Chapter 28 #2
“We can. But I would prefer to get started tonight, if possible.”
Taryn looks worried. “Is there going to be a trial?”
The sheriff’s tone is kind, almost paternal. “I don’t know, Miss Beets. I believe we have our perp in custody. As of right now, you aren’t under arrest.”
She chews on her bottom lip. “I know, but… we took the murder weapon, and we covered the body.”
Phil shakes his head. “What is it that you said?” He pretends he didn’t hear her.
“That you want to have your attorney present at the station? It sounds more than reasonable to me. But I don’t foresee any problems as long as you and your friend agree to testify in court to corroborate what transpires from the recording of today’s events.
I’m sure the D.A. both here and in South Carolina will be amenable to issuing a non-custodial sentence given the fact that you have no priors and were instrumental in catching our perp. ”
I agree with the sheriff. “I’ll call the Reillys. Rachel Reilly is the best criminal attorney in town. You’ve briefly met her son Lev; he’s one of our teammates. She’ll make sure everything goes smoothly for you and Jodie.”
Taryn nods, but she still looks troubled. “So we have to go to trial even if we have his confession on tape?”
The sheriff sighs. “Most probably. Unless Mr. Masters signed a confession and waived his right to a fair trial. But I doubt it since he’s refusing to speak to us without his attorney present.”
“Oh, is he?” I grin. “Phil, is the motherfucker still in that police van over there? Can I have a second to say something to him? You can come with me if you want.”
He arches an eyebrow. “That’s not procedure, but if you make it quick and I can stand right there, I guess I could turn a blind eye for one minute. Not one second more.”
My grin widens. “One second is all I need.”
The scum bag who almost took the life of the woman I love and one of my best friend’s is sitting by the door of the police van with his hands cuffed behind his back.
“Hey Andy,” I smile even though just saying his name makes me want to puke. “We haven’t seen each other since the playoffs last year. Before you go with my good friends at the sheriff's station, there is something I’d like to say to you.”
I grab the front of his shirt and whisper in his ear.
The piece of shit tenses up as I continue saying what I have to say. As I move my face away from his, I see the color drain from his face.
“Sheriff, sir.” He calls out. “I waive my right to an attorney. I killed Tim Greene. I took the murder weapon with me and I dumped it with my bloody clothes outside a gas station near Tucson, Arizona. I was responsible for stalking Taryn. I had a spy app installed on her best friend’s phone, my ex-girlfriend.
I blackmailed her into downloading the app, but after she did, it was I who sent all the threatening messages and it was I who stalked, harassed and attacked Taryn.
I’m solely responsible for everything and I’m willing to sign a confession as soon as my attorney can get one ready.
I waive my right to a trial as long as I’m guaranteed that South Carolina won’t push for a death penalty.
I’m guilty. I take full responsibility for everything. ”
Sheriff Hartman looks shocked. “You do?”
Andy lowers his head. “Yes, sir. I’ll call my attorney to get that confession ready as soon as I’m allowed to.”
The sheriff looks at me. “Tucker, how did you—”
“One second, Phil. I forgot something.”
I punch Andy in the face. I manage to land three punches before the sheriff clears his throat.
“Just as a reminder of what we discussed, Andy. I hope you have a long, horrible life.” I let him go as blood gushes from his nose and mouth. It’s better to walk away before I pass out. All the fights in the world on the ice haven’t changed my visceral reaction to the sight and smell of blood.
I turn back to Taryn and my friends, who are looking at me with equally shocked expressions. “Let’s go to the hospital.” I know they have questions, but I’ll explain everything later.
COLSEN
Tucker is uncharacteristically tight-lipped about what he said to Andy to convince him to confess and waive his right to a trial.
He didn’t even fight me when I called dibs on riding in the ambulance with Taryn and offered to ride with Nash instead.
It’s fine. He can’t evade my questions forever.
After being assessed for injuries, all three patients are kept overnight for observation. The resident doctor doesn’t want to take any chances since they’ve all been hit in the head and knocked unconscious.
