Page 16 of Shameless

“What do you mean?” Lula asks.

“I don’t know who the fuck shot those people and I don’t care,” Tiffany smirks. “Let’s just say that if Evan and Howard don’t want to lose their alibi, they better be extra nice to me.”

5.A Rock And A Hard Place

Lula

I’m not surprised that Tiffany lied to give Howard and Evan an alibi.

“Just in case you’re thinking about going to the sheriff with this tidbit of information,” Tiffany threatens. “Let me remind you who made sure you were given probation after rehab and who made it possible for you to come to California. One word to the wrong person from any of you, and I’ll make sure those favorable terms are revoked faster than you can light your next joint. Am I clear?”

The one thing I learned growing up with Tiffany is that her threats are never idle. “Crystal.” I bite out.

For some reason, I feel sad for Tiffany. She might have come a long way from her childhood in a run down trailer park and have all the designer clothes and the fancy stuff her greedy heart desires, but is she truly happy?

Growing up I always thought that Arianna was the only person my mother truly loved. Other than herself of course. Since Arianna and Dad got together, I think Tiffany hasn’t just feltbetrayed but also lost. Arianna was someone Tiffany looked up to and confided in. Now all she has is a husband who doesn’t love her and Evan as a stepson.

I know she made her own bed, but it must be awful not to have anyone you truly love and trust.

“Lula,Stefan,” Dad opens the glass paned door that connects the living room to the balcony. “The police is done interviewing everyone and the sheriff would like to talk to all of us.”

I don’t miss the disapproval in his eyes when he looks at Stefan. It almost beats the way he glares at Tiffany.

The living room is full again, everyone who was at the hunt is present, except Rikki.

That includes Howard and Evan, who are sitting on one of the couches with glasses of scotch in their hands.

Evan’s dark eyes land on me and I can barely stifle a shiver when the corners of his lips lift in an arrogant grin.

When Paris and London wave at me from the opposite direction, I have no hesitation to join them.

I know Evan can’t do anything to me in a room full of people, but my reaction to him is almost visceral. His soulless dark gaze makes my stomach lurch and my skin break out in goosebumps almost like when I see a big spider.

“Lula,” Paris wraps her arms around me. “Are you ok?”

Her eyes are puffy and red even under her flawless makeup and London looks just as anxious and shaken.

“No, I’m not ok.” I murmur. “I just want to go home.”

It’s true.

The last twenty-four hours have put me through the wringer; the unwanted reunion with Evan and my mother is just the tip of the iceberg. Last night I almost died trying to drop off Mason’s bag and I don’t even want to think about the kind of hell I’ll have to pay when he finds out that I lost his goods. There are three dead bodies and I’m quite confident that whoever shot Maura, Eddie and Trevor is in this room right now.

The only good thing that came out of this weekend was clearing the air with Jules. Even that however makes me anxious. I’m in love with him but that doesn’t change the fact that I love Stefan with equal intensity and my feelings for Crew are growing with every passing day.

My life has become a crazy roller coaster and I have no idea how to get off this scary ride without puking my guts out at the end.

The sheriff who interviewed me enters the room with Mr. Andrews by his side.

My heart breaks at the sight of Dad’s best friend. I only met him briefly yesterday when we arrived, and this morning when he climbed out of his Jeep at the stables.

The eccentric billionaire looks like he’s aged two decades in the span of a few hours.

“I think we’re all here,” the sheriff clears his throat to get everyone’s attention. “First of all, I would like to thank everyone for their cooperation so far. And of course Mr. Andrews for putting all his resources at our disposal while we carried out this first round of interviews.”

The atmosphere in the room is thick with tension. It might be the elegant house we’re in, the way everyone seems to have changed into their Sunday best, but this reminds me of the revelation scene in a whodunnit movie.

My feeling is reinforced by the sheriff’s next words. “I want to be clear that I’m one hundred percent certain that the person or persons who perpetrated the horrific crime this morning at the stables are in this room right now.”

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