10. Chapter 10
June 27, 2011
10:12 am
Trey had led the twins to an interrogation room where a TV and VHS player were located so they could watch the tape together. Sara hated being in the lifeless concrete room. She rubbed her arms in an attempt to warm herself. She felt vulnerable and small, as if everyone was watching her every move, agreeing with the already guilty ruling. It’s how she felt thirteen years ago when she was being questioned about her mother’s murder.
After going through a biased interrogation without a lawyer present, a public trial that named her guilty without even hearing the evidence, and a prison sentence with some of the worst offenders, Sara had promised to never let herself feel vulnerable again.
For the first few years of her incarceration, she had been constantly bullied and pushed around. Other inmates would steal her blankets or food or even her menstrual items. It wasn’t until an older inmate took pity on her and taught her prison politics that she had been able to fight off those who wanted to harass her.
The choice to stand up for herself had resulted in a few stints in solitary confinement and some scars to show she wasn’t to be messed with, but it was worth it. It had taught her that no one could take advantage of her vulnerability as long as she never allowed herself to be vulnerable.
Sara began pacing as she waited for Trey to come back with Hailey’s coffee. She didn’t understand why her sister insisted on getting a drink; it wasn’t the time or the place.
Sara cursed under her breath, desperate to get out of the tiny room.
She thought back to the night her mother died. It wasn’t a secret she could only remember bits and pieces of that night. However, she knew there was no way she could have killed her mother, even with how much coke she’d done and how much alcohol she’d consumed.
She remembered being upset about her breakup with Chase. She had wanted to forget about her problems, so she had tracked down her drug dealer turned ex-boyfriend, Thomas Smith, and the rest was a blur.
She and Thomas had met when she was fifteen. He had been a senior in high school, and she had been a freshman, eager to try anything to impress the troubled bad-boy. He had been the one who introduced her to drugs and alcohol, the substances that had slowly taken over her life. The so-called “solution” to her family problems had slowly begun killing her and she hadn’t even known it.
Eventually, they broke things off romantically, but she had never completely cut ties with him. Truthfully, she hadn’t known what to do without him in her life. He had been her source to the drugs her body craved; especially the night her mother died.
She had flashes of memories, but they were fleeting. It was as if she was reaching for something only for it to disintegrate before her fingers even grasped it. Her memories were there, but she could never pull them forward.
The house party Donna had taken her to was wild, even for Sara. She had danced with some guy that may or may not have been Thomas. She had even slept with him…whoever he was. Possibly even a few times. Or had it been a few different people?
At some point she had done coke…maybe Xanax, too? No, maybe it had been Ecstasy?
She knew for certain she had been more than above the legal limit of alcohol consumption, not to mention the fact she had been underage and shouldn’t have been drinking at all.
Honestly, she wasn’t sure how she hadn’t overdosed. That was a freaking miracle in-and-of-itself.
She didn’t remember getting into Thomas’ car, but vaguely remembered stopping at the corner store. Her anxiety skyrocketed as it always did when she tried to remember what happened next.
She had woken up at one point, staring at her mother’s lifeless body. At the time, she had simply wondered why she was in her mother’s bed. Warmth had flooded around her arm. She had touched her sleeve, red staining her fingertips. Sara had giggled, wondering why she was bleeding.
Except now she knew it wasn’t her blood at all.
She took in a breath, forcing the nausea to leave her body.
She always wanted to vomit when she recalled touching the blood. It had drenched her sleeve, irritating her. And if she focused hard enough, she could still smell the copper scent. Even now, she hated the sight of blood.
The next morning, she had woken up to her father pounding on her bedroom door, having no memory of how she got there, the police ready to escort her to the station. A guilty verdict was tattooed on her forehead before ever being asked a single question.
Sighing, she caught her reflection in the two-way mirror and was repulsed by what she saw. At eighteen, she had been a beautiful girl, with platinum blonde hair, flawless makeup, and pristine clothes. A model in the making, a girl made for the runways of New York. Now, though, she was an ordinary woman with mousy brown hair that needed to be brushed, deep bags under her eyes, and a simple shirt and jeans.
The girl who was once convinced she could take on the world was now looking at a woman who was nearly defeated by it. She missed who she once was, but that girl no longer existed.
She sensed someone looking at her through the glass, though she knew it was all in her mind. She felt as if she was back in a jail cell, being watched like a caged animal. Instead of looking away or turning her back to the mirror, she thrusted her chin up and held her gaze, not wanting to appear weak and intimidated.
Lost in thought, Hailey startled Sara when she quietly said, “Can you sit down? You’re making me nervous.”
After having a staring contest with her own reflection, Sara took in a breath to calm herself and sat down next to Hailey.
For a moment, Sara considered fleeing. Maybe trying to reopen this case was a bad idea?
Before she could bolt, the door opened and Trey stepped in, handing Hailey her coffee. “Sorry, I got caught up in a conversation about a case. Let’s see this video.”
