Fool Me Once

Mr. Berkowitz sits down and we go over everything that happened. He has me walk him through my friendship with Brenton and tell him anything I know about him and his family. When he feels he’s caught up, he steps out to let them know we’re ready.

Officer Cronin and Officer Duncan come back in with Mr. Berkowitz and begin to question me. I tell them everything I know, which isn’t much. I feel so stupid that I had no idea Brenton has been selling drugs right under my nose. I learn that the deliveries he’s been making with me in the car weren’t cell phone related.

“Have you ever met Miguel Sanchez before?” Officer Cronin asks.

“No, but Brenton told me he’s his mom’s ex-boyfriend.”

He nods. Since they’re recording the conversation, he doesn’t have to write anything down.

“I think that’s all for now,” Officer Duncan says. “If we think of anything else, we’ll call you.” Both officers stand, and when Mr. Berkowitz does as well, I stand with them.

“If any questions arise, you are to contact me directly,” Mr. Berkowitz says, shaking each of their hands, and then handing Officer Duncan a business card.

“Will do.”

When both officers leave, Mr. Berkowitz tells me I did well and gives me his card. Then he offers to give me a ride home. While I appreciate his offer, at the end of the day, I don’t really know him and would rather take the bus. He tries to argue, but gives up when he sees I’m not going to budge.

When we walk down the hall toward the front desk, so I can get my cell phone back, I hear Keegan’s voice. I want to find where it’s coming from, but my broken heart stops me from looking.

After getting my phone and telling Mr. Berkowitz again that I’m okay taking the bus, I pull up my maps app to find where the closest bus stop is. I consider calling Sierra, but figure it will be better to speak to her in person. I don’t know what I’ll do if I find out she’s been lying to me as well.

There’s a stop five blocks south, so I start to head in that direction when I hear my name being called. I will myself not to look back, knowing full well it’s Keegan’s voice, but he quickly catches up and stops in front of me, forcing me to stop as well.

“We need to talk,” he pleads. “Please.”

“Our time for talking has passed.” I take in a deep breath so I don’t lose it again.

“No.” He shakes his head. “I need you to let me explain.”

“Explain how you and your entire family has been lying to me since we got back in touch? How I thought I was gaining a family, one I never really had growing up because my father was a piece of shit liar, only to learn I’m a damn fool?” My voice cracks on the last word, and I have to close my eyes so I don’t cry.

“You’re not a fool, Blakely,” Keegan says. “And you do have a family. None of us wanted to keep it from you, I swear. If there were any other way…”

“There’s always another way,” I argue. “This entire time I thought we were creating a life together, but I was nothing more than part of your investigation.”

“That’s not true. I know you’re upset right now, but you have to know how much you mean to me. I never imagined you’d get caught up in all of this. And once I found out Brenton was selling, I tried to get off the case.”

“When did you find out he was selling?”

“The night you went with him to that party.”

I think back to that night. I thought it was just a coincidence that Keegan showed up to the same party I was at. “How did you know I was there?”

Keegan’s eyes go wide and then he lets out a loud sigh. “I set up the tracker on your phone.”

Oh my God! “You bugged my phone?” I screech.

“No, every iPhone has a tracking app. I just turned yours on and followed you. I couldn’t see anything else on your phone besides your location. I swear.”

Jesus, this is all too much. “I need to go home.” I try to walk around Keegan, but he blocks my way, and that pisses me off. “Move.”

“Jailbird,” he begins, but I cut him off.

“Don’t. Don’t call me that name. Don’t call me anything!” Hot tears hit my eyelids, but I quickly blink them away. “I’m going home. I have nothing to say to you.”

“We have a son together,” he points out.

“I’m well aware!” I’m now swiping at my eyes, trying to stop the tears from falling. Everything was so perfect and now it’s all messed up.

“I know you’re mad right now, and you have every right to be. But I meant what I said before. No matter what happens, we’re family.”