ChapterTwenty-Two
Gary
“Where did I mess up? How did you find me?”
“I have to admit you almost pulled off the perfect crime, but the saying “the devil is in the details” is stating facts. Well, that and two determined and skilled investigators brought me right to your door.”
“And you were bold enough to come alone?”
“Definitely bold enough, but not stupid enough.” I say and Anson walks in from the kitchen.
“I should have known, you Gideon’s move in packs. In all fairness it wasn’t my intention to frame you, but once it happened, well it seemed perfect.”
“Then why did you kill her?
“When I met Antonia, she was a whore, did you know that? She was eventually becoming a high-priced whore, but a whore non the less. I worked my way into a decent living and Antonia wanted a piece but there was no way I would marry a woman who sold pussy out of hotel rooms. But I had no problems fucking her, and I did a lot. Next thing I know she tells me she is pregnant. There’s no way it’s mine right, I brought my own condoms, opened them right before I used one and took the used condom with me. I tried everything to convince her to abort the baby, but she knew she had me by the short hairs. She threatened to go to the press and tell them how I knocked up a hooker. My job and everything I worked for would be gone. I had a DNA test run and sure enough the baby was mine, so I married her. For a while it was a decent life, she was a good mother and wife. She doted on me and our daughter but just like a junkie she couldn’t maintain it. At least she had the decency to hide her activities. She would wait until I had to go out of town for work. She’d have a babysitter come in so she could whore all night.”
While he is talking, I am lining his timeline up with mine with Antonia. The time she tried to be a good wife and mother must have been the time she went missing. And then she popped back up after a few years. I always wondered how she knew all the people she knew and everything her husband is telling me is explaining so much.
“It wasn’t until I got sick on a business trip and came home early that I found out what she was doing. She came up with some excuse for why she was out until daybreak. Eventually she got to the point where she didn’t bother hiding it anymore. I was hurt and confused about why she wasn’t happy. Over the years I fell in love with her, but it seems I was just a meal ticket. On one of her numerous excursions Paige got sick and I had to rush her to the hospital, and I found out that night that she couldn’t be my daughter. Do you know what that does to a man Asher? To know I gave up my life for her and she isn’t even mine? I could have married someone I actually wanted and loved. All that I gave up and sacrificed and for what? She didn’t even want the life I provided for her. She was too busy being your whore. The first time I followed her I couldn’t get in your club. So, I would wait and watch until I found the perfect person to become friends with. And just like I planned he invited me to one of your taste test nights. When I walked in, I saw my wife on a stage getting fucked by several men, sucking their dicks, letting them fuck her in the ass, swallowing their cum—being showered in their cum. She looked right at me and laughed in my face, and I knew that night I was going to kill her. But I was shocked to see on my many trips to your club that she was one of your favorites. It took time but I crafted the perfect plan. Had you not gotten the lawyer you did you’d be in jail, and I would be able to finally live my life in peace.”
“Gary, why didn’t you just leave her?”
“And she what, walks away with my daughter and half of my stuff? No, that wasn’t acceptable.”
“Well, her life is over and so is yours, and now what happens to your daughter?”
“You can walk away Asher; the police have nothing.”
“Yeah, that shit’s not happening.”
“It’s my word against yours and you were already arrested for her murder, your brother is just trying to back you up.”
“I recorded the conversation, Gary. Come on Anson let’s get him to the police station.”
Anson walks over to him and started walking him out of the house and Gary grabs him and puts a gun to his temple. I pull my gun and train it on him.
“I don’t have a right to ask, but take care of Paige. She is the only one in this shit show that is truly innocent.” He begins backing up to the door with Anson.
“You are not walking out of here with my brother, Gary, that I can promise you.” I tell him taking a step closer.
“I don’t think you want to do that Asher; I would hate for my finger to pull the trigger reflexively if you shoot me. I mean what would happen to your brother?”
He looks back at the door, then turns to look at me and for a split second his hand moves, just a touch but enough for me to take the shot. But two shots ring out, one from my gun and one through the back kitchen window. Anson and I both look to the window as my phone rings.
“All clear” Emerson says in the phone.
“Where are you?”
When she tells me the location, I relay it to Anson.
“Fuck that’s three miles away! Remind me not to fuck with her.”
I shake my head in agreement. Everything after that was a blur of cops, M.E.’s statements with Carla present of course and finally making my way back home. Antonia can rest now. But as soon as I take care of one problem another presents itself, but I have Jabarri on the job.
Two Months Later
Carla