Chapter Twenty-Seven #2
He was silent for a while. Just as I was thinking maybe I could jump at him and surprise him, he said, very quietly, “Nobody’s called me that in many years.” He sighed. “And I wasn’t coming after you and Vienna. I didn’t even know you were there. I was… talking to the records.”
Right. Where are you hiding? When I find you, I’m going to rip you to pieces. It was a little silly, but it made more sense.
He went on, “I knew there was more in the house that could point to me, but getting those would at least buy me time where I could hopefully get back in and find it. As a child I hid a time capsule beneath one of the loose floorboards, but I couldn’t remember exactly where.
I’d written all under the walls. I needed that building. ”
Grim satisfaction. I said, “William’s not your legal name anymore, right? When did you change it?”
“When I went to college,” he said. “I introduced myself to my roommate and told him I’d grown up in New York.
He said, ‘Wow, that’s so badass. Ever get in a knife fight on the subway?
’ I’d never taken the subway, of course, but the awe in his voice, Pom…
He thought I was a fighter. A survivor. A badass.
Nobody had ever spoken to William Melrose, the weak, nerdy kid born with a silver spoon in his mouth, like that.
So I went along with it. Told him I went by my middle name, Kevin, which was actually the name of our family chef.
And just like that, I became someone else. ”
“You embellished it over the years,” I said. “Until Kevin was a whole different person. Your entire brand’s been built on this idea that you’re Kevin Miller, a guy who worked his way up from nothing. It all falls apart if they find out you’re actually William Melrose.”
“That’s what I told Conrad.” His tone was almost pleading, but the gun didn’t move.
His arm had to be aching by now. “After that speech of his, I knew he’d discovered the truth.
” That speech when both Vienna and I had thought he’d been talking to her.
“I’d almost forgotten about the place, didn’t even realize what was there until what he said.
I cornered him afterward to beg him to let me buy that building and destroy all the records.
Nothing against your organization, Pom—I would’ve donated an equivalent building or amount of money in its place. I couldn’t let the secret get out.
“But Conrad laughed at me,” Kevin continued, his voice growing choked.
“He told me I’d been lying to people for far too long, and he couldn’t wait to see the movie based on my life.
Which I wouldn’t get to see, because I’d be in prison for fraud.
” He cleared his throat. “I didn’t mean to kill him.
Just shove him and make him shut up. But he was injured already from some other altercation”—the one with my dad—“and he staggered back.”
I let the words hang there in the air for a moment, much like Conrad Phlume hadn’t hung there for a moment after toppling over the railing. “Wow,” I said. “So. Even if I sell you the building, you know I know your secret. One you’ve already killed to protect.”
“I meant what I said about not wanting to hurt you,” he said earnestly. “You’re my girlfriend’s friend. We should go on a double date sometime.”
An absurd laugh couldn’t help but bubble up my throat. “They do say the best way to make couple friends is to hold them at gunpoint. They can’t say no.”
“I like you, Pom,” Kevin said, smiling in what almost seemed to be a genuine way. “Let’s be friends.”
“ ‘Let’s be friends,’ ” I repeated. “Hmm. Would you like to tell me how Vienna’s earring wound up in Conrad’s hand?”
That smile vanished in what might as well have been a puff of smoke. “I…”
“You thought it was mine, didn’t you?” I said.
“That’s why, after you noticed it on the ground and picked it up, you gave it to Conrad before you pushed him off the ledge.
Which would seem to suggest you didn’t just shove him a little to stop him from talking.
You pushed him. Hard. Intending to kill him, and to frame me. ”
Something dark glinted in his eyes. “I would stop right there, Pom. I don’t want to have to hurt you.”
“You’re not going to hurt me no matter what,” I said. “Because there aren’t any bullets in that gun.”
He scoffed. “You’re wrong. I loaded it myself this morning.”
“I’m right,” I said. I so did enjoy saying those words, and my God, hopefully they were correct. “Persimmon unloaded it herself this afternoon. She sent me a video. Would you like to see?”
“You’re wrong,” he said, but he sounded less sure of himself this time. “She wouldn’t do that.”
