CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

A few days later, Frieda returned from the medical unit and found her wife in their cell, reading on her bed and listening to the radio. She lowered her book and smiled at Frieda, " How did you go?"

" The stitches are out. I'm all healed now." Frieda told her, " And the pain is gone."

" That's great," Zoe climbed down from her bunk and lifted up Frieda's shirt. A silver scar ran along Frieda's abdomen, " Nifty scar," she said as she traced it with her finger.

Frieda couldn't help it, she stiffened at Zoe's touch but Zoe didn't notice. She couldn't have killed Cortez, Frieda thought. Zoe did know Cortez during her first stay in max but why would Zoe kill Laura? It just seemed too much of a coincidence that when Zoe learned Frieda had met Laura in medical and then a few days later Laura was killed.

It didn't matter that Zoe had been with Frieda around the same time Laura was killed. Zoe could have easily gotten someone to kill Laura for her.

Frieda sat down on her bunk and watched her wife when a thought popped into her head.

No, she wouldn't do that, Frieda told herself as her stomach gave a sickening lurch. She wouldn't blackmail Julie Newman into killing Laura…would she?

Yes she would! Frieda told herself, After all, she's learned a few things from you over the years. But what would be the motive? Why kill Laura?

That night Zoe went to join Frieda in her bed but Frieda stopped her, " If you don't mind," she said to Zoe, " I'm really tired tonight and I have a splitting headache. I'm going to have an early night."

Frieda felt a twinge of guilt at the hurt look on Zoe's face. " Okay," Zoe said softly, " Did you want some painkillers?" she tried to take Frieda's hand but Frieda pulled it away.

" No, I'll just sleep it off." Frieda replied, " Thanks," she climbed onto her bed, " Night."

Zoe couldn't work out why Frieda was acting so weird with her. It had hurt the way Frieda rejected her tonight. She stared down at Frieda for a minute before climbing up onto her own bed.

I think she's figured it out, Zoe thought to herself as the light was turned off in their cell and she lay in the darkness. Frieda hardly ever rejects me unless there's something really wrong.

She knows.

Frieda woke up the following morning exhausted. She had tossed and turned all night and she also knew Zoe hadn't slept well either. She got up and got her shower caddy and headed for the showers without waking up Zoe like she usually did.

Twenty minutes later she returned to find Zoe already dressed and brushing her long hair in front of their small mirror. Zoe didn't say a word as she clipped her ID badge on her pocket. She was about to leave the cell for breakfast but Frieda grabbed her arm.

" We need to talk," Frieda said and Zoe stared coldly at her. Zoe never took rejection well. Zoe's eyes were bloodshot and red rimmed-she'd been crying.

" I've got nothing to say," Zoe replied stiffly shaking her arm free.

" I've got something to ask you," Frieda said, " Did you kill Laura Cortez?"

Zoe's face went pale as she stared at Frieda, " You think I killed her?" she whispered, shocked. " Is this why you rejected me last night?"

" Did you kill her?" Frieda asked again ignoring her question.

" No I didn't kill her!" Zoe flared up, " I can't believe you even suspect me. I'm your wife, don't you trust me?"

Frieda opened her mouth to reply but Zoe barged on, " I guess you don't. I didn't kill Laura and I was with you at the time of her murder," she reminded Frieda.

" That doesn't matter. You could have easily found someone to do the dirty work," Frieda pointed out.

" I didn't kill Laura! Why would I?"

" Because I asked her if you knew her and a few days later she ends up dead?"

" I can't believe this," Zoe's face turned red with rage, " My own wife suspects me-"

" You probably blackmailed Julie into killing for you so that she'd leave me alone. Am I right?" Frieda's blue eyes stared into Zoe's brown ones.

" I…I-" Zoe stammered, " I didn't kill Laura! I have no beef with her."

" I love you Zoe-I will always love you, but I don't think I can trust you now," Frieda said.

Outside in the common area, Suzanne looked up from her card game with Doggett when she heard arguing coming from Frieda and Zoe's cell. Their voices grew louder and Suzanne hurried over just in time to see Zoe raise her hand and slap Frieda squarely across the face.

" Zoe!" Suzanne exclaimed as Frieda reeled back from shock. This wasn't the first time Zoe had slapped her.

" Stay away from me," she hissed at Frieda before pushing past Suzanne and storming off.

" Frieda, what was that about? Are you okay?"

" I'm fine," Frieda muttered, her cheek was red from where Zoe slapped her. She stormed off.

Doggett walked up to Suzanne, " What happened? They never argue."

" They'll work it out." Suzanne said, " They always do."

Doggett bit her lip, " I don't know Suzy-cakes, that fight sounded pretty bad to me."