Chapter 3

Kate

"Tell us again how you knew Adam." The tall, thin African-American cop hovered over the small table in front of her, his eyes tired, his voice wavering.

"I've already gone over this three times. I'm not doing it again. Actually, I'm not speaking another word about this until I see my lawyer."

"You need your lawyer?" The Italian-looking cop moved in, sucking something out of his teeth.

Kate sat back, her hands in her lap, her expression hopefully stating the obvious. She was covered in Adam's blood. The sticky crimson liquid having collected under her nails and on the creases in her fingers. She adverted her attention from herself and back to the men before her.

"I need a shower. This is disgusting. Would you guys like to sit in a room and be questioned to death for helping someone while covered in their blood?"

"In your victim's blood?" The Italian one snorted.

"I don't think she's going to give us anything else." The African-American cop leaned against the wall. "I'm going to check on processing. I think we're almost done here, Miss Jarret. We will be following up with you once the results of the DNA samples are in."

"And we'll be watching you like a hawk." The other cop leaned in, his breath smelling of stale coffee.

"Like a stalker? Should I file a report now or wait until you show the level of inappropriateness that I'm starting to think you're capable of?"

"You better watch your mouth, pretty girl. You think because you tried to clean yourself up and get a real job that we don't know who you are? The file on you is thicker than most of the thugs that we bust and send to the slammer most nights. You're no different. Trash... just trash and we're going to find out what you did." The Italian cop shrugged and moved to the door, holding it open for his partner. "Want to rethink your statement?"

"Nope. Your opinion is simply that. Go find the fact and then come back to me." Kate shrugged and looked down to her fingers, picking at the blood under her nails as if it were so much more important than their accusations.

They left the room with resounding chuckles. She waited until they were gone to let her shoulders slump, the weight of the night riding her hard. Losing Adam in front of her was enough to emotionally cripple her, but to be suspected of his murder? He was a kid. He was a dumb kid, but still just a teenager nevertheless. They had smoked together a few times and she knew he had a horrible crush on her, but nothing else. She cared for him like she would if he were her own brother, Kate having grown up an only child.

He was just thirteen when they met, a kid on the run from a hard life with no dad and an overbearing Jesus-loving mother. He had mentioned a brother, but she hadn't gotten the chance to meet him, not that she wanted to. He was supposedly Billy-bob do good. Always bringing out the worst in Adam and leaving the poor boy to feel like the piece of shit everyone thought he was.

"Wonder if he even knew how much Adam loved to draw?"

Kate looked up as the door opened, a portly brunette nodding at her. "You can go. They will be in touch as soon as all of the DNA results are back and they've finished the investigation. You might have a few people stop by your club over the next few weeks with follow-up questions."

"Not during the hours of eight pm to four am. It's too busy." Kate stood and moved toward the door.

"That's not for you to choose, toots. They come by when they want to. You’re implicated in the murder of a young boy. I'm pretty sure your desires and wishes aren't at the top of our list." The lady laughed and moved down the hall slowly. Kate kept her pace, slowing only when she reached the counter. She could assume Adam died on the way to the hospital, but needed to hear it.

"Did the boy live or is he gone?"

"You don't know?"

"I can assume the worst, but I'd rather not."

"He died in the alley with you. The ambulance couldn't resuscitate him. Too much blood loss. Did you not know that you needed to apply pressure to the wounds?" The woman rolled her eyes, her lip lifting as she snarled.

Kate lifted her hands, palms out to the woman. "How many hands do I have?"

"I'm not in the mood for games."

"Me either. Give me my shit and answer my question."

"Two, obviously." The woman sat down in her chair, the small thing groaning with her weight.

"Right, and he had five bullet holes in his chest. I'll let you do the math. You seem bright." Kate took her wallet, her keys to the club and her license. "Where is my gun?"

"It's state’s evidence until you're told otherwise."

"That's bullshit. I just bought that. I need it."

"Well, sorry Missy. You're out of the killing business until it gets back from forensics." The woman shrugged and turned her back to Kate.

She would never outlive her reputation, her file forever labeling her a villain. She took her stuff and walked out of the police station, the streets quiet around the highly illuminated building. She needed a ride home, but no damn way she was asking one of them. Glancing to her right, she thought about walking the twelve miles, but her face was too well known in the narcotics circles, her past choices having pissed off a few too many people.

She had made peace a long time ago with living in constant danger, but to stick her hand in the viper’s mouth and taunt him... never. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and texted Marcus that she was free and would be at the small diner across from the station.

Looking left and right, she jogged out into the street and moved toward the small restaurant. The open all night sign on the front door ushered in a sense of relief. Nothing was worse than being out on the streets for anyone and everyone to see. She paused before slipping into the shop, a dark figure on a motorcycle seemed to be looking in her direction. Did she know him?

She waited a few more seconds to see if he would make a move in her direction, but he simply watched from the darkness. Unable to make him out, she was done watching for awareness or recognition. Whoever he was, he was either interested in her, or knew her. Neither was good in her book.