Guilty As Charged
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Red Eye!
Chapter Six
Miami – Miami-Dade Police Station – Interrogation Room
It took three burly police officers to jerk the writhing Jackson Rippner off Maura. The officers struggled to hold him as a fourth person fitted him with handcuffs and other restraints.
Jackson continued to mutter about Jack. Most of what he said was nonsense, yet he continually uttered "You don't touch Jack… You don't touch my Jackie…"
Maura started to cough, rolling on the floor as she tried to breathe.
What's wrong with you, Jackson? What happened this morning?
"Get him out of here!" Sheldon ordered, shooing the officers towards the door. "Put him in lock-up!"
"No…" Maura coughed, trying to stand. If they took Jackson away, she might not ever understand what made him snap, let alone be able to get him help.
"And send someone in to look at Miss Brown."
The officers nodded, half-dragging, half-carrying Jackson toward the door. Jackson wasn't cooperating in the least.
"No… don't… making… mistake…"
Miami – Lisa's Hospital Room
"He… he tried to kill me?"
She didn't remember anything like that. There weren't any flashes of memory, any indication of violence. No shouting, no yelling. Nothing. Just pain.
"He almost choked you to death with his bare hands, Mrs. Rippner," one of the officers said. "He cornered you in your bedroom and choked you."
"Jack… Jackson wouldn't do that…"
No matter what, he loves me. He's always loved me…
"Mrs. Rippner—"
"Please leave."
"I'm just doing my job—"
"Please leave. I have nothing more to say."
The two police officers reluctantly headed toward the door.
"We'll be back. In the meantime, if you think of anything or have any questions, please… call us at this number," one of them said, placing a business card on her tray table.
"Good-bye," Lisa nearly hissed, despite her sore throat.
The door to her hospital room shut and she relaxed.
Jackson didn't do this… I know he didn't. Well, not physically…
She sighed, trying to remember this morning. Why couldn't she remember the accident that left her hospitalized? Was it that traumatic? Or was it more sinister than an "accident"?
This isn't right…something about this is wrong. Jackson didn't do this to me. He's never come this close to killing me before—and the police have never jumped all over him, either. What's different about this time?
They had been arguing a lot about Kyra. Jackson was protective of his favorite daughter, but he'd never strangle Lisa to death because of a fight. Not even about Kyra.
Kyra needed help. Professional help. It pained Lisa to admit it, yet it was in Kyra's best interest.
Did Kyra do this? Is she that unhinged?
No, her daughter wasn't that cold. Kyra couldn't have done this… could she?
Miami – Law Office of Maura Brown
Kyra snapped her cell phone shut.
What is going on? What did you do, Dad?
She stood up, heading for her father's car. She didn't want to continue the violence that surrounded her family, but she had no choice. To save her father, she had to take his place. She had to take his old job back. She had to fix his mistakes.
She had to kill Charles Keefe.
Author's Notes:
I am sooo sorry about the long delay in updates. I knew where the story was going, then I got busy, forget what my plan was, and then it spiraled out of control from there. I'm sorta on summer break now, so as long as I can get back on track with my plan, updates should be (hopefully) once a week.
The next chapter will be about Charles Keefe and how he fits into everything.
Thanks for reading and please review!