“Not that long, a couple of months, maybe three.”
“The statute of limitations isn’t up yet. Do you have any proof?” He asked Cody, who shook his head.
“But I have witnesses.”
“I’ll need to depose them.”
“What other infractions has she committed against you or someone you know?”
“Other than the car thing tonight, that’s it.” I could tell Cody was trying to hold it together. Blaire is a lot to take in when you first meet her; add the mood that she’s in, and I can well imagine how he’s feeling. He hasn’t said two words since we left the station.
Mom had dragged us all to the hotel they’d booked for the next couple of days, and all the way here, all she’d talk about was the charges. I should be glad that she hadn’t started in yet with the twenty questions about Cody, but somehow this was worst. And neither of them had even asked about the car yet.
Like I said, I didn’t intend for things to go this far with Susie. I expected her to lash out, yes, and I wanted to make her pay for what she’d done to Cody, but since he hadn’t taken it to the law, my mind never really went that route. I wasn’t even sure what they could do with what little we had. But I hadn’t figured in Harold or that he’d be anywhere near the case.
It’s not that I feel sorry for Susie or anything, but I’m worried about the effect this might have on Cody now that I’d dragged him into the middle of it. We haven’t had time to talk since mom and dad showed up, and I know he’s still mad at me. But I guess the fact that he held my hand all the way here means something.
Now he’s sitting there in a daze with his arms folded, not saying a word, just listening to what was going on around him. It will be a wonder if he wants to be in the same area code as me after this. Mom was doing a good rendition of a nightmare right now, and she hadn’t even gotten started yet.
Something about Susie had set her off, but then again, Susie has that effect on everyone. Or maybe Melissa had shared more than I was comfortable with mom knowing. I didn’t want her to somehow blame Cody for what was going on, something that she’s more than capable of doing.
No matter, this time, I’d fight her to the death if needs be. I was already counting my savings and how far it would get us until my inheritance kicked in if things went that far. I wasn’t sure what she was thinking until I mentioned him being drugged.
I didn’t understand the look that came into her eyes, almost like pity or the reason why dad tried to stop me from talking when I brought it up. There was a story there, but Harold was on his soapbox about the legalese involved if we go forward as planned.
Now that I think about it, this is much better than anything I could’ve come up with on my own. If Susie lost her degree, then she’d have to start all over somewhere else. Better yet, if she spent some time in jail, I’d see that as penance for what she did to Cody as long as he was fine with it and it didn’t harm his football career in the future.
He seemed to be taking in every word, even asking some questions of his own now. “I’m not doing this for me; I’m doing it because of what she did to Lisa. It’s my fault that things went this far. Had I done something earlier, this would never have happened. I’m sorry.” He actually half bowed his head in mom’s direction. She has that effect on people as well.
“What exactly is your relationship with this girl?” Is it my imagination, or was there a bit of a pause in mom’s question that was meant to mislead me into thinking she was about to ask about us? I breathed through my nose again when she finished the sentence.
“There is none. She’s been after me for a date since I got here, but I’ve never had any interest in dating her or anyone else for that matter.”
“And why is that? Her father could’ve opened many doors for you.”
“I’m not interested in anyone opening doors for me. I was raised to rely on my own merit. Hard work and discipline are the only doormen I need.”
“I see! And what about my daughter? Why are you with her? Obviously, she’s heads above Susie; could it be that you were waiting for something better to come along?”
“Mom!”
“I’m speaking to Cody Lisa.” I looked at dad, but he winked at me. What the heck?