“I went to James Madison High School. It was huge. I didn’t really have a lot of friends, but there were a few kids I hung out with at lunch and after school sometimes.”
“I figured you would have been one of the popular girls. You weren’t the prom queen?”
“I didn’t even go to the prom. How about you? It must have been nice going to high school with the same kids you grew up with.”
“I hated school. I didn’t really like the kids, so school was a pain in the ass for me. I guess that’s when my father’s disapproval started.”
“Why? Did you cut class and get in trouble?”
“You could say I got in trouble. I got in a lot of trouble.”
“Well, it looks like you turned out okay anyway.”
“Yup, just like you did. Why don’t you try the pie and coffee?”
“Of course,” I say and eat a forkful. “It’s delicious.” It’s a little dry so I take a sip of coffee.
“That’s it. There’s plenty more where that came from.” He beams, and I can’t bring myself to relax. “What about boyfriends? Did you have a lot of those?”
“No. Not until now anyway.”
Something about his expression changes like he’s morphing into a different version of himself, and he sets his fork down hard on the table.
“Who’s the lucky guy? Is it the Sheriff? Don’t you think he’s a little old for you?”
My face gets hot and I drop my fork too. “I don’t think that’s any of your business and, to be honest, that’s very rude.”
“Rude? Well, it’s not the first time someone has called me that. I don’t think I’m rude, though. I just tell it like it is. If it offends you, then maybe it’s because you don’t want to face the truth.”
I can’t believe what he’s saying to me. It’s no wonder he had no friends in high school.
“Well, Luke is a very nice person. I think you’d like him if you got to know him.”
“I don’t plan on finding out. When it comes to cops, I try to keep my distance.” He wears a smug grin on his face, and it gives me the creeps.
“Why is that? Have you had legal problems?” I take another sip of the coffee. Either the pie or the conversation has left a bitter taste in my mouth.
“There was a girl…well…a couple of girls actually who made some terrible accusations about me. I can’t understand why they would do something like that. They gave me the green light, and I tried to proceed. Then, they acted like I broke the law. You know how it is. The cops always believe the woman, right?”
“I wouldn’t know. That’s not something I’ve ever had to deal with, and I hope to never find out.” I cross my arms as the conversation takes an even more uncomfortable turn.
“Well, I’m here to tell you they do. I don’t understand why these bitches just throw themselves at you and then cry about it when you expect them to follow through. It makes me crazy, you know? I mean, if I don’t put them in their place, who will? It’s like I’m doing a public service for all the unsuspecting men out there.”
“Michael, I don’t think…” I try to stand but my legs don’t seem able to hold my weight. The room goes white and my head begins to spin. “You should leave, Michael. I don’t feel well...”
“Sit back down, Lori. There you go.” Michael’s voice echoes in my ears. “I’m not going anywhere. When you fall asleep, I’ll take you to bed and show you why I’ve been waiting all this time for you to come back to town. It’s lucky that my pops and I live right around the corner. Made it so easy for me to keep my eye on you. I saw you with that cop the other night. I saw what he did to you. How he seduced you. He crossed a line, Lori. You shouldn’t have let him do that.”
I should try to scream or claw his eyes out, but I’m completely helpless. How could I have been stupid enough to let him in the house? Did we even know each other when we were kids?
The world around me grows dim as if someone is slowly pulling down a window shade. I try to fight it by peering across the room and blinking my eyes, but that only makes me nauseous. Nothing prevents the room from going black and my consciousness from fading away.
10
LUKE
My sole reason for coming into the office is to look into this Michael DiMiglio character.
I didn’t like the way he approached us or the look in his eyes when he spoke to my girl. I’ve spent so much time in law enforcement that I can spot a perp in any situation. I might not know what they’ve done, but I know they’re guilty of something.
