“I didn’t know,” she blurts out. “I swear to God, I didn’t know Mel was going to do that. I thought…”—she swallows hard—“I thought she was just going to try to sleep with you. Stir up some drama. Make Faith leave.”
“Stir up drama?” My voice cuts sharp. “Is that what we’re calling it now? Melody contacted Faith’s abusive ex. Gave him access to my apartment, thanks to you. Made sure to do it when I wouldn’t be there. And he beat her within an inch of her life.” I lean forward, voice low and furious. “You think that’s drama? That’s attempted murder, Paula. Don’t dress it up.”
Paula shakes her head in despair. “I didn’t know about this guy…I mean, I knew he existed. I…Mel said that Faith stole from him, and she talked to him.”
“Why would Melody talk to this asshole?”
Paula closes her eyes, tears leak out. “To…figure out how to get rid of Faith, get her to leave Silverton.”
“And you were in on the plan?”
She purses her lips, nods. “I…I always thought you and Mel would get together. My best friend and my brother.” A sob tears through her. “I wanted that. Mel is nice and?—”
“Melody made you a co-conspirator in assault, Paula. She orchestrated my girlfriend getting hurt. You think that’s nice?”
Paula nibbles at her lower lip, sniffling. “She’s so beautiful. And she dresses nice and…she’s…she’s my best friend, Cain.”
“So, the plan was to scare Faith with her asshole ex, who used to beat her, so she’d run from here like she did from Seattle?”
She nods, her eyes closed.
I let the silence settle, let her sit with what that means.
“She could’ve been killed, Paula.”
“I know.” Her voice cracks. “I didn’t know it would go that far. I didn’t?—”
“But you gave Melody my apartment key.”
“Because I was stupid. I thought if Melody could get you to sleep with her, you'd...you’d walk away from Faith. And maybe come back to us. To me.”
I sit back. “I’m your brother. I’ve always been there for you. This is you being cruel to someone to impress your friend. High school was over a long time ago, Paula.”
She starts crying in earnest. “I know.”
“I’ll get you a lawyer,” I interrupt. “Mom and Dad said they’ll help if you’re willing to go stay in Palm Desert with them. Get your shit together. Get some space. They’re done enabling you. So am I.”
She presses her palms to her eyes, shoulders shaking. “Please don’t hate me, Cain.”
“I don’t hate you. But I can’t be your brother the way you want me to be. Not if it means sacrificing everything decent left in me.”
She tries to speak, but I’m already walking away.
Melody is next. She’s pacing the interview room like she’s rehearsing a monologue.
She throws herself at me when I walk in. “Cain! Oh my God, thank God. Please. You know I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I just wanted to scare her. Make her leave. I?—”
“Stop.” I set her away from me and sit her down on a plastic chair.
She sobs harder. “I didn’t know he was going to hurt her like that?—”
“You gave him my apartment keys, told him when she’d be alone, you wanted her hurt.”
“Cain,please?—”
“I’m here to look at you before you spend God knows how long in prison, so I can live the rest of my life knowing you’re paying for your crimes.”
She blinks, stunned. “I grew up with you and Paula, Cain. I’m her best friend.”
