34. Chapter 34
Chapter thirty-four
Tallahassee
In this day and age, everything runs on paperwork. Enter something into a computer and it exists forever, even if it’s deleted. So how is it possible the people involved in my attack were able to erase me?
With that question in mind, I leave Ralph’s and head straight for the police station to request a copy of the report from the night I was assaulted.
After checking her computer, a young, uniformed officer tells me there is no police report. Her nervous eyes bounce around the room, then she leans forward and lowers her voice, “The people involved in this case are dangerous. Do yourself a favor, ma’am. Let this go.”
Her comments stun me, and it takes several seconds to recover. If there’s no report, how does she know there’s a case? Why is she warning me?
“I can’t do that,” I tell her, turning to leave.
My next stop is the hospital. We’re talking about medical records, there must be paperwork from that night. Maybe the hospital won’t discuss it with Darren’s lawyer because of privacy laws.
But when I get to the hospital and request my records, they have no idea what I’m talking about.
But if there are no records, how can they bill my insurance?
When I place a call to the insurance company to inquire about it, they join the growing list of people who don’t have a clue what I’m talking about.
They made me vanish, then rewrote the narrative, shifting the blame and turning Darren into a criminal.
I need a minute to think.
I stop at the café where I first met Darren. After ordering coffee and a muffin, I find a table and plop into a chair. While I eat my snack, I start brainstorming my next move. There has to be something I’m not thinking of that can help him.
My thoughts get sidetracked when my phone pings with a text. It’s my daily reminder from Vincent.
My nose wrinkles, and I roll my eyes. Of course. Why wouldn’t he contact me now? The diabolical man’s timing couldn’t be any worse.
Vincent: Tick, tick, tick, Tallahassee. Time is running out.
I don’t want to respond, but I can’t risk making him angry by ignoring him.
I’m well aware of your timeframe.
I power off the phone and toss it aside. With much more important things on my mind, I have no patience for him or his petty, malicious games.
I do have an idea. A way that could help Darren. It came to me while I was at Ralph’s.
I don’t like it.
In fact, I hate it. Because implementing it not only means obliterating my own life, it’ll also upend my family’s. But it may be the one thing that can help Darren out of this situation.
I know remembering the attack will be difficult, but I run that night through my head.
I start with the assault, move on to the hospital, and then arriving at Nash’s.
And that’s when a memory hits me. With everything that’s been happening, it slipped my mind, and I’d forgotten all about it.
I could smack myself for not remembering sooner. I feel like such an idiot.
For the first time since Darren’s arrest, I feel a glimmer of hope.
Still, there’s no guarantee, and I can’t help once again thinking that if I’d only stayed away, if I’d never come home, none of this would be happening.
Darren never would’ve been arrested, and my past wouldn’t be about to throw my family’s lives into turmoil again.
A man slides into the chair across from me, snapping me out of my depressing contemplation. I recognize him. It’s impossible not to with all the media coverage he gets.
It’s Brett Abernathy. Cyril’s billionaire father.
This day keeps getting better and better.
He doesn’t speak. Doesn’t bother to introduce himself. He studies me as he removes something from the breast pocket of his expensive, well-tailored suit.
A cashier’s check.
He makes a show of sliding it across the table in front of me. Curiosity has me glancing down, noting the significant number of zeros. It’s a substantial, life-changing amount of money. The equivalent of winning a Powerball lottery. It’s more money than I could spend in a lifetime.
My eyes lift from the check and pin him with a hard stare. I don’t pretend I’m not aware of who he is or why he’s here. “Let me guess, you found out I’m asking questions. You thought I’d take this gargantuan check, and like everyone else involved, develop a severe case of amnesia?”
He’s unrepentant, not even trying to deny his attempt at bribery. “I knew you were a smart girl.”
“Your sleazy son and his friends are depraved monsters. They belong in prison.”
Calm, cool, and collected, he leans back in his chair. “Let’s examine the facts, Ms. Crockett. Other than your testimony, there isn’t a single shred of evidence proving Mr. Stevens was protecting you.”
He gives me a vicious grin. “I’ve made sure of that. And let’s be honest, your reputation precedes you. No lawyer would call you a respectable witness. You, Ms. Crockett, are nothing but a waitress with a proclivity of seducing men for kinky sex. No one will believe you over my son.”
“You’re right. Even though it’s based on lies, my reputation does suck. And I’m sure you’re used to being able to buy anyone or anything with your substantial fortune. Unfortunately for you, this time you’re trying to destroy the life of the man I love.”
It disgusts me that the first time I make that declaration is to this smarmy oligarch and not to Darren.
He smirks. “As I understand it, he’s no longer interested in you.” His lips curl in a sneer. “Perhaps he’s repulsed by a woman who gives herself to any man she meets.”
I have no idea how he knows Darren broke up with meme, but I do know he’s taunting me, expecting me to…what? Explode? Curl up and cry?
