At my nod, he went on, not hardly pausing like he wanted to get this and over with. “You then reappeared, walking into the gas station downtown. If you can fill in the blanks for me, that will help me get this case closed, and find the man that killed Becca, and taking you afterward.”
Blinking, I hadn’t expected this to be so . . . . straight forward. Hadn’t I needed to give out my detailed version of every little thing?
“My parents were out of town for the week. Normally, I’d go with them, or mom would stay behind with me. But since I’m eighteen, I wanted to stay by myself. I could handle being on my own. Instead, I ended up going to Becca’s house to stay the night,” I answered, my voice monotone. I couldn’t cry, not here.
“Did she have a boyfriend?” he asked out.
“Not that I know of. We told each other everything,” I answered. “Neither of us . . . dated.” I left out that I wasn’t allowed to.
“Go on,” he said.
I went on, explaining how I thought it was just Becca’s parents returning home, but turned out to be Gemini. I glossed over the details, not wanting to remember how her blood had soaked into the bed before I was knocked out. I left out that Gemini wasn’t alone, more to the fact that I didn’t want Zachariah upset about it, too.
I told him how I woke up in the back of a van, and then woke up his apartment, and was stuck there for the past two weeks.
“He – Gem– left his bipolar meds out on the counter one night. So, I took advantage and slipped them in his food after crushing them. He went to bed early after complaining he felt ill and I took my chance. It was dark out, so I just walked until I came to the gas station,” I lied without blinking.
How could I lie so easily when all my life it was drilled into my mind that it was a sin? I had never lied like this before. What was wrong with me?
“Had you seen your attacker before that night?” he fired off.
“No,” I answered after thinking it over. I had never seen Gemini before. Shemoli, yes. Once or twice, but he never talked to me, least of all looked my way.
“He didn’t harm you?” he asked, almost sounding like he couldn’t believe it.
“No. He only wanted adaughterto keep his place clean and to make him food. He never touched me in any sexual way,” I answered.
“But you got away,” he spoke, almost as though he wasn’t sure about my story. He had the right to not believe it.
“I got away on luck,” I said. “I knew I wouldn’t get another chance.”
“Why did you demand to speak with me, Avidya? I may be on your case, but I know for a fact that we have never met, and your father would never talk highly of me inside your home,” he asked, leaning back in his chair and staring at me. He couldn’t figure me out, which I wasn’t sure was a good or bad thing.
“A friend said you would be the best to talk with,” I answered. “No one but you could be trusted.”
“What friend?” he asked, instantly on alert and sitting back up straight.
“Jonas Carter,” I answered without missing a beat. I watched as he kept his expression blank.
“Would have been nice to know ahead of time,” he muttered to himself. Then louder, “How do you know Jonas?”
“He works with my dad and is like an uncle to me. He’d told me often to ask for you if I ever found myself here.”
“He’s a wise man,” the detective smiled. “But there’s more. You won’t tell me, will you?”
I shook my head in a small shake. “I told you what I can.”
“This . . . was not recorded. But I guess we’ll meet again soon enough. Now, I’m sure your parents are here by now,” he stated.
“And I go back to real life,” I summarized.
“Yes,” he stated. “You don’t seem pleased with that.”
“Not when my every move will be watched,” I muttered. “Overprotective parents.”
“They care,” he said. “You should hold onto that. There are many parents that want nothing to do with their children.”
“Being an only child tends to make them worse,” I laughed. “I’m just glad I escaped.”
“Me too,” he stated, gathering up his stuff. “Not everyone is so lucky.”
As he walked me to the door, he whispered quietly before opening the door, “I know you were targeted, so be careful. I have someone keeping an eye on your house. I’m here if you need anything at all.”
