Ch. 26 Devil Came To Me

"You."

"Me."

"What are you doing here?" she asked irritated.

"Well, as every other person in this town, I'm aware of your predicament. I'd like to offer you a way out." she offered. "For a price."

Courtney scoffed at the woman.

"A price?" she questioned somewhat amused. Whatever price she had in mind was probably something completely outrageous. "My soul?"

"You still have one?" she replied sarcastically. "I hear killers aren't born with those."

"Well, you would know." she replied, offering a fake smile along with the comment.

"Oh, ouch." she said, placing her hand over heart to feign offense. "Cut me deep there, Bunny Rabbit."

She walked closer to the bars and looked inside. Her eyes traveled over the small place, as if she was judging her living quarters.

"Nice place you've got here." she commented.

"I'm sure you've seen nicer ones, or at least you will soon enough."

"Watch yourself, Bunny." she chuckled. "Your 'holier than thou' act isn't going to fly anymore. If you haven't noticed, you're the one behind bars. For murder no less. Face it, you're no better than anyone else."

"I'm nothing like you." she growled.

"No?" she asked. "Let's think that through that theory."

Courtney did her best to tune her out, but she found it impossible. The woman was not only crazy, she was annoying beyond all reason. To the point where she was impossible to ignore. So, unfortunately, Courtney heard every word she said.

"You betrayed your family, shot someone, let them die, skipped the country." she listed. "No you're not me. I wouldn't have gotten caught."

"Just go." she ordered.

She didn't want to be compared to Faith. She didn't want to see her or hear her or even know her.

"I haven't made my offer." she informed. "You hurt my feelings."

" I don't want anything from you."

"Fine, I'll leave you to your cozy little place and go find some way to entertain myself."

She paused for a moment and reached in her purse and pulled out the firearm. Checking the ammunition, she smiled thinking of how neglectful the department was when it came to the safety of the people in custody. Especially one there for killing one of their 'finest.'

"I'll just pop by and see what your ex is up to tonight." she said and turned to walk away.

"Wait." Courtney said to halt her. The insinuation that she would go after Jason was enough to make her at least listen to the offer. "What do you want?"

"Simple, I can arrange for a scapegoat to take the fall. You'd be free and clear."

"And what would you get?" she asked.

"A job."

"A job?" she repeated confused.

"Not for me. The job would be for you." she explained. "You agree to work for me, you get out of here."

"I'd rather rot." she replied.

"As you wish." Faith said, then leaned in close and spoke softly. "I'll take care of Jason while your g-"

Faith didn't get to finish as she was interrupted by Courtney, who reached out with lighting speed and grabbed a handful of her bleached hair. She held it tight in her fist as she spoke.

"You stay the hell away from Jason, you hear me?" she threatened. "Or you'll be sorry."

"What are you going to do about it?" she asked, gritting her teeth at the burning she felt at the top of her skull where she felt her hair being ripped out.

Without a word in response, Courtney gave Faith her answer. In a quick movement, Courtney pulled harshly on her hair, sending her head smacking against the metal bar. She let go after the impact, allowing her to fall to the floor.

"Not smart, Bunny." she stated getting to her feet. "Guard!"

"What is it?" the man asked, not sounding too please to have been summoned.

"She attacked me." she accused, pointing one hand at the growing red mark on her forehead, and another at Courtney.

"Calm down, lady." he said.

"I demand something be done about this."

Jason walked into the station. He looked around for someone to take him to see Courtney. Everyone seemed to be busy with something. He thought about interrupting someone and demand their assistance, but something caught his eye. He saw Faith Roscoe talking with Scott Baldwin. Apparently finished, she walked away from him and in Jason's direction. She saw him standing there and stopped in front of him. He noticed the reddish area and wondered what happened to her.

"Better tell your girlfriend to control that temper of hers." she warned. "It's enough to believe she'd kill someone."