It was another awkward situation to add to the list of awkward moments in my life when Matthias, Rebel and I showed up to pick my Mother from the bus.
Mama would never cause a scene for all I knew she was happy to see him. She loved him a lot before we split. She didn’t hug him, just smiled and shook his hand. She asked a few questions and that was all. She was glad to know I had another friend. I could tell she was tired so Matthias booked her a nice room at Chester Springs' finest hotel.
Now that she was here she’d take care of everything to do with Comrade's funeral. I couldn’t do it on my own. I told Mama I was staying with Rebel and I’d explain everything in the morning.
By eight pm I’d nibbled on the dinner Matthias bought and sat in his pajamas. Matthias sat behind me, playing with my hair. A part of me yelled to put distance between us, but I wanted to be close to him. Not just because parts of me were breaking. I did love him and that love fought hard against me.
‘Why’d you cut it?’ He whispered into ear.
The words were barely registering. I wanted to say goodbye to Comrade then ditch this town for good.
‘It was too long.’ I mumbled.
‘I loved it that way,’ he said.
I wondered if the police got anywhere with their case. They didn’t know who killed Lexa.
‘Did I tell you about what Betty said—’
‘Yes, you did shh…’ He kissed the side of my head.
‘Why are you shushing me?’
‘Because you’ve never been nosier.’
His arms circled me, pulling me down to bed with him.
‘Wait, wait. Matthias, you’re still with Amber.’
He exhaled and rolled onto his back. One arm supporting his head.
‘It’s been over for a while now. Mom doesn’t think so.’
‘Anyone, but me huh?’
His forehead wrinkled, but he nodded.
‘Why didn’t you tell her the truth? That you framed me. She’d never believe you.’
‘Exactly. She doesn’t believe me. If my father was around. Maybe she’d listen.’
‘I’m sorry.’ I whispered.
He propped up on his shoulder, green eyes grazing my skin.
‘Last time the raiders were in Chester Springs your Dad was murdered. Looked like an accident but it wasn’t. Before that it was my Dad then your Aunt. Then Holden’s Uncle. They know who we are, but we don’t give in to their threats.’
‘Even if it costs us the people we love? It’s a tough business to be in.’
He offered me a small smile. He sat up and pulled me to his chest. He kissed the top of my head. I wrapped my arms around his bare waist.
‘I’m sorry for everything I’ve put you through.’
Tears streamed down my cheeks. I let Matthias hold me and allowed my mind to shut down only for a couple hours.
***
I woke with Matthias' hand still in my hair.
‘I wish we could spend the day like this.’ He said.
‘In your scruffy motel room.’
I rolled over to face him. His hand moved to touch my cheek. I thought he would pull me in and kiss me. He wasn’t ready to do that yet. He sat up and searched for his pants instead.
‘I’m guessing you’ll be spending time with your Mother today.’
I nodded. A long day of calls and places I didn’t exactly want to be. Matthias dropped me off at Mama’s hotel. I checked in with Rebel who again didn’t go to work. I was tempted to call Axel, not for me, but her she needed protection from that monster. Then I remembered he hated my guts. When I got to Mama’s room, she was walking up and down a suite fit for a queen. She had her hair wrapped up in a white towel and matching white robe around her.
‘It’s not like you not to be ready by now Mama. You feeling okay?’
She smiled at me, the laugh lines in her eyes vivid.
‘I’m great my love. This place is treating me like royalty. I have a massage in thirty minutes then I get to sit in the mud.’ She laughed.
‘Mama, we have a booked day.’ My hands landed on my hips.
‘There’s a lot you can do over the phone sweetie. I’ve spoken to everyone. Your friend Rebel's mother Gwen, said she’d handle everything with the church. The police are even letting us back home tomorrow.’
I flopped on the fancy bed, with a royal net over the queen size bed. I knew I needed her.
‘The only thing we’ll have to do in person is talk to your brother. He heard my voice and hung up. Stubborn boy.’
‘He’ll show up.’ I said.
‘Would you like a massage too honey? It’ll do you good.’
I shook my head. I told her I wanted to see Rebel, make sure she was okay. Make sure Rodger left the same way he came if he did stop by.
‘Will you tell me why Matthias is doing this for me and why you’re staying with him?’
