Judge
When I returned from lunch, Officer Dunk was waiting for me in my office. “Lana, I’m surprised to see you here. Is everything okay?”
“It’s nothing like that,” she waved dismissively. “Just have some information to share. Would you mind closing the door?”
“Sure,” I said and felt my insides start to twist as I waited to hear what she had to say.
“What I’m about to tell you cannot be repeated to anyone, not even Copper. I shouldn’t even be telling you, but I feel like you have a right to know.”
“You know I can’t promise to keep it from the club. If it in any way effects—”
“It doesn’t,” she assured.
At my nod of agreement, she began, “As you already know, we found the drugs in Mitzie Mayfield’s house and arrested her as well as her son. Tests have confirmed the heroin in her house matches the heroin found in her stepson. Mitzie claims her sister-in-law, Gwendolyn Ellison, asked her to buy the drugs for her. According to Mitzie, Gwendolyn’s plan was to plant it on the people who played a part in her daughter’s death and have them arrested. But, Mitzie’s son, Tristan, tells a different story. He says Gwendolyn asked him to take the heroin and replace it with some that was laced with something that would kill anyone who used it. He did it and she paid him handsomely for his troubles. He also said she asked him to make sure his brother and father knew about the tainted drugs.”
“Are you saying Gwendolyn actually was behind this whole thing?” I asked.
She shrugged. “I’m saying it came down to her word against theirs. She’s Chairman of the County Council with a stellar reputation. She’s supported Mitzie and her family for years and just recently refused to continue supporting them because of their ongoing drug use. It looks like they made these accusations against her because they were pissed that she cut them off.”
“Why was she supporting them?” I asked.
“She’s married to Mitzie’s brother, Paul. After Roy and Mitzie married, Roy worked for Paul’s company and was hurt on the job. When his workers’ comp payout ran out, they threatened to sue claiming he was permanently disabled. Gwendolyn comes from a very wealthy family and they chose to handle the matter out of court.”
I sat back in my chair and crossed my arms over my chest. “I see. So, you think they’re trying to get more money out of her?”
She shook her head, “Off the record, I think they’re telling the truth, particularly Tristan.”
I sat forward and leaned on my elbows completely shocked. “You think Gwendolyn purchased tainted heroin and intended to what? Kill people with it?”
She nodded. “That’s exactly what I think. Tristan said she pointedly told him to make sure his brother and father knew about the drugs. I don’t believe she did that because she was trying to protect them. I think she knew one of them would steal it.”
“Why would she do that?”
“According to Tristan, Gwendolyn’s daughter was introduced to heroin by Brett Owens, Oliver Burgess, Tristan Mayfield, and Roy Mayfield one night when she was spending the night at her best friend’s house. Her best friend was Brett’s sister, Didi Warren. Now, do you honestly believe it’s a coincidence that every single person involved is now dead or in jail?”
“Fuck,” I breathed. “What are you going to do?”
She shook her head. “Nothing. There’s no proof.”
“Gwendolyn showed up at my house a few hours ago to talk to River. She said she wanted to apologize for any part she played in River’s arrest. She also went to great lengths to restore River’s good name with her previous employer as well as provide her with a job offer at the hospital,” I shared.
“That was probably her last stop on her way out of town.”
“What?”
“She resigned from her position as chairman and her husband turned his company over to his second-in-command. You didn’t know?”
“I had no idea. Wait, what kind of company does her husband have?”
“He owns GP Construction and Contracting,” she said and nodded. “Yeah, the city inspector used to work for him. See what I mean? It’s all circumstantial and speculative, but it’s all there. Everyone’s greatest fear should be a mother’s wrath.”
“I don’t disagree with you. Thank you for sharing that with me. And, I won’t say a word, not even to River,” I promised. Telling River about the conversation I’d had with Lana wouldn’t change anything. And not knowing what was actually true would drive River crazy.
Epilogue
River
I was on the back of Jonah’s bike and we were headed to Croftridge with most of the Devil Springs chapter. I’d only ever ridden with Jonah, so it was my first time riding in a formation. I was amazed at how fluidly they moved as a unit, seeming to anticipate one another’s movements.