Chapter Ten. #2
“Thing is, Margrave, you fucked up something in that statement,” I said, and Margrave’s eyes narrowed. His brain was working overtime, and although Margrave maintained his poker face.
“Did I? Stepped up as a good citizen and did my duty. Told the cops what I’d seen, which was fuck all.”
“The only reason you came forward was that a witness identified you.”
Margrave took another bite of the sandwich and chewed. “Well, I had to have been near the library if my name was mentioned. Which means I saw the girl then.”
“Nope. You weren’t named for being near the library; the other witness claimed you had an inappropriate interest in Julie Rogers.” I waited to see which route Margrave chose. Fury or denial. Instead, he leaned back and studied me.
“Elaborate on inappropriate interest.”
“Following Julie, making sexual comments that weren’t welcomed, sending gifts she didn’t want.” I refrained from calling him a stalker.
A smile crossed Margrave’s lips, and his eyes bored into mine.
“Look around you. All these young things wearing short skirts, showing ass cheeks or tits. Legs that go on forever and silken skin. They want to be stared at, touched, admired. When it happens, they bitch and wail. The little bitches tempt men and then cry rape. The girl was no different from any of the others.”
“Got what she deserved, did she?” I inquired, keeping my voice steady. It was taking everything inside me not to reach out and grab this motherfucker by the throat.
“Can’t say if she did or didn’t, I don’t know anything.” Margrave smiled, and it sent chills down my spine.
“Julie left the library, and you saw her walking away?”
“If my statement says so, and I ain’t going over it again.”
“The library was shut for refurbishment. How could you have seen Julie leave?” I played my trump card.
Margrave stilled as he judged as he gazed at me. “Probably got my days mixed up.”
“Even though you described what Julie was wearing that day as proof you’d noticed her?”
“Maybe I got the place wrong? Who knows? It was a long time ago.”
“Only six months ago, Margrave.”
“Long enough. The girl likely ran off with one of those fancy boys she was always hanging around with. Anyway, you sat at my table, intruded on my space, and never introduced yourself. You’re not a cop, so I’m guessing you’re a PI.
Tell Julie’s daddy to stop looking and wasting money.
That little girl is probably having the time of her life somewhere. ”
Margrave stood, dropped ten bucks and, without another word, walked away.
“Asshole stiffed me again,” the waitress muttered as she approached.
“On your tip?”
“No, on the meal. Ten bucks isn’t enough.”
“I’ll cover the shortfall,” I said and got up, handing her a twenty. “Keep the rest for a tip.”
“Hey, whatever you want with Margrave, be careful. The man’s meaner than a rattler and as sneaky as fuck. Nobody around here likes him, and everyone avoids him as best we can,” the waitress warned.
I nodded. Somehow, I’d already guessed that, but even so, it was sound advice. I headed back to my truck. Margrave has just catapulted himself to the top of the suspect list.
April
I stared at the envelope and gritted my teeth.
This time, there was no doubting who it was from.
Stone had signed it. It was a voucher for an FLGS (friendly local game store) worth two hundred dollars.
Stone had found my weakness. I loved playing D there isn’t room for a second. How do I get the image of Chelsea sucking his cock out of my head?”
Clara shook her head. “I didn’t need that picture, darling. Even so, you know the truth. Can you forgive Stone for being an idiotic, weak, thoughtless man? If not, send back everything and make it clear. If you spot him, turn and walk away; don’t engage. Stone will soon get the message.”
Did I want that? I liked fighting with Stone, if I was honest. I sank into the armchair as Rose brought in a late lunch.
It was a habit Clara and I had fallen into.
Clara had an early breakfast, then a morning snack, which tided her over until lunch, and then we had dinner around seven. I puffed my cheeks out.
Could I really stop engaging with Stone?
No, that was the honest, brutal answer. No. I couldn’t. Because, despite the hurt and pain, I was still attracted to him. Stone was my weakness, which made me a fool.
Clara said nothing but sat in comfortable silence as I searched my feelings. I didn’t love Stone; that emotion was dead, but some feeling remained. My hate was fading despite trying to cling to it.
I wanted to walk away, I seriously did, because falling back in love with Stone would be easy.
Far too easy. Even so, I questioned everything because Chelsea sucking Stone’s cock and her eyes rolling in sheer ecstasy haunted me.
Could I ever move past that? I saw Stone’s expression once again, lust written clearly across it, and cringed.
Yet Stone claimed that had been faked. Honestly, that image would never leave me. If he looked at me with passion again, I’d know he’d looked at Chelsea the same way. Talk about a romantic moment killer!
“May I say one thing, darling?” Clara asked, and I jumped, startled.
“I was talking aloud?”
“Yes. Stone’s expression would be different. You’re remembering him as a young man. Stone’s older now, laughter lines where there weren’t before, thicker stubble where he was a smooth-chinned youth. Stone has faced life, April, the same as you.”
“Hey! I don’t have wrinkles!” I exclaimed, and Clara laughed.
“Darling, I never said you did. But you have got laughter lines around your eyes and mouth. Same as Stone. And the man has that rather delectable five o’clock shadow. He’s older, wiser, and more experienced in the world. A different person from the one you dated a decade ago.”
“Why do I think you’re playing devil’s advocate?”
“Because I am. I wish to see you happy, and you haven’t been.
No, don’t argue,” Clara demanded as I spoke.
“You’ve been satisfied with work but merely content with life.
This might be selfish, April, but I need to know you’re happy and loved.
That was my one regret when I lay there on the floor for two days.
That I wouldn’t get to witness that. I don’t want you to walk through life with nobody by your side; don’t be me. ”
I dropped my head. Clara hit where it hurt. I feared being alone, and maybe it was time I faced my fears head-on.