Trey then pressed play and the three of them watched the tape. Sara slinked down in her chair and squeezed her eyes closed, not wanting to watch her younger self.
She still couldn’t believe how drunk and irresponsible she’d been as a teen. She had spent most of her high school days hanging with a bad crowd just to get back at her father. And her father was going to ship her off to New York that fall, ready to be rid of her.
Instead, she had found herself sporting a blue jumpsuit and shackles.
Once the video ended, Trey didn’t say anything at first. He stared at the black screen for what felt like ages. Sara wanted to scream. She needed to leave this room, this building, this town.
He then turned to Sara. “Why wasn’t this admitted into evidence, and why didn’t your friends speak up when you were arrested? You didn’t tell your lawyer about this? Seems a little suspicious, don’t you think?”
Sara stood and placed her hands on the table as she leaned toward him. “Despite what you may think, I don’t have an ulterior motive here. Like you told Hailey, I’ve already done my time so why the hell would I try to get this case reopened unless I was innocent? Stop pointing fingers without having all the facts. You’re just like every other cop that’s been involved in this case.”
She crossed her arms. “I didn’t know about the video until Hailey showed it to me. I was so wasted that I don't remember anything on that tape, and I don’t know why my so-called friends didn’t come forward.” She threw her hands up. “It would have been nice if they had.”
Gently touching Sara’s arm, Hailey looked at Trey. “Angie told me that Thomas and Jake didn’t think it was their problem. Donna wanted to help Sara but didn’t want to be pulled into it either. She figured if she gave someone the video anonymously, it would get Sara off the hook. When it didn’t, no one wanted to get into trouble, so they didn’t come forward.”
Trey looked from Hailey to Sara. He tapped his finger on the table, gathering his thoughts. “I think the tape is a start, but I need more evidence to convince the D.A. you’re innocent.” He looked at Sara. “I want to talk to your friends and see if I can find the guy who worked at the corner store that night, but I doubt he’s still around.” He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry you weren’t given a fair trial. I promise I’ll do what I can to fix it, but I’m not sure anything will come of it.”
Shocker .
Sara didn’t think she stood a chance. She should have left well enough alone. Then again, she’d never get revenge if she kept thinking like that.
Hailey opened her mouth but closed it quickly, narrowing her eyes at him as she studied his face.
As if sensing her reservation, Trey said, “Hailey, I’m not going to manipulate whatever ‘this’ is. And I’m assuming that's why you came to me in the first place. You might not like me all that much anymore, but you do trust me. I’ll look at the facts, not everyone’s feelings; including yours.”
Sara raised a brow, amused by his straightforwardness. There had been a time when the cowboy wouldn’t dare piss off the princess intentionally. And he most certainly would have considered her feelings before anyone else’s.
Hailey was quiet for a moment and then sighed. “I do trust you, that is why I came to you.”
Trey nodded and then looked at Sara. "What do you want to do? Ultimately, it's your name on the line. Right now, you’ve paid your debt to society. Plus, whatever story that’s been running in the press will be gone when the next one pops up. In a few weeks, you’ll be invisible, and everyone will forget about your past.”
He walked to the TV and pushed the eject button. The video popped out and he grabbed it, setting it on the table in between the three of them. “Or you can fight to clear your name with no promise that you will be successful in that fight.”
Hailey seethed. “Why would you say that to her?”
Trey motioned to Sara. “ She has to make this decision. It’s her life, and she has the right to make that choice knowing the possible outcomes.”
Sara nearly smiled at the irony. Funny, she always wanted to forget about what had happened to her and now she was nearly choosing to relive it.
Again, a battle inside her soul began to rage. She desperately wanted revenge, and she desperately wanted to prove she wasn't who everyone believed her to be. But she couldn’t have both. She couldn’t have her innocence and her revenge because once she got her revenge, that innocence would disintegrate. You don’t get retribution without losing yourself, without giving up your morality.
So, it was simply a matter of which one she wanted more.
Innocence or vengeance.
“Sara?” Hailey said.
She turned to look at herself in the mirror once more, studying her hardened jaw and dark eyes. What she wouldn’t give to do her life over again. To not have chosen Thomas or the drugs or the alcohol. To not have been so consumed by selfishness that it quite literally ravaged her life.
But she couldn’t. This is who she was now, for better or for worse. Probably for worse.
She sighed. They wanted an answer, and she wasn’t sure it would be the right one. “Do it. Find out who killed my mother.”
As much as Sara wanted to forget about that night and everything that followed, she couldn’t. She needed to free herself from her past and the only way to do that was by revisiting it.
Maybe it would make things worse. But, honestly, how much worse could it get?
Sara spent thirteen years being silent, allowing someone else’s secrets to remain concealed.
Now the secrets that were buried along with Morgan Gallagher would soon surface.
And Sara would be the one holding the shovel.