“You disappoint me, Mr. Abernathy. If you expect me to rise to the bait, you’ll need to do much better than suggesting I’m nothing but a shameless slut.”
His eyes narrow at my words.
“Regardless of your inappropriate, juvenile, and snide remarks, there’s something you don’t know. Something you may find interesting.”
He grins like he doesn’t have a care in the world. As if he thinks—knows—he’s already won. “And what might that be?” he asks in a condescending tone.
“I have Corey Kimball’s phone.” I lean forward, my voice as cold as my stare.
“You know, the one he used to film their attack. I might be new to this, and I’m certainly not as sleazy and underhanded as you, but I’m pretty sure everyone will believe Master Chief Stevens and myself once they see that film. ”
“You’re lying,” he says smoothly. “Corey personally gave me that video, and I’ve already handed it over to the prosecutor.”
That’s brand-new information.
“If he gave you a copy, he retrieved it from the cloud. And I’d bet my last dollar what you gave the Navy was heavily edited.
The full version exonerates Master Chief Stevens and backs up our version of events.
” My head cocks and a slight smile curls my lips.
“What do you think will happen when I show the prosecutor the unedited film?”
The truth is, I haven’t watched it.
I was half conscious when I picked up that phone.
Finding it in my pocket when I undressed for my shower after the attack surprised me.
Worried he’d use the Find My Phone app or delete the video from the cloud, I hooked it up to my computer and downloaded all the videos.
Then I turned the phone off, tossed it into a drawer, and forgot all about it… until a few minutes ago.
I know my bluff is a risk, but I’m confident Corey’s video files will reveal the truth.
Rich man Abernathy still doesn’t look convinced.
“Why don’t you call Mr. Kimball? Ask him if he lost his phone that night. Go ahead. I’ll wait.”
For the first time, I see fear in his eyes and flash him a smile of my own. Seeing it, his expression morphs into one of anger. He jerks his head toward the check on the table. “I’ll double it. That’s more money than you could hope to see in your entire life. Take it and walk away.”
I lean back in my chair, trying to convey an air of calm indifference I don’t feel. “You don’t seem to understand, Mr. Abernathy. For the first time in your life, you don’t have enough money. What you’re trying to buy isn’t for sale.”
Disbelief and rage spread over his features. “It’s not wise to stand in the way of what I want.”
“Haven’t you heard? I goad. “I’m well-known for my risky behavior.”
“You seem like an intelligent girl. You must know that you and Mr. Stevens cannot win against me. Everything is for sale, and everyone has a price, Ms. Crockett. Name it and it’s yours.” His tone is smooth as glass, but I can still hear the underlying anger in his voice.
I shake my head. “Not everyone. Darren Stevens is more important to me than your money. The answer is no. This time, you can’t buy your way out.” I push away from the table and surge to my feet. “Take your dirty money and shove it up your ass, Mr. Abernathy.”
“You stop right there,” I hear him snap as I walk away, his voice angry and arrogant.
My steps may be shaky, but to my credit, I don’t hesitate or falter. Back straight, head held high, I strut toward the entrance.
“Ms. Crockett! No one walks away from me!” I hear him yell as I push through the door.
Body trembling, heart slamming against my ribcage, I hurry to my car and slide behind the wheel. Knowing I’ve kicked the hornet’s nest and there’s no turning back now, my next stop is my parents’ house. Nash is travelling to a game, so when I arrive, I Facetime him.
I update my parents and Nash on the latest developments of Darren’s case. Then I lay out my plan, telling them what I intend to do.
When I finish, I warn them about the fallout. “You know the press will have a field day with this. All our lives are going to be turned upside down again.”
“Things were getting boring around here anyway,” Mom quips.
I smile, but it isn’t a happy one. I know I’m asking a lot from them. She’s worried but trying to make me feel better.
“Whatever you need from us,” Mama reassures me.
“What they’re doing to Warlock is bullshit,” Nash snaps, angry. “You know we’ve got your back.”
“We’re so proud of you, honey,” Mom tells me.
“Crockett’s and McQueen’s are made of strong stuff, Tallahassee,” Mama boasts. “We survived it once. Whatever happens, we’ll survive it again.”
Their unconditional support makes me want to cry. I struggle to keep myself from losing control. I clear my throat and turn my attention to Nash on my phone screen. “I need to talk to a lawyer to make sure what I’m about to do is legal.”
He nods, short and sharp. “I’ll arrange it.”
At the door on my way out, Mama lays her hand on my arm, the humor replaced by worry etched across her face. “Tallahassee, are you sure about this?”
My eyes fill with tears and my voice is wobbly. “Yes. Darren’s life is being destroyed because of me. I can’t sit back and do nothing while he’s steamrolled, and they strip him of everything he’s worked for. I can’t let them send him to prison for protecting me.
“He was there for me when I needed him. I’m not about to give up on him now that he needs me.”