Tucker is, of course, a local, and having a mother who’s a nurse at the town hospital has its perks. So he manages to get Nash, Taryn and Jodie all in the same room and we’re allowed to stay the night with them.
Taryn is in better shape than Nash and Jodie since she wasn’t tied in a position that put a strain on her muscles and joints.
But I’m still watching her like a hawk for the smallest sign of a concussion. As a hockey player, I know those signs firsthand.
When she has to go to the bathroom, I go with her, helping her wheel the stand with her IV fluids with her.
She complains that she doesn’t think she needs extra fluids and argues with me about needing help in the bathroom.
“Indulge me, please, pretty girl.” I say, helping her cross the room. “On a rational level, I know you’re going to be fine. But after what almost happened today, I need to stick as close to you as possible. I just need to know that you’re safe.”
“Ok.” She smiles. “I would love your help, please.”
Tucker is back in the room a couple of minutes after I help Taryn back into her bed.
“I just spoke to Coach. He’s going to let Carole and Lexi know we’re all here and inform them about what happened tonight. We’re all excused from practice tomorrow, and Coach will be here in the morning to speak to the medical team and see what’s up with Nash.”
“I’m ok.” Nash grumbles. “Why isn’t anyone listening to me? Yes, my arms and shoulders are killing me right now. But it’s nothing some decent painkillers and a good night's rest won’t fix.”
We all glare at him.
“What?” He rolls his eyes. “Ok, maybe two nights’ rest. But I was strung up to those pipes for maybe a couple of hours at the most. I’m used to playing through pain and injuries. You should all understand that. If I were really fucked up, I’d be the first one to admit it.”
I guess he has a point. “Yeah, I think you’re right. If you were really fucked up, you wouldn’t have the energy to argue so much about everything.”
He flips me off, but he can’t hide the wince of pain when he lifts his hand. “I said I need one night.” He scowls when I raise my eyebrows at him. “By tomorrow morning, I’ll be able to double flip you off and it won’t hurt one bit.”
“Thank you for taking care of this, Tucker.” Jodie sounds anxious. “I’m with Nash that we need one good night's rest. Maybe one whole day and we’ll be back to almost normal. I just hope that one day won’t be a deal breaker for our trainers. We’re so close to making this team.”
I understand her concerns.
Tucker reassures her. “Don’t worry, Jodie. Leave it with Coach Harrison. I told him exactly what you just said, and he promised he’ll make your case for you and Taryn. He’s a very persuasive guy. I have a feeling that everything will be ok.”
He’s smiling like the cat that got the canary, and I’m over it.
I want to know what he said to Andy before he punched him.
“Tuck, now that’s its just us in the room, you need to tell us.
How did you convince Andy to confess to everything and to give up on a trial?
Before you talked to him, he seemed to be set on not wanting to speak without his attorney present.
The sheriff was sure he wanted to fight his way through a trial. ”
My best friend shrugs. “Don’t worry about that. I have my ways.”
I’m about to argue with him, but Taryn intervenes. “I want to know too, Tucker. Please?”
And if Tucker can ignore what I want and leave me hanging, he’s powerless against Taryn’s pleading expression. “Ok, I’ll tell you. It wasn’t really that hard to make him look at his situation a little more realistically.”
“Which means?” Taryn insists.
He relents. “I told him that he would be convicted for Tim’s murder.
Even if his lawyer somehow managed to make his recorded confession inadmissible in court, we would all testify and nail him.
And I pointed out that if he jerked off in Tim’s bathroom, the cops would have his DNA on file and once he got processed by the police, they would be able to put him in that room on the night of the murder.
I also reminded him that South Carolina isn’t California.
They would seek the death penalty and enforce it.
But I also told him that he should be lucky to even make it to South Carolina to stand trial. ”
“How so?” I ask.
And knowing Tucker, his answer shouldn’t surprise me.
