Jaded (Jaded 1)

Sheila turned almost sympathetic eyes towards me and said softly, "She went home. He wasn't with her the whole night."

"I can't…this is preposterous!"

I felt the string quickly racing from my hands. The end was nearing and I watched, horrified and in slow motion, as it came and passed through. My hands were too slow, too clumsy, and I stood without an anchor.

"You need to wake up about your friend, Jaded. I understand the blinders considering all the things that have happened to you. I understand why you're denying what's in front of your eyes, but open your eyes. His prints were on the fourth letter. He's virtually got no alibi for either of the murders and he's got the criminal history to back up our claims. He's got a one way ticket to being a career criminal with anti-social qualities. And I'm not talking someone who's just unfriendly. I'm talking anti-social personality disorder. Go to any prison and you'll find more than you can count. That's where they go, to prison."

"I…"

Everything was collapsing.

"We've got a psychologist coming in for an assessment. He's going to tell us that Corrigan is capable of murdering two teenage girls. Judges listen to those guys."

"Corrigan didn't murder anyone. My god—he was arrested because he thinks one of you guys know who did and they're not doing anything about it," Bryce said harshly.

Sheila quieted and seemed to withdraw, though her feet didn't move.

Bryce saw it too and he murmured, not missing a beat, "Is that what this is about? He fingered one of you guys so you're taking him down? Does it work that way?"

"You better watch what you're claiming…," Sheila said faintly, but she backed off.

"Can we talk to him?" I asked, a sudden white flag rose in the air.

Sheila glanced over my shoulders, sighed, and said faintly, "No."

"Fine." I nodded tightly and Bryce moved ahead of me for the door. He saw the disengaged expression on my face and abruptly bundled me outside, away from prying eyes and ears. The cold air was cool and crisp. It was exactly what I needed.

Bryce waited behind me…

And then I turned swiftly and punched him.

Bryce didn't move. He didn't react. He didn't even flinch. He knew it was coming.

"You came here and talked to her?!" I exclaimed, harshly.

Bryce knew it was coming. He murmured, "I wanted to help. I want them to know as much as possible to find this psycho."

"And instead, they twisted your words and they're still after Corrigan!"

Bryce didn't say anything, not for awhile. And I held my breath, knowing that was the worst reaction I could've hoped for…and then I heard, faintly, …

"Maybe they're after the right guy."

I sucked in my breath and lashed out blindly, "You did not just say that!"

Bryce backed up. "I'm just saying—"

I turned my back, but my words were lethal, "You did not just say that!"

"I did, Sheldon." He sighed heavily behind me.

"Go away," I said tightly.

"No," he said just as tightly.

"You cannot…it's not Corrigan…"

Bryce sighed, ragged, and said softly, faintly, "I think we both need to face the facts that we don't know who it is…"

Chapter 30

They wouldn't let Corrigan out on bail. He was too important and sacred. I agreed, but for different reasons. As we left, we bypassed his parents. They'd been called by another student, a Good Samaritan that would be rewarded when Corrigan hunted him down in thanks.

Harris dropped us off at home and we found Mandy to be true to her word. Everyone was gone except Chet and Tatum. The house was nearly spotless and all three were lounging on the couches, watching television.

Bryce took a beer for me and one for him before he dropped down on the closest empty seat next to Mandy.

I was exhausted, but I still noticed how Mandy tensed.

Mandy may be more mature than the average girl, but she still had the same schoolgirl tendencies for the average crush. Bryce was oblivious and I was oblivious to his outstretched hand as he waited for me to notice the beer.

"You guys get Corrigan out?" Chet asked.

I curled on Bryce's lap as he answered, a deep timber that reverberated through his chest to mine.

"No. They wouldn't let us post bail until he saw a judge, but his parents got called. They showed when we were leaving."

Chet barked out a laugh, along with Tatum.

Mandy frowned and asked, "What? I don't get it."

No one bothered to explain it, but Chet remarked, "Corrigan's going to love that."

"Who called?" Tatum asked. "The cops can't do that."

"A student."

"Corrigan's going to love that kid." Chet cracked another grin in amusement.

"Thanks for cleaning," I told Chet.

He shrugged and gestured to Mandy and Tatum, "They helped. Mandy got all the sobbing hystericals out and Tatum helped with the guys. And some Kevin guy took off. He said that nothing came up, but the stuff was still running. He said you'd know what he meant."

Tatum grinned proudly, "All the guys helped out, but most wanted to go to Harris'. He's having an after-party party at his place, but I don't think he actually knows that since he was with you guys."

"Don't suppose you two are going?" Chet murmured.

Bryce slid a hand down my back and answered, "No, we're not going." His hand stopped caressing my leg, but he tightened his hold and clasped me strongly against him.

"Let's go to Harris'," Tatum exclaimed as he stood from the couch.

Mandy sighed and stood, slower.

Chet grinned as they left. He stopped just short of the stairs and said as an afterthought, "That Donadeli kid showed up tonight. He said that he was invited, but he took off again. He's going to come back later in the morning to pick up the Party Packs. Have a good night, guys!"

His chuckle could be heard as he jogged upstairs and shut the door behind him.

As the door closed with a deafening click, the laughter was cut off abruptly.

The absence echoed around the mansion and all I heard was Bryce's breathing.

I moved and straddled him instead.

Bryce's hand fell to my legs and he relaxed against the back of the couch.

Our eyes met and we both waited for the other to break the laughter's absent echo.

I broke it and murmured, "Mandy has a crush on you."

"Left field." Bryce grinned. "So?"

"So. Nothing."

He asked and watched me intently, "Or were you hoping for a reaction?"

"No," I lied.

"What are you doing? I don't care about Mandy. You know that."

I said evasively, "Mandy's not stupid. She's kinda cool. I like her."

"She's stupid for being friends with Becky Lew."

"You're stupid for letting her sit on your lap all those times," I pointed out.