all this bullshit is resolved. Plus, I’ll need my job back. My lawyer isn’t gonna pay for himself. You know?”
I listen in stunned silence. “No way in fuck!” I whisper yell to Brandon. “You keep that crazy bitch away from here!”
“Who was that?” Kayla asks.
“Oh, um, that’s Alex,” he says. I slap my hand over my eyes.
“Wait, what? Alex? Alex… moved to Romania earlier this year,” she says.
My mouth gapes. “She’s a lying liar who lies! She killed me with a frying pan!” I retort hotly.
“Wait—I’m confused. What is happening right now? Is Alex there? How is that possible?”
“He’s a ghost now. He runs the hotel. I’m just the manager.”
“Brandon,” she says slowly. “Do you remember what we discussed about smoking weed while you’re working?”
“I’m totally straight right now, I swear. He’s a ghost, along with his boyfriend Jake. They’re really chill.”
“JAKE?!” she screeches. “He’s there?” She takes a minute to compose herself before calmly continuing.
“You need to come pick me up. And remember, I know where bodies are buried on that property. Metaphorically speaking, of course. I’ll send you the exact time later.
I trust you won’t forget?” she asks just a little too sweetly.
“Uh, yep, I’ll be there,” Brandon says with a wince, scratching his head.
“Great. Thanks Brandon. I knew there was a reason I hired you.” She disconnects the call before he can get another word out. Brandon looks over at me.
“But she didn’t hire me…”
“I know, buddy,” I say, and let my forehead crash against the counter with a loud thud.
This is a fucking disaster.