Page 42 of Drowning in Lies
Liam had done an excellent job with his side of the texts.He had studied David's interactions with Vanessa on the videos and had patterned his sleazy responses to her accordingly. It was clear that she had no idea that it wasn't David she was texting with.
I loved that he made it a point to tell her he was heading out on the boat, and then had stopped responding.It played perfectly with the partially untied mooring rope, and the idea that he'd slipped and hit his head while trying to launch the boat.I couldn't wait to hear from Liam exactly how it had all happened.
I thought I would be able to handle watching the videos again. After all, I had seen them all so many times.It was still hard though, but as I remembered my reactions from the first time around it made it easier to project those same emotions in front of the police.
By the day of the funeral, I was almost giddy with the idea of seeing Scott and Vanessa get what was coming to them.I simply couldn't resist the idea of referring to Vanessa as a wretch, given the lyrics of the song.The memory of the looks on their faces would entertain me for years to come, I was sure.I just wished I could have been there when they learned about the addition of the attempted murder charges they were facing.Their confusion would have been delightful as they'd tried to figure out what happened, followed by each of them suspecting that the other had turned on them and framed them for the whole thing.
Oh, to have been a fly on the wall for that scene would have been the cherry on top of this entire shit sundae.
Chapter 24: David's Explanation
Present day...
After greeting Liam with a warm hug, I asked if he'd eaten yet.
"I just had a pizza delivered.There's plenty if you would like some."He agreed, and I got another plate out for him while he grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator. We both headed back to the living room and sat on the couch to eat.We made small talk, mostly him updating me on my uncle and cousins. Once we finished, he asked about the case against Scott and Vanessa.
"I read the news report on the charges.Scott seems to be having a tough time on the inside," he said."He and his bunkie aren't getting along."
"Bunkie?" I asked.
Liam smiled."His cellmate, Princess. Otherwise known as a bunkie or cellie."
"I had a bunkie at summer camp when I was twelve. We made s'mores and painted each other's fingernails. Not quite the same thing," I said with a chuckle.
"No, indeed it's not," he agreed. He pulled up one leg, tucking it under the other as he turned to face me on the couch.
"The prosecutor called, and wants to meet with me on Monday to go over any questions he has and prepare me for my testimony."
Liam tilted his head and looked at me carefully. "Are you going to be OK with that? Remember, just stick to - "
" - the plan," I finished his sentence with him. "I know, just stick to the plan.I think I'll be OK.I'll just keep doing what I've been doing.It's worked so far."
"Good girl. Just remember, at the first hint that anything is going south, you get out of there and call me or Conor. We'll get you out of the damned country before they know you've even left the city."
"I know, but let's hope it doesn't come to that.I have no desire to spend the rest of my life hiding and looking over my shoulder."
He snorted. "No, but it beats the hell out catching a premeditated murder charge, for both of us. I'm too pretty to last in the cage, Princess."He smirked at me as I choked on a sip of my Diet Pepsi at his comment.
"All right, Pretty Boy, so tell me what happened after I left the dock that day.Now that we have the privacy and the time to talk, I want all the details," I said.
"I can do better than that.I filmed the whole fucking thing on a burner phone just for you."
He pulled a phone out of his pocket and tapped the screen to unlock it, before handing it over to me."There you go, it's the only video on there.I'll destroy this phone once you watch it - and no, this burner phone doesn't get backed up on anything so once this is gone there is no trail left for anyone to find."
I nodded and took a deep breath, taking the phone from him. I noticed that my hand was shaking slightly, and I hesitated before pressing play.
"You OK?You don't have to watch it you know. I can just give you the highlights," he offered quietly.
I rolled my head along my shoulders, trying to ease the sudden tension in my neck."No, I need to see it. I don't think it could be any worse than what I've imagined - or what I've seen in my nightmares," I said with a shudder, remembering the dream where I was drowning along with David.
I pressed the screen, and the image of David standing on the dock came to life.Liam's forearm and right hand were visible in the lower corner, along with the gun he had pointed at David.I turned the volume up so I could hear them clearly.
"Who the fuck are you?"David asked, sounding shocked and a little scared.
Liam chuckled off-screen. "Liam Doyle, not that my name really matters at this point."He gestured with the gun."Pull your phone out of your back pocket with your right hand, and slowly set it on the dock in front of you."
David complied. "Now very carefully slide it forward with your right foot.If you kick it into the water, I'll blow a hole in your kneecap.Good...a little more...a bit more. Thank you. Now, take three steps back."