“Oh, but she would,” I said. “She helped me put it all together, by the way. Although she thought you were having an affair. With Denise Ryan, at first. You weren’t, were you? You were just trying to help her cover up her own secret.”
“You can’t think—”
“I think we’ve got enough.” I raised my voice. “It’s time.”
The whole area lit up like a Christmas tree.
All of a sudden, I was surrounded by a crowd of people: Gabe, Vienna, Persimmon, my security guy, a bunch of cops.
I very nearly collapsed with relief. I’d been pretty sure this would all work out, but not 100 percent sure.
“I’m not stupid,” I said, staring at Kevin.
He was blinking hard, his eyes still adjusting to the light, but I hoped he could see the triumph on my face. “And I win.”
Kevin didn’t have anything to say back to that. He appeared to be in shock, blinking hard and fast as the police cuffed him and read him his rights, as if he’d never thought he would actually see the consequences for what he’d done.
I supposed that was one thing about being William Melrose that remained.
Gabe emerged from the crowd of people and immediately enveloped me in his arms, bringing me in so tight it was almost hard to breathe. “I wish you’d let me come with you.”
“You know it had to be me alone,” I said, my voice muffled by his chest. “That’s why we had to fake that fight. Otherwise he’d never believe I was out walking alone.”
“I know.” His own voice was a growl. “But I didn’t like it. Never again.”
I looked over toward the security guy. “And he’s okay?”
“Yes,” Gabe said. “Kevin pushed him into the trunk of a locked car. We let him out right away.”
Vienna let out a tinkling, almost musical laugh, reminding me she was there. “Of course you’ll never have to do this again, Gabe. What are the odds that you’ll ever have to solve another murder?”
Gabe and I exchanged a dark glance. That was almost exactly what we’d said the last time. It had to be true this time, though.
Right?
Persimmon had been silent, turning her back to us as she watched the police lead Kevin away.
I disentangled myself from Gabe and, with a quick look and raised eyebrow, left him to talk with his brother the cop while Vienna and I descended on our friend.
“Thank you again for helping us earlier,” I said.
“This whole thing was stressful enough, but it would’ve been a lot more stressful if there had been bullets in that gun. ”
“You’re welcome,” she said quietly, her shoulders drooping forward as if she were a wilted flower. “I’m glad you’re okay. But I’m sorry this all happened.”
Honestly, I was surprised she wasn’t angrier. She was my friend, but not a close enough friend where I could trust her not to run immediately to her boyfriend with the details of our investigation if I’d shared them with her.
So I’d lied. I’d told her I was going to help her make absolutely sure Kevin wasn’t having an affair and wouldn’t have an affair even if someone stunning (e.g.
, me) came on to him, and that she had to remove the bullets in his gun in case he got really, really angry at me.
I’d made her send me a video of it just in case she rolled her eyes at the thought he might shoot someone over an affair and told me she’d done it when she really hadn’t.
I told her, “I’m glad I’m okay, too, and also sorry that it all happened. I’m especially sorry that I had to lie to you. This must come as a major shock.”
She sighed. “At least he wasn’t cheating on me, right?”
She’d be okay.
The group of us joined back up as we began heading out of the park, Kevin already gone.
Gabe slipped his hand into mine. “This moment, actually,” he said.
“It’s a triumphant one. A memorable one.
But…” He knelt forward, slipping his hand out of mine and turning himself around to face me.
On one knee. “Do you know what would make it more memorable?”
My jaw dropped open. Oh God. No. Not here. Not now. “Gabe—”
“Making sure your shoelace is tied so that you don’t trip and fall flat on your face.” Gabe ducked his head, but I could still see the smirk on his lips as he knotted my laces. He knew exactly what he was doing.
I shoved him gently on one shoulder once he’d stood. “Funny guy.”
“I try.”
I inhaled deeply as we neared Fifth Avenue, tilting my head back and regarding the sky.
It was partially washed out from the city’s light pollution, but you could still see a nice scattering of stars.
Central Park was one of my favorite places.
It was also free to spend time in. “I do love Central Park, though. You know. For future reference.”
Gabe flashed me a lopsided smile. “I’ll keep the future in mind.”
And off we went into the night, leaving the past behind.