Page 10 of Beneath Deception
“Seems to be a lot of that going around,” I interjected. “Sloan’s partner, Detective Wallace, decided Direction 96 was a good place to have a drink.”
“Are you going to tell me what the fuck is going on, London?” The only sound louder than Colin’s voice was the slamming of his drink on the glass table beside the couch where he was sitting.
I wasn’t expecting was Colin’s outrage, but one thing I knew for sure, whatever he was fishing for, I couldn’t let him know the truth. Leaning against my desk, I gave him a stern, confident look. “I think they are grasping at straws. We are the only connection to Jeffries, but they have no confirmed evidence that either one of us had anything to do with his murder.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Colin paused, standing to his feet and moving to the credenza where my finest scotch was kept. Turning to face me, he took a healthy drink. “You must take me for a fool, London.”
“What’s your point, Gates?” I urged.
“I know that you didn’t kill Jeffries,” Colin began. “Do you want to know how I know this?”
“Enlighten me,” I choked.
“Because I did,” he confessed.
The room went silent. And for once, I was totally speechless. Nothing I could say could cover up the truth. Even though I was standing and Colin reclaimed his seat on the couch, I felt as low as the rug beneath his feet. I would be lucky if I didn’t find myself dead after this discovery.
Sinking lower against my desk, I only dared look him in the face. “So, you know. How long?”
“Since just before those two detectives showed up here a few days ago. I was going to let it go, but seeing as how one of them came to visit me, it was time to initiate my plan.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Gates?” I cursed.
“You, my dear friend. I am not going to take the fall for Jeffries’ death… you are.”
