David was Reese’s best friend. They grew up together and were inseparable. Including when they moved on to criminal activity. I press my fingertips to my lips as nausea churns in my stomach.
“Yep, it’s me. What have you been up to these last few months?”
My breath comes out in pants. “How did you get this number?”
“That’s the odd part, Maggie. You changed your number. You moved. And I can’t find your parents.”
While my parents and siblings aren’t in witness protection like I am, they were strongly encouraged to move out of Chicago. Until now, I had no idea if they did. The only solace David calling me will ever give me is that they seemed to heed that warning. Jenson would never confirm or deny what they did, which I hated but understood.
I try to make my voice as strong as possible. “I don’t know what to tell you, David. I felt like I needed a fresh start after everything. My family doesn’t talk to me anymore. They disowned me because of my being with Reese.”
“Hmm…I suppose that’s possible.” The line is so silent, I pull the phone away from my ear to see if it has disconnected. “There’s another possibility.”
My hand fists the blanket next to my hip.
“Surely, you wouldn’t be that fucking stupid to testify, would you, Maggie?” David draws out.
I can barely swallow. I feel like I might suffocate. But I force myself to answer as calmly as possible. “No, I wouldn’t do that.”
David hums through the phone. “That’s what I thought. I told Reese you wouldn’t do that.”
Wetting my suddenly parched lips, I say, “I have to go, David.”
“Okay, it was good talking to you, Maggie. Maybe I’ll see you around.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
My hand drops to my lap as I press the screen to disconnect. I sit on my bed, my body shaking uncontrollably, until fear has me springing into action. Jumping up from my bed, I scroll through my contacts until I find the one I need. I pace through my bedroom, forgetting that I’m only in my thong and bra.
“What, Maggie?”
“Jenson, I’m sorry to call you, but I think I’m in trouble.”
His annoyed and disinterested sigh has my feet freezing. “And why would you think that?”
“David, Reese’s friend, just called me. Said something about it being suspicious that I left town and have a new number, and he warned me not to testify.” My words tumble out of my mouth despite being frustrated by Jenson’s initial response. He’s the only person I have to contact.
Jenson is silent for a few beats. I can feel sweat starting to form around my hairline.
“I’m sure it’s nothing.”
My head rears back, and I throw a hand in the air. “Nothing? The best friend of the man I’m supposed to help convict just called me on a number no one from my past life is supposed to have, and all you have to say is,it’s probably nothing?”
His tone doesn’t change. “Relax, it’s not like he can trace it. It’s not even a Nashville area code. We’ll get you a new number.”
“Can you please just make some calls?” My voice borders on frantic.
Another annoyed sigh grates on my already shredded nerves. “Fine. Just don’t do anything stupid in the meantime, I guess.”
The line goes silent. I look at my phone. He hung up on me.
My eyes fall closed as a tear slips down my cheek. I pick up my phone one more time.
Me: Hey Ella, I’m not feeling well. I won’t be able to make it tonight.
22
Ian
