Page 83 of A Spot of Tea
Derek leapt to his feet, his face inches away from the tip of Joey’s nose. His breath was hot and smelled of sour milk. “What did you just say to me?”
“I’m telling you what she told me.” Joey didn’t budge. “If you don’t want to hear it, I’ll leave.”
Derek stared, his eyes hard. He sat down. “What did she tell you?”
Joey lowered his shoulders, the muscles in his back softening. “She told me she was using you, that she was going to take the money to run away with me. She said she has all the evidence to frame you for the robberies.”
He shook his head. “No. She can’t. She wouldn’t do that to me.”
Joey held his breath. “She can and she will. She’s doing it right now.”
Derek snapped his head to the side. “This isn’t happening.” He slammed his fist into the wall. “She wouldn’t do this to me!” His eyes were rimmed red, tears glimmering at the lids.
Some small, innocent part of Joey’s heart sunk. It didn’t feel good to trick a guy like this.
The rest of his heart, beating fast in his chest, reminded him that Stacy and Derek were happy to send Eliza to prison in their place.
He didn’t feel so bad.
“I didn’t think she would lie to me, either. It’s bad, man. I know.” Joey raised his hand slowly and placed it on Derek’s shoulder.
Derek buried his face in his hands. “I should’ve seen this coming.”
“There was no way for you to know. But you can turn her in. Let her take the fall.”
Derek sat up, shaking his head. “I can’t. I love her. You don’t get it.”
“She told me she’s going to turn you in today. She said she was going to prove to me that this was all fake.”
His jaw dropped. “There’s no way.”
“That’s what she told me. If she gets to them first, explains her side…” Joey shrugged. “It’s going to be hard for you to convince them she’s lying. She’s an agent, man. They’re going to believe whatever she says.”
Derek sat back against the couch and pulled a cigarette out of his pocket. He lit it, taking a deep drag. “What do I need to do?”
Thirty
Sunlight crept into the office and the warm glow filled Eliza’s eyelids. She stirred under the blanket, pulling it over her chin before yawning and opening her eyes.
Her night in the old recliner had gone by quickly. She’d had no dreams, just darkness and rest. She rose, stretching, and picked up the towel and bag of toiletries her mom had brought the night before. Slipping on her shoes, she headed into the chilled morning air.
Two buildings down from the office were the nearly finished short-stay rooms. She snuck into the first one, her footsteps echoing in the empty space. There was no furniture yet but, according to Joey, the hot water heaters had been replaced the week before and were in working order.
She turned on the shower and stood beneath it until the mirrors fogged with steam.
After getting dressed, she returned to the office and packed her things. There was a text waiting from her mom.
Good morning, sweetheart! I hope you had some rest. Let me know when you’re awake and I’ll come by!
The birds sang and the waves crashed. She wouldn’t be stuck in prison forever. She believed that. She had to.
No need. I’m calling the Chief now. Don’t worry! It’s all going to work out!
She hit send, then immediately called the San Juan County Police non-emergency number. A woman answered.
She took a shaky breath. “Hi. My name is Eliza Dennet and there is a warrant out for my arrest.”
It came out just like she’d practiced.
