Chapter 1:
Alythia sits upon her couch, eyes glazed as the news plays in front of her. Besides the news woman's boring voice, her house is shrouded in silence. Her kids are taking advantage of the weekend by hanging out at a friend's house and her husband is off working. Alythia sighs, knowing very well that her kids left because of her. They didn't exactly try to hide it, and Alythia knows nothing has been the same since her sister was convicted to life in prison. She tries to hide it, but today isn't a day she can. It's December 28. Evelynn's 28th birthday.
A tear slips past Alythia's eye, though she doesn't have the strength to wipe it away. Instead, someone else does it for her. The rough hand makes Alythia jump as she comes back to life, her husband catching the fist that dashed towards his face. He chuckles, though there's a pain behind his eyes. They don't say anything, just sit down in each other's embrace. Tears begin to spill faster, and Parker pulls her closer as her sobs grow louder.
They sit like that for hours, and Alythia can't help the guilt she feels. She's pushing her kids out the door, forcing her husband to take care of her when they both should be working, and making everyone upset for something they have no part in. The thoughts cause her tears to come faster, though she fights to keep them back. As much as Alythia loves her husband, she isn't sure she actually wants him holding her right now. No one really gets that; no one but her sister. Evelynn understood Alythia more than anyone, even Alythia herself.
Evelynn knew that when Alyhtia was upset, the last thing anyone needed was a hug. She knew to start Disney music and to pull her out of whatever state her mind was in. She knew to crack jokes, to force her out of the house and yet stay distant and let Alythia stay in control. She knew everything. So, with arms wrapping around her in almost complete silence, aggravation begins to join the power of Alythia's tears. This is all her fault. She doomed her own little sister.
She trapped the one person who helped and supported her through every decision. She sent the one person who believed she would marry her teenage boyfriend, knew she would have children with the man sitting beside her, and stuck by her through thick and thin - Alythia sent her to prison.
"News from one of the local hospitals. A man, Ryan Ogeerie, who has been in a coma for 3 years ever since an attack in his apartment…"
Parker sighs, moving to turn off the Television. Alythia looks up from the sudden movement, only to jump up and take the remote from her husband's hand. He watches her hesitantly, eyes scrunching together as he reads the pained expression growing in her eyes. He calls her name, growing even more concerned when Alythia doesn't answer. When he turns his attention to the screen, his eyes widen at the picture. On one side is a man going through CPR in a hospital with the heart monitor failing. On the other, a picture of Evelynn's mugshot stares at them. She's smiling a sarcastic grin at the camera, even with the bags under her eyes and the scratches on her face. Parker reaches to take the remote, but Alythia moves closer to the TV.
"With the near-death only hours ago, should Evelynn McGarvey still be free of the death penalty? Outrage has passed through Ryan's family, and many protests have been sent to the jail head officer. Everyone's on their toes, but no further answers have been presented to the public."
Parker watches Alythia closely as she turns off the TV, staring at the black screen in shock. Right as her knees gave out, Parker catches her. He carries her into the bedroom, gently sitting her on the bed before sitting in front of her. He holds her hands, ignoring how clammy they feel as he tightens his grip on her shaking hands. She looks through him, eyes blank, terrified, and guilty.
"Honey, this isn't your fault," Parker reminds her gently. Alythia's attention snaps to him, eyes wide and suddenly furious. "Evelynn just got in too deep. You can't do anything for her now."
She stays silent, but she looks away from her husband. She takes a moment to fidget with their wedding rings before she bounds out of bed. She leaps away from Parker's grip and dashes to the closet. She throws on one of her husband's sweaters and a quick pick of skinny jeans.
"The hell I can't." With one last word, Alythia grabs her keys and rushes out the door. She ignores her husband's panicking cries for her to stop as she pulls out of the driveway. She's never been an extremely safe driver, but that's one of the last things to worry about. So, as she drives over bumps fast enough to lift her car up and through any lights that dare turn yellow, she ignores the world around her. A fleeting thought greets her as she pulls into the closest police station.
