We’re finished with our part of the trial. Jury is going to deliberations now. I’ll keep you posted.
Now getting rest was going to be impossible.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
The room was warm and Elena found herself comfortable, wrapped in a blanket on the couch in the main area of the dorms. She’d fought not to fall asleep but gave in after they’d eaten their sandwiches. Plus, both Josh and Eric had told her she wasn’t making sense when they’d first started discussing the case. This was the first time she’d been able to get any solid rest for she didn’t even know how long. What day was it anyway?
She didn’t know how long she’d slept, but as she woke up, sun came in through the window, glinting off the snow surrounding the buildings. She loved the snow and the setting, but the thought of their footprints leading right to this building was unsettling given how the other men had been able to find her so easily.
Although, for the first time in days, she felt safe. She couldn’t believe she was thinking this in the presence of two men wanted by the law. They weren’t after her and Elena had the sense that they would protect her. Even Eric, who was in the middle of a tense conversation with Josh. She kept her eyes closed and pretended like she was still asleep so she could eavesdrop. They’d discussed Eric turning himself in for Maya—who must be the girlfriend and daughter—for her sake.
“I’m safer out of prison and I’ll turn myself in when the time is right,” Eric said. “When I’m ready to face what I’ve done, but for now, I’m going to have some sort of relationship with my kids while I can. I have a granddaughter—my other daughter’s little girl. And I have a son. Until some loose ends are tied up, no one I’m related to is safe.”
“We’ll talk about this later,” Josh answered.
Elena peeked and could see Josh staring at her. He knew she was awake, so she pretended like she had just woken up.
“Feel better?” Josh asked.
“I do,” Elena said. “I needed that.”
“You did. I made some coffee that Eric found in a supply closet. You can have some if you want. When you’re ready, let’s discuss the case more. I’ve filled Eric in as much as I can,” Josh said.
“Okay. Coffee sounds great. I haven’t had a cup in…actually, I don’t even know what day it is or how long ago I had a coffee.” Elena stood and poured herself a mug. The smell was the best thing she’d experienced over the past couple days. Then she went to the table where Josh and Eric sat and took a sip. It tasted delicious. Heaven. “What can I tell you two?”
“Josh told me what made you reopen this case,” Eric said. “Pretty sloppy to frame a person who has an alibi, even if that is a drive-by shooting.”
“Yeah, I agree. The guy in prison—Diego Perez, although he goes by Ref—has served four years and is showing that he might be making good changes. He’s doing things like counseling teenagers coming in who are in gangs. He’s been taking classes and supposedly has left the gang life. I thought he would be eligible for parole and he’d be excited when I went to talk to him. I offered a deal if he’d be a witness for the drive-by shooting.”
“I take it he wasn’t excited,” Eric said.
“No,” Elena continued. “In fact, he warned me about this case. Told me there were powerful people who would want it left alone. I sort of wish I’d listened.”
“The little bit I know you,” Josh piped up, “I don’t think you’re that kind of person.”
“You’re right. I wouldn’t have let it go,” Elena conceded. “And when I heard you might have evidence, my ego got in the way too.”
“What do you mean?” Eric asked.
“I thought if I could prove Ref was innocent and find the real killer of the senator’s daughter, then I’d get promoted. Be an up-and-coming superstar. You know, crap like that. Talk about being wrong.” Elena took another sip of coffee and then set the mug back down. “But these men that have been after me. I think some of them have law enforcement ties, and we know there are also ties to the Dark Angels. How can I ever go back to Chicago?”
“I can tell you, it’s not fun being on the run,” Eric said. “We need to solve this case. There’s one person here in Colorado and in town right now that has a lot to lose, and that’s the senator. Hopefully Maya will take the evidence and maybe she can find ties between the senator and the Dark Angels.”
“That would be a good start,” Elena said. “I know gangs and politicians are helping each other out these days. Paying each other off, that sort of thing. It’s like gangs have replaced the mob. It’s crazy.”
“Dale Bradford started out as a prosecutor,” Josh said. “Then he ran for governor and won. By a landslide. By the time Sydney was murdered, he was starting his campaign for senator. I think he honestly has his sights set on the White House.”
“Maybe some of the gangs helped with that. They tell their members how to vote. Go through neighborhoods and tell people if they vote the right way, things will be safer. Of course, we know that’s not true, but I think in some of those neighborhoods, people are so desperate they’ll believe anything. I know I was that way.”
“You grew up in a rough neighborhood?” Josh asked.
“Yeah, I did. It’s hard to forget the days where your mom won’t let you play out front because of the violence. Just in case there was a shooting or something,” Elena said. “I understand why people listen to the gang leaders. In an odd way, it’s their best protection. And the gangs can help politicians get elected and even shape policy.”
“Sounds like the mob days,” Eric said. “Tell me more about Sydney.”
Elena stared at Josh. “I’d like to hear more about her too.”
Josh cleared his throat. “She was a wild child, to say the least. And then she got into things like being a high-end escort and selling drugs. The good stuff. I would know.”
