Page 33 of Forever Filthy

His face turns serious. “Do you know why I am serving three life sentences?”

“For the murders?”

“Yes, but do you know which ones?” I shake my head, I didn’t exactly focus on that part of his conviction. “I was convicted for the murders of three girls.”

“But… but you don’t hurt women.” I sound like an idiot but I can’t find it within myself to care.

“No, I don’t. Someone went through great lengths to frame me and I have a feeling I know who the fuck it was and that cunt will pay for this.”

“Who was it?”

His eyes turn murderous. “Thomas Valerian.”

I reel back. “He didn’t know what Nexus?—”

“If you really believe that cunt didn’t know what his son did, then you are deluded. There is nothing Thomas doesn’t know, he was never on my radar. I had no idea why I was being arrested that day. My lawyer proved I was nowhere near where those girls were murdered but the judge still ruled against me and it wasn’tuntil I got your letter that we started digging into Nexus and his family. Turns out, Judge Garfield is a dear friend of Thomas.”

“Oh my God, they set you up!”

“Oh, they did more than that. The girls that were murdered were butchered but not by me. Any witnesses suddenly disappeared, those girls' families are nowhere to be found now. I am serving three life sentences because that cunts' son murdered my sister and this is his way of keeping me silent.”

“Let me help you,” I blurt out without thought. Alexander jerks in surprise but I can’t find it within myself to take back my offer, so I push on. “Help me find the person who killed my best friend's mom and sent me letters and I will help you get out.”

“How are you going to do that?”

“You said you know about the Saints. If that is true, then you know we have lawyers, judges and… well, we did have a DA but his head was delivered to me as well.”

“Fuck, Clive Bruce?”

I nod. “Yeah, did you know him?”

“I actually did. He was trying to help me. I just met with him a couple of weeks ago.” I study him for a moment trying to piece everything together. I was led to believe that Clive was the one who put Alex behind bars and made evidence disappear.

“Clive offered you a deal, didn’t he?”

Alex smiles. “You are very perceptive.”

“Don’t patronize me, I get enough of that from my brother.”

“Don’t be hard on your brother, it’s his job to keep you safe.”

“Don’t avoid my question.”

“Yes. Clive offered me a deal.”

“What deal?” I push.

“That’s a conversation for another time.”

I huff out my annoyance. “Whatever.”

“Vivian?”

“What?”

He turns somber and his eyes take on a furlong look. “If you are serious about helping me get out of here, then I will help you but just so you know, I would have helped you regardless.”

“Why? You don’t know me and yet here you are offering to help me track a killer.”

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