Phil shakes his head. “What is it that you said?” He pretends he didn’t hear her. “That you want to have your attorney present at the station? It sounds more than reasonable to me. But I don’t foresee any problems as long as you and your friend agree to testify in court to corroborate what transpires from the recording of today’s events. I’m sure the D.A. both here and in South Carolina will be amenable to issuing a non-custodial sentence given the fact that you have no priors and were instrumental in catching our perp.”
I agree with the sheriff. “I’ll call the Reillys. Rachel Reilly is the best criminal attorney in town. You’ve briefly met her son Lev; he’s one of our teammates. She’ll make sure everything goes smoothly for you and Jodie.”
Taryn nods, but she still looks troubled. “So we have to go to trial even if we have his confession on tape?”
The sheriff sighs. “Most probably. Unless Mr. Masters signed a confession and waived his right to a fair trial. But I doubt it since he’s refusing to speak to us without his attorney present.”
“Oh, is he?” I grin. “Phil, is the motherfucker still in that police van over there? Can I have a second to say something to him? You can come with me if you want.”
He arches an eyebrow. “That’s not procedure, but if you make it quick and I can stand right there, I guess I could turn a blind eye for one minute. Not one second more.”
My grin widens. “One second is all I need.”
The scum bag who almost took the life of the woman I love and one of my best friend’s is sitting by the door of the police van with his hands cuffed behind his back.
“Hey Andy,” I smile even though just saying his name makes me want to puke. “We haven’t seen each other since the playoffs last year. Before you go with my good friends atthe sheriff's station, there is something I’d like to say to you.”
I grab the front of his shirt and whisper in his ear.
The piece of shit tenses up as I continue saying what I have to say. As I move my face away from his, I see the color drain from his face.
“Sheriff, sir.” He calls out. “I waive my right to an attorney. I killed Tim Greene. I took the murder weapon with me and I dumped it with my bloody clothes outside a gas station near Tucson, Arizona. I was responsible for stalking Taryn. I had a spy app installed on her best friend’s phone, my ex-girlfriend. I blackmailed her into downloading the app, but after she did, it was I who sent all the threatening messages and it was I who stalked, harassed and attacked Taryn. I’m solely responsible for everything and I’m willing to sign a confession as soon as my attorney can get one ready. I waive my right to a trial as long as I’m guaranteed that South Carolina won’t push for a death penalty. I’m guilty. I take full responsibility for everything.”
Sheriff Hartman looks shocked. “You do?”
Andy lowers his head. “Yes, sir. I’ll call my attorney to get that confession ready as soon as I’m allowed to.”
The sheriff looks at me. “Tucker, how did you?—”
“One second, Phil. I forgot something.”
I punch Andy in the face. I manage to land three punches before the sheriff clears his throat.
“Just as a reminder of what we discussed, Andy. I hope you have a long, horrible life.” I let him go as blood gushes from his nose and mouth. It’s better to walk away before I pass out. All the fights in the world on the ice haven’t changed my visceral reaction to the sight and smell of blood.
I turn back to Taryn and my friends, who are looking atme with equally shocked expressions. “Let’s go to the hospital.” I know they have questions, but I’ll explain everything later.
COLSEN
Tucker is uncharacteristically tight-lipped about what he said to Andy to convince him to confess and waive his right to a trial.
He didn’t even fight me when I called dibs on riding in the ambulance with Taryn and offered to ride with Nash instead.
It’s fine. He can’t evade my questions forever.
After being assessed for injuries, all three patients are kept overnight for observation. The resident doctor doesn’t want to take any chances since they’ve all been hit in the head and knocked unconscious.
Tucker is, of course, a local, and having a mother who’s a nurse at the town hospital has its perks. So he manages to get Nash, Taryn and Jodie all in the same room and we’re allowed to stay the night with them.
Taryn is in better shape than Nash and Jodie since she wasn’t tied in a position that put a strain on her muscles and joints.
But I’m still watching her like a hawk for the smallest sign of a concussion. As a hockey player, I know those signs firsthand.
When she has to go to the bathroom, I go with her, helping her wheel the stand with her IV fluids with her.
She complains that she doesn’t think she needsextra fluids and argues with me about needing help in the bathroom.
“Indulge me, please, pretty girl.” I say, helping her cross the room. “On a rational level, I know you’re going to be fine. But after what almost happened today, I need to stick as close to you as possible. I just need to know that you’re safe.”