Evelynn trusted my driving, even on the worst days. She trusted I would never hurt her.
A burning determination bonds with the thought, and Alythia bounds through the front door. Almost everyone turns to look at her - her curls lose and frazzled and her entire stance completely panicked.
"I need to talk to the chief."
"So, you're telling me that the girl who's been in jail for three years, is suddenly not guilty." The chief drawls, staring Alythia down with the flattest look anyone can muster.
"Yes," Alythia snaps, growing so close to pummeling the guy's face in.
"And why are you saying this now? Why didn't you speak up for three years - better yet, why didn't you say this in court?"
Alythia withholds a groan. She knew this was going to be difficult the moment she left the house. Her phone constantly vibrating in her pocket isn't helping her nerves either. She takes in another breath, taking a moment to just picture her little sister, holding up their signature goodbye as she was pulled away by police officers. Blowing out the air, Alyhtia opens her eyes to the chief's raised, judgemental brow.
"She wouldn't let me," Alythia speaks slow, choosing her words carefully and ignoring the dumb ass bitch in front of her.
"She wouldn't let you prove her innocence? That seems like a guilty killer to me," the man scoffs, and Alythia's temper blows.
She jumps up, grabbing the guy by his throat. Officers rush in, screaming and demanding she releases him as the man's face begins to turn blue. Right before she gets ripped away from him, Alythia puts her head closer to his, her eyes flaming as he swallows his fear in a guilty gulp.
"If you ever say that again, I will rip out your throat and feed it to the seagulls before ripping out your ribs just enough to keep you alive to watch me feed it to your goddamn dog."
Her threat is a steady whisper, and he briefly wonders how she knows about his dog before she's finally pulled away. He chokes for air, glaring back at the intimidating woman as she's shoved into handcuffs. Her eyes never leave his, as if she isn't fazed with the cuffs or the other officers. The man pushes away anyone who goes to help him, screaming his order of arrest with his face as red as a cartoon.
"Why did you attack officer Williams?"
Alythia stays silent, glaring at the wall as her interrogator slowly grows more agitated.
"This will go a lot faster if you answer the questions."
She stares at the woman, watching as her stance becomes nervous the longer Alythia holds her gaze. Opening her mouth, Alythia calmly states, "I want my lawyer."
The woman groans, stepping out of the room after reassuring Alythia that her lawyer will be on their way soon. Alythia sits in silence, taking the time to think back to the original point she had when she met with that wimpy bitch. Officer Willaims. A name she will remember when she gets her sister back.
Meanwhile, Jane sits within the office, his arm over his eyes as he lays on his couch. There hasn't been a case all day, so the office is quiet besides the shuffling papers. That, and Grace's sudden blaring ringtone. Everyone looks over as Grace quickly answers, giving the usual greeting. However, her brows furrow as she stands up and walks outside the room.
"She just attacks him and no one knows why?"
Jane catches the smidge of the conversation, his intrigue peaked as he leans closer to the door.
"That's got to be frustrating, I'm sorry Gloria," Grace sympathizes, focusing on her conversation to the point she doesn't notice Jane standing in the doorway.
"It is! Then she just looks at me and says she wants a lawyer! Why does she need a lawyer, she choked an officer in broad daylight! Plus, it's not like she'll go to jail; she would probably get a very large fine but nothing more!"
Before Grace can reply, Jane snatches her phone. Grace yelps, tuning to see Jane on her phone. She can't do anything as Jane walks away, talking to her friend and evading her hands.
"Where are you?" Jane rushes out, sounding calm as he dances out of the room.
Gloria pauses, not recognizing the voice and being caught off guard. She still answers, though.
"California City Police Department, why?"
"Don't question whoever you're talking to, I want to meet them first."
Jane hangs up before anyone can mention anything. He tosses Grace her phone, and she barely catches it as she watches Jane walk around the room and gather his things. He looks up, noticing everyone is staring at him with raised brows. He fakes confusion as he moves towards the door.