I shrugged, ‘You know he loved you. Us not being together won’t change that.’
She nodded, ‘Not being together for now.’
‘Mama!’
She laughed and slipped into her flip-flops. I hugged her goodbye I remained in her arms a little longer. It felt like being in her embrace made my worries a little lighter.
I left Mama to her massage and headed towards the bus stop. I wasn’t a block away from it when a car stopped behind me. I should have kept going, but I froze half thinking it was the man in the hoodie about to jump out and nab me.
Instead Swine and Axel popped out.
‘Well, well Addie. Staying at expensive hotels now are we?’
I swallowed, neither of them needed to know Mama was here.
‘It isn’t a crime, is it?’ I eyed Axel who kept his gaze anywhere but at me.
‘You collect Comrade's life insurance money yet?’ He arched his brow.
I scoffed, ‘Of course not.’
‘We have to ask you a few questions at the station.’
‘Y’all know I didn’t do this. Axel please…’
I even looked at Swine. He shrugged.
‘Get in the back Adele we don’t have time for this.’
They couldn’t just lock me up, could they? Axel would if the evidence compelled him. Swine would make evidence popped out of nowhere.
‘I should call my lawyer.’ I said. I don’t have one, I yelled at myself.
‘You can come with us willingly or in handcuffs.’ Axel blasted.
Handcuffs? If I wasn’t under arrest, then it didn’t need to go that far.
Swine opened the back door for me.
‘You’re an idiot Addie, take the deal these people ain’t playing.’ He whispered.
‘And you’re not?’
‘Heck no, I want to sit by the beach in the Bahamas.’
I rolled my eyes and hopped into the back seat. The ride was filled with Swine's singing and whistling. Axel's gaze darted to the back seat once every couple of minutes. I’d never get used to going to the station. I shot Matthias a quick text before the car stopped in the parking lot.
Help I got caught. Swine & Axel. Station.
It was back to the cold room where they’d start their interrogation. My body trembled as Axel closed the door behind him.
‘I’m not saying anything without my lawyer.’ I blurted out.
‘Got something to hide?’ Axel asked.
‘No, but I have rights!’ I yelled.
‘She’s lawyered up. Let’s go Chambers.’ Swine marched to the door.
‘Fine, stay and wait for your lawyer.’ Axel said.
‘No, Axel! Fine ask me what you want so I can go.’ I flopped on the wooden chair.
Swine was about to close the door when Matthias stuck his boot between the door and the frame. Short man with a cowboy hat followed behind him.
‘She isn’t a suspect,’ Matthias blasted.
‘Well, we don’t know about that.’ The short man said.
‘She was seen at the scene at the time she shot was fired.’ Axel yelled.
‘Your witness statements are conflicted.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘Hold it boys. Axel, you got motive?’ The short man said, he had to be the chief.
‘Life insurance—’
‘Comrade couldn’t afford life insurance nor did he want it.’ The chief pulled up his trousers.
He knew my grandpa. Of course he did every elderly man in town did.
Axel glared at Swine. Swine swallowed, everyone suddenly looked at him for answers. I frowned waiting for him to speak.
‘I-I guess my source must have been wrong chief.’
Chief grumbled, ‘The witnesses say the girl was too skinny, no she was blonde didn’t have black hair. Her overalls were a different color. Get me some hard evidence. I don’t want it to look like we’re using Adele as a scapegoat.’
‘Clearly detective Swine has an agenda.’ Matthias said.
‘You got proof, Hadley?’ Chief asked.
‘Of course.’ Matthias shoved his hands in his pockets.
‘Well, you know I didn’t almost marry her.’ Swine grumbled.
Chief turned to Matthias, ‘Hadley’s recused himself from the case from point forth.’
Matthias shrugged, he knew it was coming.
‘And so have you Chambers. I know what you were up to. Who knows how much evidence I’ve lost.’ Chief stalked out of the interrogation room.
Matthias wrapped his arm around my shoulder and ushered me out of the room. I didn’t even look back.
‘Adele.’ Axel said.
‘Don’t stop,’ I told Matthias.
We kept going. I didn’t want to be here.
‘Adele.’ Axel demanded, but we were out the door before he could stop me.