Chapter 7
Luke Evans was a tall, athletic boy with dark hair and striking blue eyes. He was nervously staring at the door, waiting for Detective Decker to arrive, although she only showed up two minutes after he was taken to the interrogation room.
-Are you a friend of Eileen Sammuels?
-Yes. What happened to her was horrible. Do you think my father...
-No. I think Eileen almost died because she tried to prove your father's innocence. Did she tell you anything about her intentions?
-No. She was my friend, and she still is. But she did not make such confidences to me.
Lucifer realized that Luke had his eyes down and was looking away, unable to bear what Chloe's questions suggested.
-Are you sure? It could be related to his attacker.
-I'm sure -he lied.
-Luke, we know you're lying. Eileen talked to you -Lucifer said in his more serious tone of voice-. And for some reason, you tried convince you that it was not true. What do you really wish you had done?
-I wish... that I had chosen her.
Lucifer was stunned, as was Chloe. It was the last thing they had expected.
-How? What do you mean?
-I've known Eileen since middle school. The last time I saw her was at the prom. And when I met her in college, we became friends again. I was with her at the New Year's Eve party. While everyone else was celebrating the new year, she held my hand. -his eyes glowed with tears-. I remembered how much I loved her, that I had always loved her. You have no idea what it is like to love someone knowing that they will break your heart.
-If you loved her so much, why didn't you leave Veronica? -asked Lucifer.
-Because she's more normal -Luke replied, wiping away his tears-. Because she doesn't go around with her sincerity and sweeps everything away. God, you must think I'm awful.
-I'm not here to judge, Luke -said Chloe. She wasn't in a position to judge anyone-. I just want to know the truth.
-She came to my house a couple of days ago. She told me that Veronica was not raped. That she lied to get something that belonged to my father. I thought she meant the Biology tests, but Eileen told me it was something much more important. And that she was about to get proof that Veronica was lying and that she was trying to get something very valuable for someone.
-What was so important?
-I didn't let her explain why I told her to fuck off, without giving her a chance -he clenched his fists-. I couldn't believe that I had eliminated my father from my life because of a lying whore without scruples or dignity. A lying whore who I called a girlfriend. But now I don't know what to believe. Because tell me: What was it about my father that was so valuable that when she didn't get it, she falsely accused rape to ruin him completely? Who asked her to do that outrage?
Chloe's mouth was open with pure amazement. If she opened it a little more, her jaw would become dislocated. In her mind a really disturbing theory was beginning to form, but that possibly was the truth that there was found out Eileen. She just needed to do a check.
At that moment, Dan opened the door. He had his eyes out of joint and a terrified expression.
-Chloe! You need to come to the lab now. You won't believe what Ella has discovered.
-I think so -Chloe replied, as she ran to the lab, trying to get rid of the black feeling in her head.
Ella was in a hurry when Dan, Chloe and Lucifer arrived. On the table was the laptop with Eileen's USB . But that wasn't a USB .
-Ella, did you check to see if there was any connection between Williams Pharmaceuticals and Charles Evans? I think I know what Eileen discovered.
-Yes. A month before Charles was accused of rape, Regina tried to get him to sell her patent on his cancer treatment in exchange for two million euros a year. But he refused, as he planned to talk to the Health Department so that the treatment would become the property of the state and the cost of which was taken care of by the Social Security. And according to Charles Evans' statement, he found Veronica going through her computer. He kicked her out, but I doubt he knew what he was really doing.
-Regina sent her daughter to steal Charles Evans' research. -Chloe understood what she meant-. And when the plan failed, she decided that if she couldn't get the treatment, no one would.
-Exactly. With her knowledge of medicine, she had no trouble faking a rape. She did it to get back at Charles for not giving her the cash cow. And she achieved it. He lost his job, his friends, his wife and even contact with his son. Until Eileen arrived and started to investigate what happened.
-Do we have proof of her investigation?