The receptionist led her into David’s office. He sat behind a large wooden box that was just as expensive as it looked. The man was anything but subtle.
“Sir, your daughter is here to see you.”
The woman left as David glanced up from his paperwork. His eyes rounded and his smug grin fell from his face when he realized it wasn’t Hailey standing in his doorway.
His perfectly crafted facade faltered, and for once in his life, David was speechless. Sara hadn’t quite expected that, though she hadn’t known what to expect.
“ Daddy , I’m home,” Sara sneered. “We haven't seen each other since you had me thrown in prison for a crime I didn’t commit, so I thought I’d stop by and see how you were doing. You know, see if karma caught up with you yet.”
After rewatching the video in the interrogation room, she knew she wanted answers. And if she burned down her father’s legacy while she searched, well, that would be the pinnacle of her life’s work.
“I’m calling the police,” David said as he picked up the phone.
Sara laughed cynically. “I wouldn’t do that. I’ll tell them about how you manipulated the trial. Plus, we just found evidence that gives me an alibi. I’m sure the D.A. will be interested to learn why you lied all those years ago, telling them I was home when my mother was killed.”
Sara slowly paced the room and began looking at the accolades that lined the walls, his eyes trailing her as she did. Unlike her, he couldn’t contain his need for information so he wouldn’t dare kick her out until he was satisfied.
It was laughable how predictable her father was. His attempt to stay in control would ultimately be his downfall.
He set the phone down. “What proof do you even have? If I had to guess, you’re lying about that too.”
Sara smirked. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
David leaned back in his chair, attempting to appear unbothered. “Enough with your games, Sara. What is it you want? Money? Drugs?”
“Oh, you can’t get rid of me that easily. I’m here to burn your legacy to the ground.”
Sara knew there was no use in hiding her motives. It wouldn’t be long before he realized Sara was coming for him. She’d play David’s game if she had to, but she’d rather play her own. And she was starting off by letting him squirm a little.
“Don’t play with fire, Sara. You might get burned,” he sneered.
“Nothing a little Aloe can’t heal,” she said with a wink as she turned back to face him.
Though she was inwardly shaking, she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of intimidating her. She was no longer the little girl he had spent years towering over as he beat her repeatedly while yelling obscenities.
Funny, she’d faced scarier monsters in prison and yet he somehow managed to unnerve her more than anyone else. And he would move heaven and hell to make sure he continued being her worst nightmare.
“I see you’re still just as crazy as you were before prison. Maybe I should have pushed to have you committed instead of incarcerated. You killed your mother. I don’t know if this is guilt talking or if you’re just losing what little grip on reality you have left, but you did kill her.”
“No. I didn’t.”
David raised a brow. “That’s not what you said at your trial. Who’s the liar now?”
Sara tilted her head. “It takes one to know one.”
He smirked. And for a split second she wondered if she’d be able to prove her innocence. Like he said, she had lied: she pleaded guilty. Why would anyone believe her now?
Except now she had proof. And she had help. She wasn’t fighting off monsters alone anymore. And David Gallagher would soon be enraged to find he couldn’t stalk her nightmares anymore.
“You know, what's interesting about being a liar is that secrets come with a price.” She shrugged. “The difference between me and you is that I've already paid mine. You on the other hand…” She clucked her tongue. “Well, you’re going to pay a high price for what you’ve done.”
“You’re not getting a cent from me.”
Sara scoffed. “You think this is about money? Figures. No, this is about retribution. You ruined my life and now I'm going to ruin yours.”
David shifted slightly but didn’t break eye contact with Sara. “No one will believe you. You killed your mother, and I’ll make sure everyone remembers it. I’ll dig up every transgression, every offense. Prison will look like child's play when I’m done with you.”
Sara walked to the desk and glared down at him. For years, he had stood over her, threatening and hurting her. As a little girl, she was terrified of him. Even when she was a teenager, deliberately defying him, there was always a voice in the back of her head that warned she may not make it out of that house alive.
But in this moment, she wasn’t scared anymore. She was no longer a little girl cowering away from her angry father. She had been to hell and back in spite of the man who put her there. If David wanted compliance, this time he’d have to kill her. Because she wouldn’t stop until she made him pay.
Sara smiled. “Oh, David, you’re forgetting that I've already lost everything. So unfortunately for you, I’ll willingly go up in flames if it means I get to burn you to the ground.”
He clenched his jaw. “I suggest you watch yourself, Sara. You might end up like your mother.”
She’d rattled him a bit. Good.
She just couldn’t let him know he’d rattled her too.
Sara sighed and rolled her eyes. “Promises, promises.”
She turned to walk away when he said, “And I’ll make sure your sister isn’t exempt from my fury.”
Sara stopped in her tracks for a brief moment. He always knew how to get under her skin, something she detested. But this time, she wasn’t going to be intimidated. Hailey could take care of herself, and Sara wouldn’t let her sister stand in her way. If Hailey had to burn alongside David, so be it.