Insanity Defense （n.） – Jameson
INSANITY DEFENSE (N.):
THE CLAIM OF A DEFENDANT IN A CRIMINAL PROSECUTION THAT HE/SHE WAS INSANE WHEN THE CRIME WAS COMMITTED, USUALLY ONLY TEMPORARILY.
JAMESON
Iskim the latest play reviews in the Los Angeles Times, not the slightest bit surprised that Scarlett is earning rave reviews.
“She was a world-class liar when we met, so the stage is the perfect place for her…” I try to convince myself that’s the only reason she’s doing so well, but just like all my other mantras lately, it falls flat.
Sighing, I pick up my phone and click on the website I’ve visited at least fifty times over the past two days.
The words are still the same.
Our Theater Runs on Audience Support, so Please Donate to Keep Our Stage Lights Bright!
Get a Personal “Thank You” Call & Tour from a Main Cast Member!
Call 555-232-8771
I’ve donated five thousand dollars under Scarlett’s name so far, and I have yet to reach her directly.
I refuse to give up, though.
I follow the prompts again, and this time, I donate ten thousand dollars.
WOW! You’re a STAR!
Thank you so much for your generosity!
Would you like us to call and tell you thank you now? Or would you like us to schedule contact?
I hit now and stare at my phone, waiting.
One minute passes.
Then two.
Then ten.
Before I can hit the “complaint” button, my phone lights up with the familiar Los Angeles area code.
I answer without saying hello.
“Well, hello there! Thank you so much for donating to the Arts!” Scarlett’s raspy voice floats over the line. “My name is Scarlett Winters, and I’m so excited to tell you about our lineup. What’s your favorite genre?”
“I like true crime,” I say. “But since it reminds me too much of my job, let’s pretend I like fantasy.”
She sucks in a breath, and the sound instantly takes me back to her mouth against mine.
“Jameson,” she says. “What are you doing?”
“I needed to find a way to reach you,” I say. “I need you to know that I could never be ‘just friends’ with you.”
“Well, we’re not anything right now, so that’s perfectly fine.”
“Are you in love with him?”
“Who?”
“Cole,” I say. “Your new boyfriend.”
“What the…” She lets out a breath. “You’re stalking me?”
“Rachel was stalking you,” I say. “She hasn’t given me an update lately, though. How are you?”
“Conflicted. And yourself?”
“Same.”
Silence settles over the line, and for the first time since I’ve known this woman, I have no idea what to say.
“I’ve been looking into Peter Hansel this week,” she says, and my blood instantly runs cold.
“Hello?” she asks. “Are you there, Jameson?”
“Yes.”
I’m in uncharted territory.
“Did you hear what I said about Peter Hansel?” she presses.
“I did. Why are you looking into him?”
“My mom’s a huge fan of his books.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I say. “You’re on speaking terms with your mother?”
“It’s a long story.” She pauses. “He was your father’s lawyer on his murder case, right?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Is that why you hate him so much?”
“Okay, Scarlett.” I sigh. “I shouldn’t have called you tonight.”
“I called you.”
“Because I donated money. You would’ve never called me on your own.”
“I’ve wanted to.”
Silence.
“Can you tell me why you hate Peter Hansel?” Her tone softens. “Just, please?”
“Because he barely did his job as my father’s lawyer,” I say. “And the guy who was killed, Tom Raider, was not a victim. He deserved to die.”
“No one deserves to die, Jameson.”
“Tom Raider did.”
She lets out a breath. “And you know for a fact your father didn’t kill him?”
“Five thousand percent.”
“Can I ask you to tell me why?”
“You can, but I won’t answer.”
“Fine, then,” she says. “How’s my father’s case going? How much dirt have you washed away?”
“I’d rather answer the other question.” I roll my eyes.
“I’m listening.”
“Okay.” I pause. “Once I tell you, I need you to hang up the phone and block my number.”
“It’s already blocked, Jameson.”
“No, it’s not,” I say. “You block it and then unblock it every few days because you think I’ll magically turn into who you want me to be, but the truth is…I’m worse. So, once I tell you this, you can move on with Cole.”
“You mean that?”
“No, but I’m in a lose-lose situation for the first time in my life, so—” A sharp ache tears through my chest, begging me to change my mind, but I can’t. “Promise me you’ll hang up once I tell you and never speak to me again.”
“Okay.” Her voice is soft. “I promise.”