-Yes. -I spoke to a cybernetic forensic expert and this flash drive is also a spy flash drive. It takes pictures and records conversations. Eileen also cloned the drive, adding a radio broadcast program to it. So if Regina destroyed the recorder, she had a copy of the recording on the twin drive. And a copy of the photo she took -a check made out to Eileen, signed by Regina, whose value made Chloe's eyebrows arch.
-Have they taken out the recording?
-Integer. The content is really juicy. Listen.
Ella pressed a few keys, and suddenly Regina and Eileen's voices were heard as clearly as if they were in the lab.
-Hello, Eileen -Regina's voice was sweet and cordial, but Eileen could detect a hint of evil. What are you here for? Do you know anything about my daughter's rapist?
-Yes, that it was you -Eileen's voice was sharp as a knife-. You faked Veronica's rape as revenge for not getting the patent on the gene therapy treatment developed by my professor. You sent your daughter to steal Charles Evans' research, trying to pass it off as an innocent test theft. But when Charles caught her red-handed, you had to improvise. For an experienced pharmacist who knew Charles' habits well, it must have been a piece of cake to simulate injuries similar to those of a chemical rape.
The silence was a real eye-opener. Lucifer was able to notice the Eileen's voice slightly hesitated, but her intensity surprised him.
-I'll make you a deal, Mrs. Williams. You talk your daughter into signing a statement that Veronica was not raped, but that it was all a lie, as Charles caught her trying to steal biology tests and thus tried to protect herself from immediate expulsion from Fairfax High School, and quite possibly a stay in juvie for theft. Otherwise, I'm going to talk to the police and tell them that you ruined a good man's life just because he refused to let you get your hands on cancer treatment to sell it at a golden price. And don't give me any crap about who's going to take my word over yours, because it's one thing if I'm not 19 yet, it's quite another if the police are stupid.
Despite the dramatic of the situation, Chloe held a smile. Despite never having met her, Eileen Sammuels liked her. Regina's voice was still sweet, but cold, like a snake's smile just before it ate you.
-Eileen, it's true that you could mess up and get me into big trouble. But I know that you are also very intelligent, although if you are studying Medicine is because your mother is working herself to death for a shitty salary. What future do you think awaits you, without a scholarship? At the least thoughtful moment you'll have to quit your studies. A shitty life awaits you. I'm offering you a unique opportunity to succeed. Ask for anything you want, for you and your parents. You choose. Five million? Ten?
In the face of Eileen's silence, Regina continued to make offers.
-Fifteen? Twenty? I can't go any higher. How about twenty million and a position as a surgeon at Ronald Reagan Hospital right after graduation? And you wouldn't have to spend years as a resident intern. I see you're drooling. Okay, twenty million and before I turn thirty I'll be chief surgeon. I'm going to write you a check right now, is that okay?
An instant later Lucifer heard the sound of a spit so clearly that he could almost visualize the trajectory of the saliva between Eileen's lips and Regina's face. The girl's yell must have been heard all over the station.
-¡I don't want to progress to become a greedy motherfucker like you!
-I see that it can't be just like that... I'm sorry, but you can't go to the police with the story.
A metallic sound was heard, then Eileen's scream of pain. She had driven the lance from the armor in her office. But a second later a shot was heard.
-You bitch! -Regina cursed, leaning back. Then there was a muffled groan, and then silence. Here, if the girl had a tape recorder.
At that moment, there was a crackle and then nothingness. Regina had destroyed the tape recorder. Lucifer spent a few moments trying to assimilate what was heard. The only thing he could think of to say was:
-Eileen shot Regina. That explains why she was limping in the interview. But it doesn't explain why Charles Evans has disappeared.
-No -said Dan-. This explains everything. Regina knew that Eileen was working with Charles, and she probably told him her suspicions.
-So if Regina knows... -Lucifer began to say.
-She's going to get rid of the last loose end, -Chloe finished. And understanding what was about to happen,she shouted-. Run!