Page 6 of The Fall Guy

If he has evidence of me on the street doing a crime, I can pick away at whatever he thinks he has. I’m not a violent man;yes, I’ll defend myself, but other than selling drugs, I’m a model citizen.

A grainy picture is thrown onto the desk, and I can’t resist taking a peek. A face similar to mine is behind the wheel of a black car. I scratch along the length of my nose, covering my mouth as I let out a low chuckle. They have nothing on me. I’m not the guy they think I am.

“What am I supposed to have done?” I ask, staring at the one person I thought was too good to be mixed up in a crime—Kai.How the tide has quickly changed, I think gleefully. What was it he said to me last time I saw him? Something about not being there for me when I fall. Karma’s going to be a bitch when he finds the shoe on the other foot.

“You know what you’ve done,” the policewoman says. She leans in, gritting her teeth.

I scratch my earlobe not ready to tell them they have the wrong suspect just yet. “I have a bad memory. Please remind me.”

“Do you think this is funny?” Sergeant Miller asks. The corner of his eye twitches.

“You got me out of bed for this. I want to ensure a few things are clear in my head.” I smile, and Miller obviously wants to knock the humour right off my face with his glare.

“Last night, between ten and twelve, you committed a crime,” the policeman says.

Amusement dances across my face as I turn to look at her. “Oh yeah, what was that?”

Why does nobody ask a direct question? The police department is so frustrating.Spill the tea so I know what we’re talking about already.

“Stop messing around, Kaden. You know what you’ve done. There’s a boy in critical condition in the hospital. This is no laughing matter. Quit with the bullshit and explain whathappened.” The Segreant spits the words out giving me my first clue to the crime.

This sounds serious, but I still need the final pieces to understand what they’re accusing me of. An injured boy is no joke, especially for my brother, he loves kids. “How did that happen?”

“You were seen driving through Eastward like a drunk asshole, and you hit him with your car.” The policewoman’s voice cracks with emotion. If the image of the crash wasn’t so repulsive, I’d find her loss of patience amusing.

“Now, now… I don’t think you should be speculating. What if I was on drugs?” I ask.

I’m not trying to be funny or maybe I am, mainly I’m trying to buy myself some time to think. Kai and I might not be on the best terms, but if he did the crime in question, he’s in so much trouble. Everything is going to change for him in the blink of an eye.

The sergeant isn’t impressed with my smart mouth. He lets out his frustration on the table again, pounding his fists loudly.

“This isn’t funny. He could die, and then you’ll be facing murder charges.”

Oh, Kai, you have been a naughty boy. For once, his shoes aren’t looking so pretty to walk in. A boy is fighting for his life, which is tragic, but when it comes to my brother, I won’t show weakness. I wonder if his wife knows what he’s been up to? The situation is dire. No one should be caught in such a sad crime, but I’m going to enjoy telling Sonia, that’s for sure. My brother’s life is about to go up in flames. I pump my fist a few times. The way I feel is both toxic and frantic. The crime in question is rotten to the core, and there aren’t going to be any good guys by the end of it.Not in my family anyway.

“I need my phone call now,” I say.

“Just tell us the truth,” Sergeant Miller says in a plea.

I hold up my hand, pointing my thumb up and my pinkie down like a telephone. “Phone call.” Each word comes out slow and crisp.

“We already have you behind the wheel. There’s no way you’re getting away with this,” the policewoman says.

“What happened to good cop, bad cop? I thought that’s how you pigs worked. Phone. Call. Now.” I make the phone sign again with my hand giving it a little shake.

They argue with me for a few more minutes before they finally give in and take me to a phone.

I’m not left unsupervised, but it doesn’t matter. I’m going to enjoy breaking the news to Sonia in person. I dial the number, hoping she’ll answer. I’ve lost track of time and no idea where she’ll be. Life has been going on as normal for everyone except me. She might be at work or on the food shop. Either way, I’m going to bring her world to a standstill.

“Hello?” she asks wearily.

“What’s your favourite scary movie,” I ask.

“Kaden, stop being a dick. I’m at work. Why are you calling me?” she huffs.

“Eastward Police Station, in twenty minutes or my face and your car are going to end up on the evening news.” I’ve never driven her vehicle, so hopefully, she’ll understand what I’m trying to say.

She’s silent for a few minutes. “Do I need to ring your brother?”

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