Extreme Malice Read online

  Chapter 12

  Wednesday, October 5th 14:55 pm

  Jack returned to his job on the Monday and got his car back on the Tuesday. Brad told him he would have his house back Thursday evening. He also returned to his regular workouts at the gym. He was pleased to hear the words of support and condolences from everyone he ran into at his regular hangouts.

  Jack was at the gym on a core machine when Dean came in. Jack didn’t see him arrive. At the end of a set, he spotted Dean through the reflection on the mirrored wall behind him. He was standing alone holding his gym bag at his side. He stared at Jack in the mirror. How long had he been standing there?

  Jack gave a quick wave to Dean through the mirror. Dean turned away and disappeared into the change room. He had not heard from Dean for a number of days, and although he was delighted with that fact, his curiosity got the best of him.

  Jack caught up with Dean in the change room as he was pulling on his trainers.

  "Hi, Dean."

  Dean looked up, saw it was Jack, and continued to tie his laces.

  "You can't just ignore me. We've been friends for a long time."

  Dean stopped messing with his laces, stood up, and turned to Jack.

  "Do you have any idea what I've been going through, Jack? No, you don't. I'm not sure you really want to talk to me right now."

  "You said I was all clear. Why are you giving me attitude?"

  Dean clenched his fists and shook his head.

  "Jesus, Jack. I know what you did. I just don't know how the hell you did it. Right now, I'm working every minute trying to find anything to put that kid in the clear, and it ain't right. That's not my job."

  "If he's guilty..."

  "He's not guilty!" Dean shouted. Dean was angry. "That kid couldn't kill a fly if he tried. If it was anyone but you, I'd wash my hands of this situation, follow the evidence, and say that kid is just a good fucking liar, but I know it isn't true."

  "So now what?" Jack asked. He hoped he wasn't being too pushy. "Maybe it was someone else, then?"

  "Fuck, Jack! I have to present all my evidence against this kid in a matter of days. The mayor, the chief, and the prosecutor are all up my ass wanting this one closed ASAP." Dean ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "This whole mess...your own wife? Then the kid next door? And now you say someone else?" He shook his head and shrugged. "The evidence at your house, Jack...what the hell…"

  "What do you want me to say? That I strangled Donna and called Josh from the house when I was three hundred miles away? What do you want from me?"

  "I want to know how you did it. I'm tired, and I'm angry. We were good friends once. Real good friends, Jack."

  "I know, Dean. Why won't you believe I had nothing to do with this?"

  "Get out of my way," Dean said. He pushed past Jack and headed out to the weight room.

  Jack sighed and stared at himself in the mirror. What did Dean see when he looked at Jack? He probably sees exactly what I see, Jack thought.