I wait again. When the stillness lasts long enough, I finally look around.
C’s on my right, silent. Behind us, Trick’s talking, quietly giving instructions.
I turn my head.
Hannah’s gun lies on the ground between Rachel and her mother. Trick’s gun is in his hand, but it’s pointed at the ground as he speaks.
The shot to Frank’s neck was an unbelievably lucky one when the car was moving. I wouldn’t have thought either of the women could’ve made it, but it had to have been because my crue had to come around the corner. Trick didn’t have the position or range for it. My gaze hits the gun on the ground. Which of them had it when Frank was shot?
* * *
Rachel
I answer questions—and don’t answer them—for hours. At first, I concentrate very hard on Trick’s quickly spoken advice, but over time, I find my own rhythm in the police interrogation. I repeat the safe answers and say I don’t know to everything else about the shooting. I also say I’m not sure to many other questions, repeating over and over that I’m in shock and can’t think. It’s half true.
When they finally release me from the interrogation room, I touch the wall for support. I haven’t eaten in hours and almost feel like I’m floating. I follow a detective to the front, and there’s a lot of noise.
From somewhere, Sasha appears right in front of me and picks me up.
I don’t say anything. I’m cradled tight against his body, and he turns and then pushes forward until we’re outside. Daylight has faded. I don’t know what time it is.
Both Rovers are parked. Trick hops out of one. He comes around and opens the passenger door and Sasha gets in, still holding onto me. The door closes.
“Is Frank dead?” I ask.
“Yes,” Sasha says.
I’m numb, but somewhere at the edge of my feelings I’m relieved.
“My mom will be able to stay,” I say. “She won’t have to leave again.”
“No, she’s good. C and Zoe have her in the other car. She’s safe.”
“She came back for me,” I mumble. “When she thought I was in trouble.”
“Yeah. And she’s been trying to reach out for a long time. She says she sent you messages through the Instagram account.”
“I didn’t get those. He controlled that account. I didn’t have the password.”
“She says she sent a train ticket to Illinois where she lives.”
I close my eyes and smile. It wasn’t a trick. The note and ticket were from my mom. If I’d known... but then I might not have become truly free. And I wouldn’t have been with Sasha.
The timing worked out, I tell myself. Everything happened exactly when it was supposed to happen.
“Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.”
~ Edgar Allan Poe
