Deceiving Justice Read online

you?!”

  “Seems like you didn’t miss me Alex.”

  “Matt?”

  “Surprise! I thought you were smarter than that Alex.”

  “What are you talking about Matt? Why the hell are you sitting in my living room alone in the dark? How the hell did you get a key to my place?!”

  “Well, seeing how we were dating I did have unlimited access to your keys and got to know everything about you.”

  “What? Matt. Are you saying what I think you are implying?”

  “I’m saying I love you Alex.”

  “What? No Matt, I told you. It’s over.”

  “Alex, come on, I know we can make this work. You know we are meant to be together. Alex please.”

  “Matt, stop it! We are done. What we have, had. We don’t have that anymore. It is over. Now get out!”

  “You’re seeing someone aren’t you? You meet someone!”

  “Matt, even if I did it’s none of your business. Now get the hell out of my apartment!”

  “I don’t know why I bother. Bye Alex.”

  I slam the door behind Matt just in time to hide the tears rolling down my face. I flop onto the couch and just cascade into a hysterical cry. Once I get a handle on my emotions I fumble for Jacks number from the side table drawer.

  “Jack Billford.”

  “Hey Jack, its Alex.”

  “Hey Alex, what’s up?

  “I was wondering if you were busy or not.”

  “Uh, nope I’m free at the moment. Let me guess, you would like me to come on over?”

  “Yeah, that be great. See you soon?”

  “For sure. See you few. Bye Alex.”

  “Bye Jack.”

  I drag the blanket over me and succumb to the comfort of my couch. I reach for the remote, turn on the television and flip to the Food Network. After mindlessly watching TV, the intercom buzzes. I flip the blankets off and quickly answer.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey Alex, its Jack.”

  “Hey Jack, come on in.”

  A few moments later Jack turns the corner and quickly makes his way into my apartment.

  “Hey, that was fast. What were you doing stalking me?” I joked

  “Yeah I was just downstairs on the street watching you.”

  Is he kidding? Please say yes.

  “Yes I’m kidding. Traffic wasn’t so bad on the way over here. How you holding up?”

  “I’ve been better. When I got home from earlier Matt was waiting for me to come home.”

  “What? Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

  “Yeah I’m fine. He wanted to try and get back together but I told him that it was over for good.”

  “Well I’m glad it worked out, sort of.”

  “Thanks, do you uh want something to drink?”

  “Wine?”

  “Sure, sounds good. How was the rest of your day after lunch?” I asked while pouring our drinks.

  “It was ok, just full of meetings. I’d ask you but it would be a little obvious.” Jack sarcastically mentioned.

  “Yeah just a little bit. Here’s you glass.”

  “Thanks, Alex. Could I use you bathroom?”

  “Yeah for sure it’s the third door on the left.”

  “Thanks. Be back in a second.”

  Being the snoop I am I quickly went and snatched up Jacks phone. I quickly went to messages to see if he was texting anyone, ‘special’. I scrolled down seeing if there was any messages from the day from when we meet. Fortunately there was nothing, but because I’m the snoopy person I am, I continue to scroll down. I was just about to give up when I saw that there where text messages from Matt to Jack. How the hell do they even know each other?

  Before I got a chance to read the messages I hear Jack returning from the bathroom. I threw his phone back where it was sitting and jumped into the arm chair.

  “I love your place Alex, it’s so cozy.”

  “Thanks, appreciate it. Hey quick question. How do you know Matt?”

  “How would you know that Alex?” Jacks eyes seemed to darken with every step he took towards me.

  “Yeah, you have text messages from him. How do you know him?” I got up from my chair and backed up towards the front door, just to prepare for the worst.

  “Alex. Dear sweet Alex. There are many things in the world that you don’t understand, like for instance, Matt and I have been friends since we’ve been six and have known you since you were 7. We remember how you were the one girl who thought she was above everyone else. How you treated your little sister Natalie like she was a pig rolling around in mud. How when every time Natalie had a big event coming up, magically you had a bigger event. You always stole everything from Natalie. Everything she strived for you kicked her down and continued to kick her further down until there was nowhere else to go. It was completely easy for us to convince her to join us. All we had to do was tell her if she didn’t do what we wanted we would destroy her life. She did refuse at first, but come on, what did you think happened to her ex-husband? So Alex, sweet beautiful Alex. It is time for you to pay.”

