“What do we have in here?” Deke asks, opening the bathroom bag we found in their hotel.
We cleared out everything; that way, when housekeeping comes by in the morning, they will think they bailed. Deke pulls out a syringe, a red rubber band, a spoon, aluminum foil, the inside of what looks like a makeup compact that’s been washed out, a Q-tip, and lastly, rubbing alcohol. Then he pulls out a small round container and opens it to find a ball of heroin.
“Fuck! You guys are hardcore.” Deke whistles. “I like it.” He looks at all of it and nods a few times. “You know, I’ve never done heroin, but I’ve seen kids use it at parties before.” He takes the Q-tip and tosses it to the side. “You won’t be needing this.”
He places the ball of heroin on the spoon and then takes a lighter to heat it up. Once it’s liquefied, he draws the heroin into the syringe.
“Where do you want it?” he asks, turning to her in the chair.
She struggles, eyes wide and tears running down her face. I run my hands over her arms tied behind her back and to the chair. Her body shakes at she stares at her husband’s dead body. She has track marks all over her skin.
“I don’t think she’s picky. Most junkies aren’t.”
“Well, lucky for her, I’ve watched the kids at school do it enough.” He drops to his knees before her and rips off a shoe and sock. “Hold this,” he orders, holding up the syringe.
I take it from him while he wraps the band around her ankle to tie it off. He holds out his hand once he’s satisfied, and I hand it back to him. He pulls her toes apart and inserts the needle between them, slowly injecting it into her. He then puts everything back in the bag and zips it up.
We stand and watch her body go limp. Within seconds, her head is bowed, her dark hair covering her face. Deke grips it and yanks her head back so we can see her. Her eyes are half open, and sweat covers her forehead. Her body jerks involuntarily.
“Think she’s vomiting?” he asks.
“Possibly,” I offer. Fuck if I know. I’ve never done drugs before.
“She’s pissed herself.” He observes her wet pants. “Hey?” He taps the side of her face, but she doesn’t show any response, and he frowns. “Well, this didn’t take as long as I thought it would.”
I sit in the chair that the bastard occupied and watch her mother die. It’s pretty quick if you ask me. And too easy. She died by something that she loved.
“Come on. We’ve got to get rid of them.”
CHAPTER SIX
COLE
SITTING IN THE WAITING room, we’re all restless at this point. Becky cries, and Deke tries to console her. Bennett sits with his head down and his arms crossed over his chest. I’m pretty sure he’s passed out. I just got off the phone with Blanche and told her that I didn’t know when I would be home and to take Lilly to her house later on today. I don’t want my sister alone with my father during this time.
I look up from my phone when I see Shane entering the double sliding glass doors. Shooting to my feet causes Deke to look up. He does the same.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I snap.
Bennett does a little snort, waking himself up. His head pops up, and he wipes some drool off his chin with the back of his hand before he too stands. “What’s going on?” he asks roughly before clearing his throat and trying to focus his eyes on his surroundings.
I look at him. “I don’t know. You tell me.” What all did he say to Shane?
He holds his hands up when he sees Shane standing there. “I haven’t said anything—”
“I saw the news,” Shane interrupts him and then looks at me. “Hours ago. I’ve been calling you guys. Why aren’t you answering?”
I don’t respond. He should know how to take a fucking hint. Also, I didn’t have my phone while I was being interrogated. I left it with Deke on purpose, knowing they would take it from me while I was in custody. He didn’t give it back until a few minutes ago for me to call Blanche.
His jaw clenches at my silence, knowing he’s not gonna get shit from me. He takes a quick look around the waiting area, and then asks, “Where’s Kellan?”
Silence follows again. Shane steps up to me, his eyes narrowing. “Where. Is. Kellan?”
I take a step toward him, closing the small distance. “Why don’t you ask—”
“Cole!” Deke interrupts me and yanks me back by my upper arm. “I’ll talk to him.”
“It’s none of his business,” I snap.
Shane lets out a rough laugh. “Did you make him disappear, Cole? Is that why his phones are off, and he’s nowhere to be found?”