Page 124 of Debts and Desires
“The altercation was yesterday afternoon,” he said, his tone sharp. “Carter was seen leaving the church at the estimated time of disagreement.”
“Estimated time?” Emmy used her hip to move me, then stepped in front of me. “What do you mean?”
“Reverend Black wasn’t found until later in the day by a member of the congregation. He woke up some time after bein’ transported to the hospital, not remembering anythin’ but you.” He nodded to me. Fuck. This wasn’t going well. “The doctor placed the incident happenin’ yesterday anywhere around noon to two o’clock in the afternoon. I went around the neighborhood last night to see if anyone noticed anything. One witness stepped forward and, again, placed Carter at the altercation site.”
I shrugged, trying to play dumb, knowing he wouldn’t buy it.
“I don’t know ‘bout any altercations.” Emmy’s head snapped back to look at me, a warning glare as if to say, “Shut up, you fucking dumbass.” I closed my mouth, not saying a damn thing after.
“So, hearsay, then?” Em scoffed as she turned back around. Jameson swallowed. I guess he hadn’t realized just how smart my girl was. “Look, unless you have a warrant to search or are here to make an arrest, we can come down to the station later and talk to you then.” Randy narrowed his eyes at her, then his eyes met mine. “What happened to your hand there, Carter?” I looked down at my busted up knuckles.
“Mac and I were playin’ too rough,” I said, eyes meeting his again.
“Look,” Emmy said. “If there’s nothing else, we’ll come by later for a statement or something.”
“It’s forquestioning.Not you. Just him.”
“And why is that?” That bratty tone had me smirking.
“Because, Missy. You weren’t the one witnessed. Carter here was. You have nothin’ to do with this.” Emmy’s smirk grew.
“That’s fine,” Em responded. “However, when Carter goes in for questioning, he’s allowed to have a lawyer present, correct?”
“Correct,” Jameson sighed.
“Wonderful. He’ll have one via video call. Have a great day.”
Emogen slammed the door in Randy’s face, and I damn near busted out laughing. I watched as she turned, heading for the stairs. I followed.
“Where you goin’ Miss Bossy-Pants?”
“Well, considering it’s six-thirty andsomeonehad me up until four, I’m going back to bed for a little. Then when I get up, I have a phone call to make.”
“The lawyer?”
“Yup.”
“Who’s the lawyer?”
“I don’t know yet,” she sighed. “I have to decide which river I want to swim across since I burned the bridges.”
49. LAWYERS AND BRIDGES
November 9
Day Seventy-Four
The moment Officer Dick-For-Brains said it had nothing to do with me, I realized the “witness” didn’t exist. And if they did, it wasn’t a true statement, just a witch hunt. I was with Carter. They would’ve had to have seen me. It wouldn’t hold up.
I wasn’t a lawyer, but I’d been around enough of them to know some things.
And now I was torn between which lawyer I wanted to talk to.
There was Uncle Sebby. He wasn’t my uncle, but Mia’s. Well, not even hers, that’s just what they all called him. He used to run a law firm. I didn’t know if Uncle Sebby still worked part-time as a lawyer or even if he’d help me. But I had no way of contacting him unless I talked to Mia.
That left one other option.
Dad.