  I stumble back in shock. Complete and utter disbelief. I can’t believe that Jack and Matt were involved in this together, and from what I understand killing Natalie’s ex-husband, to make her help them. I can’t believe this. It can’t be true. It can’t.

  Jack starts to make his way to way towards and there is only one way I might make it out of here alive.

  “Jack, wait. I think there is something I should say before you make your move.”

  “What is that Alexandra?”

  “You really should check to see if someone has their phone on before you make full blown confessions.”

  “What!?” Jack heads towards me sees that I have my phone dialed for 911, “You little bitch. Give me that phone!”

  I run out the front door to see Matt standing at the end of the hallway waiting for the end game. I take a quick left and head for the stairs. I put full steam into the sprint and make it to the stairs only to hear the sound of footsteps getting closer. I quickly make it to the first floor expecting the security of the police waiting outside the building. To my relief I head towards to Officer Connors and take cover behind one of the other officers, who quickly moves me away from scene and drives me around the corner to take my statement. As I wait in the car, Officer Connor meets with us to take my statement.

  “Miss. Reed, it’s nice to see you again, sorry its only seems to be under these conditions.’

  “Well, what do you do?” I know he is just trying to be friendly but come on, I almost got attacked and chased by my ex-boyfriend and could have been boyfriend. I started from when I met Jack to when I found Matt in my apartment to how I clued in from Matt’s behavior to Jacks text messages with Matt. After he finished taking my statement, he offered to take me somewhere to stay but I didn’t really want to be around anyone and politely turned him down. I headed the street and breathed in my new found freedom.

  Saturday October 10th

  I sat in a beige room with florescent lights shining on the truth. The stale smell of the old building lingered in the air, with the occasional cough of a private reporter in the back. The trial lasted for two days. Two. The defense attempted to get the case thrown out by saying that the state did not have enough evidence to prove that Matt and Jack were guilty of planning the murder together. Luckily the Judge agreed with the state and had a verdict of guilty to first degree murder. When the Judge pounded the gavel down, I felt a deep breath of relief exit my body and calm just poured over my body. Even though that they are going to be put away for a very long time I still have to make sure that Natalie gets the help that she needs.

  Tuesday October 20th

  I waited at the gate for the release of Natalie. After two weeks the judge finally granted the release of Natalie with a five year probation and a two months long house arrest. The gate finally opened to reveal a grungy looking twenty five year walking out towards freedom. As soon as Natal
ie passed the gate I threw myself upon her and her to me. We both just stood there in the middle of a gravel road, clinging to each other. I pulled her out of the hug but continue to hold her by the arms and just looked her up and down, and walked her to the car.

  “Home?” Natalie asked graciously.

  I give her a smile and nod to her in agreement. “Home.”

  The trip home was a silent one. Natalie didn’t talk much, mostly only to answer the questions I asked her. After a couple hours of driving we pulled up outside my new place on Amsterdam and 85th.

  “New place?” Natalie asked

  “Uh yeah, just after everything that had happened I didn’t want to stay in the same place. Do you like it?”

  “Yeah it’s nice.”

  I graciously smiled at Natalie and helped carry the few things she had up to my place. We headed up to my apartment and I gave her the quick tour of the place.

  “This is your room Natalie.” I show her the room that is sitting adjacent from mine.

  “Thanks Alex. I’m just going to go take a nap.”

  “Okay, Natalie.”

  I understand that Natalie needs space and that she not ready to talk about, the situation. I just thought that she would be able to see that I was here for her. Trying to not worry about her I head to my office to work on a bunch of paperwork that I was behind on. I check the clock to see that it was a quarter to ten. I’m surprised that Natalie hasn’t come out of her room at all. I guess she is just exhausted and looking for a comfortable to place to sleep. I decide not to check in on her just in case I wake her by accident. I head to my room to turn in for the night, and set my alarm for six thirty am.

  Wednesday October 21th

  Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. “Shut