She shrugs. “He had cancer and was going to die anyway. What I did was prevent him from suffering those final months.”
She’s never admitted it before. “You admit it then? That you had him killed?”
Stacy glances around to make sure no one is listening. “Yes. I know you know. Like I said, you’re the smart one. But facts don’t matter in the world we are living in now, do they?” She smiles, and it’s repulsive. “My attorney thinks there are grounds for reversing my conviction. That’s why she’s working on it right now.”
She really thinks she’s getting out.
“You better hope you don’t get out,” I say.
She tilts her head to one side. “And why not?”
“After hurting Reed this way—and all of Hawthorne’s family—you better believe we will make your life hell.”
She laughs. “I appreciate the effort you’re giving here, but we both know you’re a good man. All of you are. You aren’t going to come after me.”
On the first point, she’s right. We are good men. But I don’t think she realizes she’s pushing us to our breaking point.
“Is there anything else, or did you just come here to tell me to back off?”
“How much do you want?” I ask.
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re doing this for money, aren’t you? You do everything for money. So, how much do you want to stop trashing Reed?”
Her smile fades. “You don’t get it to you? This isn’t about money. What would I do with money in here? No, I want my freedom. And once I get it, then I’ll get my money.”
“Your money?”
“Yes, my inheritance that was stolen from me. And I’ll probably get a book deal.”
“Your brother said you offered him half of everything to do the podcast.”
She laughs. “You do your research. Yes, Peter’s my brother. And he would do anything for money.”
“Including lying about you and your innocence?”
“Including that. And trashing Reed’s reputation? Well, that’s a bonus.”
I lean forward. “Why are you being so honest about everything now?”
She leans forward. “Because I’m about to be free, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
One thing I can count on with Stacy is that she doesn’t think things through. She left evidence, and that’s why she’s in prison. And now, after today, I’ll make sure she never gets out.
I have nothing else I want to say to her, so I stand up and leave.
There is some banging on the glass. I’m sure it’s Stacy trying to get my attention. Finally, I can ignore her for good.
CHAPTER 36
Axel
Three months later
“Thank you for coming in, Mr. Charles.”
I take a seat in the DA’s office. I was called in to corroborate some evidence.
