“I already told the other cop everything,” Jeff protested. “Why are you wasting my time getting it all again?”
“I know this is a pain,” Hope said, “but I’m not doing it just to be annoying. The suspect you fingered is telling us a different story, so we have to go over everything again so that the district attorney feels comfortable pressing charges.”
“Of course he is.” Jeff’s eyes flashed. “That guy would say or do anything to save his own ass. He’s a liar, always has been, and always will be, and I hope he finally gets what he deserves.”
“So you’ve had run-ins with him before?”
“Not really. I don’t really… I mean, I don’t hang out with stoners and losers like him. I’ve just heard things. It’s all over campus. People are always complaining about that guy.”
Hope wrote that down. “Let’s shift gears a minute,” she said. “I’m going to show you some pictures of the other victims. If you know any of them, let me know.” She pressed a button on her tablet and showed Jeff the pictures she had shown Marissa before, plus one of Marissa. She watched carefully as Jeff looked at each picture. He spent a long time on each one, but he had his head down, so she couldn’t see the expression on his face. Finally he looked up and shook his head. “Sorry. I wish I knew them. Then maybe I could explain why this happened.” He slid the tablet back over to Hope. “Hmm…,” he said. “I know this isn’t the right time to say this, but you know, I’m interning for Nicole Walker, and landing an interview with any of these victims would really impress her.”
“They’re not talking to the press.” Hope’s voice was hard. “And you can tell Nicole to stop asking you to try to get information on this case, because there isn’t any to give.”
“Come on, there has to be something. I mean, this is a huge case, so - “
“Do you have anything else to add to your statement about what happened to you? If not, you’re free to go.”
“Back up a second there. Why would Hope have been talking to me about you?” Aiden asked JJ.
“I… I dunno. No reason really. I guess I just figured…”
“What, that because Hope and I are dating, the first thing she’s going to tell me is, ‘Guess who was a witness to an arrest my officers made today?’ I don’t know what type of pillow talk you engage in, kid, but neither of us thinks of that as a good time.” Aiden gave JJ a stern look. “Now, what did you do that you’d rather Hope not tell me? If it’s got anything to do with this case, I think you’d better let me know before I go to court and make a fool of myself. Otherwise, you can feel free to tell me to mind my own business.”
“The cops that arrested Rory, they hated me. I swear, Mr. Jennings, I didn’t do anything, but they had it in for me and if they could have, they would have taken me to the police station just for the hell of it.”
“Let me stop you right there. That’s not a story. That’s a bunch of excuses. What happened?”
“Okay. When they first arrested Rory, I tried to tell them he hadn’t done anything, but they wouldn’t listen. They told me to shut up and I did. But then they found the weed, so I asked them if they were gonna charge him with it. I swear, Mr. Jennings, that’s all that happened, but according to them, I was way out of line and just lucky they didn’t slap cuffs on me too.”
Aiden sighed. JJ said, “Look, my mom and Hope both already gave me a lecture about how bad I screwed up, so can you do me a favor and keep yours short?”
“How’s this?” Aiden said. “Don’t act stupid while the cops are arresting someone.”
JJ reddened but said nothing. Aiden said, “None of that should affect the outcome of the case, thankfully, even if the cops did think you were trying to help your friend get away with something. So when’s the bail hearing? Tomorrow?”
“So you will take the case?”
“Well, we’ll see. I’ll at least do his bail hearing. It shouldn’t be too complicated.”
“One more thing,” JJ said as he got up. “I probably should have said this at the beginning, but um, Rory… he doesn’t have a lot of money.”
Aiden paused for a second, then he said, “Tell you what. Every once in a while I do a good deed. The rest of the time I find other ways to make people pay if they don’t have the money. After the bail hearing, I’ll work it out with your friend. Sound like a deal?” He held out his hand, and he and JJ shook on it.
“I’m sorry,” Eric said as he came in. “Was I interrupting something important?”
“Not at all.” Daniel put on his best face. “I’m glad you stopped by. I’m not sure you’ve met Parker’s mom. Chloe, this is - “
“Father Eric,” Chloe said. “Of course. I mean, I never had the chance to see you at the parish, but I kept in touch with Father Matt until the end, and he really thought a lot of you.” She sighed. “I miss him.”
“Me too. St. Lukes is still accepting donations in honor of his memory, but I know that’s not the same. For me either. There are so many times I wish I had the benefit of his advice just one more time. Anyway, I’m not a priest anymore...it’s just Eric now. I’m sure Daniel’s told you.”
“Oh. Yeah, he has.”
There was an awkward silence, then Eric said, “Anyway, I didn’t come to discuss all that. I heard about Parker’s illness and I thought I’d stop by, see if there was anything I could do to help.”
“I wish there was, man," Daniel said. "Right now looks like all we can do is wait for them to finish running tests and decide on his treatment.”
Eric looked at him. “I hope you’re not losing faith. When I was at my lowest point, you reminded me to keep mine, and even though things didn’t work out the way I had hoped, that keeps me going every day now.” Daniel sighed deeply and Eric asked, “Do you need to go someplace to talk?”
“Nah, I’m okay… at least for now. But thanks.”
“There is one thing you can do,” Chloe said. She took her rosary out again and played with it. “I prayed over Parker earlier, but I’d really appreciate it if you would lead us in prayer.”
“Of course.” Eric took Chloe’s hand. Daniel stood watching them. Eric held out his other hand. “Daniel?”
Daniel hesitated. “I, uh, I think I’d better leave this one to you and Chloe. Thanks though.”
“You don’t have to say anything,” Chloe told him. “Just… just be with us. Please.”
“I hope I’m not speaking out of turn, but Chloe’s right. Just look at Parker and think about how much you love him and want him to get better. That’s all praying is… you don’t need to have the words.”
Daniel nodded. He moved into the prayer circle. “Take my hand,” Eric told him, “and Parker’s, and just let all of our desire for healing carry you.” Eric closed his eyes and began saying the Our Father.