"What are you guys looking at?"
"Why did you do that?" Grace pipes up, her arms crossing as she follows Jane out the door.
"I'm curious!" Jane yells, acting as if he was personally insulted.
"About a girl who can't hold her temper?"
"Well, yes."
Jane hops into his car and starts the engine, not surprised in the least when his passenger door opens and Grace buckles in. He simply glances at her with a smirk, noticing the curious yet defensive look she gives him.
"I have to make sure you don't do anything stupid. Besides, the office is growing boring."
Jane only laughs, starting the short ride to the police department. The ride is silent, besides the honking horns and noisy cars, and it stays that way until they pull into the department. Snatching the keys out of the engine, Jane doesn't bother locking his car before strutting through the doors, Grace pacing behind him. When they open the doors, a woman stands up from the nearby wall. She walks over to them, focusing on Grace as she wraps her in a crushing hug. Jane only glances at them before walking away, leaving the two to catch up on some business.
Walking through the halls, he glances in every interrogation room. The classic black walls and metal table and chairs meet his gaze. He rarely sees anyone in the room, and if anyone is in the room they have friends with them and don't catch Jane's attention. He stays patient until he reaches near the end of the hall. Looking into the last door, he finally sees the famous hot-head. She's sitting at the table, hands cuffed with her lawyer sitting beside her. Her lawyer's trying to talk to her, his hands gesturing wildly as his irritation grows. The woman stays silent, simply watching the one-way window with unfocused eyes and proud shoulders. She doesn't regret anything she did, even with all the trouble.
Jane hums before opening the door, walking into the room with a relaxed air. He sits in the chair, finally gathering the occupants' attention. The lawyer quickly stops talking, clearing his throat and getting ready to defend his annoying patient. However, he's shocked when Alythia looks right at him and orders, "Get out."
He sputters, before growling and stomping out of the room.
Jane watches him go, even more intrigue blooming in his system. He looks back at the woman, who's staring at him with calculating eyes.
"You're that guy that got someone out of jail, aren't you?"
Patrick doesn't hesitate to prove her assumptions correct, watching her closely. With simple words, her entire stance melts. Where the stubborn, silent woman once was, is now a girl near tears as she leans forward to present her desperate plea. Jane knows what she wants, but he humors her to see how far she's willing to go for the thing she wants.
"You have to help me! Evelynn, the girl put in jail for bringing someone to a coma - I'm sure you've heard of her," she shoves the words out as if it pains her to say it.
Jane nods his head, waiting for her to continue as he scrutinizes her.
"She's innocent! You have to help her before they kill her!"
Everything grows silent. Jane can see the tears beginning to leak from her eyes, and he knows - he knows she's telling the truth. The pain in her eyes is far too great to be plastic and based on the few second encounters with her lawyer and the other officers, he knows her pride is too big to cry over nothing.
"Is this why you attacked Officer Williams?" Jane questions, leaning forward in his seat to hold the woman's hand. She's shaking, but she still pulls away from Jane's hold. Independent, Jane hums. And married.
"He insulted her, and called me a liar."
"Are you a liar, Miss?" Jane's immediate response catches her off guard. Jane's proud to see the guilt that clouds her eyes for a few seconds before it's replaced with a practiced blank face. She doesn't respond, only wipes away her tears to clear the evidence as Grace and her friend bound through the door. Patrick is forced out of the room, but they never break eye-contact. Jane watches as she goes back to ignoring everyone. She got what she came here for, nothing else is necessary to her.
When they reach the front door, Jane takes his keys from his pocket. He turns to the closest officer and says, "The most recent girl taken in - you need to release her. If she has any charges or fine you can take it up with me or the CBI."
He walks away, ignoring Grace as she chases after him. When they both settle in his car, he slams on the gas and starts the long drive. There's no time to waste, he has someone he needs to see.