“I told him that it would probably take a few days, maybe weeks for him to be sent back to South Carolina.
And in the meantime, he would await extradition here in California, probably in Star Cove, at least at first. I just told him that this is my town.
That the sheriff is a family friend and that my dad has a few close connections within the sheriff's department and the correctional department. One of his first cousins is a warden at the federal prison between Star Cove and Shell Cove. I said that I would let them know what he did. That he tried to kill my girlfriend and one of my teammates.”
I can see where this is going.
“I reminded him that having the prison guards against you is fucking dangerous. I predicted he might get his ass kicked by the other inmates and that the police would turn a blind eye. Or that he might get done by the cops himself for any real or perceived infraction of an order. Either way, he wouldn’t make it back to South Carolina in one piece.
But that if he confessed to everything, exonerated Taryn and Jodie from all of it and gave up to a trial, I would make sure he would be safe in custody. ”
It’s hard not to laugh at Tucker’s satisfied expression. “You spoke to him for a minute or two at the most. Did you say all that?”
“Not in so many words, but it’s the gist of what I said, yes.” He chuckles.
Taryn looks impressed. “I knew you had connections in town, babe. But I didn’t know they were so powerful.”
His smile widens. “That’s because they’re not. Don’t get me wrong, I know a few cops and the new sheriff is a friend. But I doubt they would do my dirty work for me in jail. Andy didn’t know that, though.”
Nash laughs, but it must hurt because he holds his head at the end. “You know, I had the feeling you could talk yourself out of any situation the second we met. I guess I was right.”
Taryn laces her fingers with Tucker’s. “Do you really think that his confession will get me and Jodie off the hook for running with the murder weapon?”
“I don’t see why not. He will admit to everything; you heard him yourself.
I called Rachel Reilly anyway. She’ll follow up with this until everything is finalized to make sure everything goes to plan.
The sheriff, the other cops, and the paramedics heard Andy admitting to everything too, and so did we.
I think you and Jodie are in the clear.”
“Thank you, Tucker.” Jodie doesn’t look relieved that everything seems to be copacetic. “Even though I don’t deserve your help.”
Taryn looks at her best friend. “Why not?”
“Because I sent those messages. I know it was under duress and I was doing it to protect you, but I still feel like shit about it.”
“Jo-Jo.” Taryn’s voice is soft as she looks at her bestie in the bed next to hers. “Andy left you no choice.”
Nash agrees. “I saw his texts to you. He threatened to kill Taryn if you didn’t do what he asked.”
“I know, but… I made your life hell.” Jodie hangs her head.
“You did. But you did it to protect me. I’m not mad at you, Jo-Jo. So please forgive yourself. I just can’t believe that you dated a psycho for years. If I think about it, I’m glad Andy didn’t hurt you.”
Jodie shudders. “Yeah, I know. And he said some horrible things about me. He never even cared about me. I know this will be messing with me in the future. I should probably find a therapist.”
“That’s a good idea. And if you ever need me to, I’ll go with you.”
“Really?” Jodie’s eyes well up with barely contained tears.
Taryn nods. “Ride or die, right?”
There’s a knock on the door. Liz Prescott, Tucker’s mom, comes into the room with a large brown bag in her hands. “Hey guys. You missed dinner while you were getting assessed. I took the liberty of going to Joe’s and got you something to eat.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Tucker beams at her.
“Thanks, ma’am. I mean, Liz,” Taryn smiles.
Liz gives the bag to her son and busies herself fluffing Taryn’s pillows. “Don’t mention it. I knew when we met that I’d see you again. My husband and I will be moving in the next couple of weeks. But once we’re settled, I hope you’ll consider coming to dinner with Tucker and Talia.”
“Of course. I’d be happy to.”
Tucker’s mom looks at all of us. “Now, eat dinner and let our patients rest.” She’s looking at me and Tucker. “Don’t make me regret allowing you to stay. Are we clear?”
“Crystal.” We say in unison.