Page 12 of Shameless

“So you two think Rikki murdered those three people?” I accuse them. “I don’t understand how you can represent anyone in this circumstance, Mr. Larson. Weren’t you a part of the hunt too? Have the police interviewed you?”

Maybe I shouldn’t antagonize one of the people who could help Rikki, but I can’t fucking help it.

“Son,” Sheriff Pullin’s tone is full of compassion and that makes me feel a million times worse. “Scott and I were talking to Mr. Andrews when we heard the shots. We had started to eat breakfast. There’s no way either of us could be in two places at the same time and the owner of this island can confirm it.”

It feels like the walls of this huge room are closing in on me. “So you seriously think Rikki did it?” I croak.

“No,” Scott Larson’s voice is softer, as he clasps my shoulder. “I’ve gotten to know Rikki in the past year. I don’t think he did it. However, I also didn’t know about his problems with addiction and drugs can make people do things that are completely out of character. I’m not implying anything and when it comes to representing him, it doesn’t really matter if he’s innocent or guilty.”

Fuck.

That’s absurd, but it’s typical lawyer talk. It’s not about the justice or even the truth. It’s all about what you can prove or who can argue their case better.

“Let me go to Berry Point,” Scott offers. “I’ll get Samantha to contact one of her best colleagues from a different firm. But I’ll stay there until Rikki’s new attorney arrives and I’ll make sure his interest are protected.”

Arianna smiles. “Thank you, Scott.”

I still don’t feel at ease about this entire situation. “How long will it take to have the test results?”

Scott shrugs. “It’s hard to tell. It depends on where they send the samples. Some labs could have the results in a few hours, some could take a couple of days.”

I rub my forehead. “So they could keep Rikki for a few days?”

Scott reassures me. “Not unless they think there’s a reason to detain him. As it is, he isn’t under arrest and I’m pretty sure I can get them to release him once they get what they need from him.”

I thank Scott Larson again. “Your help means a lot.”

He nods, his expression somber. “Don’t mention it. Tom, Arianna, can you make sure Paris and London get a safe ride home? They rode here with Trevor Braverman.”

Tom promises he’ll see that the twins get back safely to Star Cove once we’re allowed to leave.

Sheriff Pullin follows the lawyer out of the living room, in search of an update on when the police will decide to let us go home.

I turn my attention to Mom. “Mom, are you ok?”

She shakes her head. “I just… I don’t know. I’m worried about your brother.”

That makes two of us. “The Larsons will get him a good lawyer,” I reassure her, feigning a confidence I don’t feel. “And I’ll find a way to pay for it somehow.”

In all the turmoil of this morning’s events, I hadn’t thought about what Eddie’s death means for me financially.

What will happen to the team? To our contracts?

Arianna reassures me. “Don’t worry about the legal fees. I’ve got those.”

My first instinct would be to refuse her help. I’m used to relying on myself, but I know that if we lose the team, there’s no way I can even pay the damages I owe Evan. The extra debt is something I really can’t afford. “Thank you, Arianna.”

Lula’s stepmom smiles. “Don’t mention it. When I say that you are family, I mean it. Come on Tilly,” she wraps one arm around Mom’s shoulders. “When we heard the shots we had just started to get our breakfast and we didn’t get to eat anything. You look pale and I’m so hungry, I’m shaking. Let’s see if the staff can put something together for everyone here.”

“Good thinking darling,” Tom smiles at his wife. “While you do that, I want to check on George. Poor Maura. I can’t even think of anything worse. If something happened to Lula—” he shakes his head, overcome by emotion.

I know Lula’s relationship with her father has been rocky since the divorce.

I’ve seen Tom Turner be tough on his daughter and on Stefan in particular but there’s no doubt that however misguided his actions might be, he cares about Lula.

That’s more than I can say about my late father.

Fuck.

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