Soul Mate (The Mating Series) (20 page)

CHAPTER 8

I waited for Cho to arrive before I called the police. An officer responded
, took a report, bagged the flyer for evidence, and left. Cho stayed. He paced with a notepad. “Go over it again.” He said.

I sighed and listed my activities.
“I went to Mary House, got my car and came home,” I said.

Cho
stopped and rubbed the back of his neck. “How long were you gone?”

I sat across the couch with my feet up.
“Twenty minutes max.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. Cho roamed the living room in circles. It made me dizzy.

“
You’re staying at Jimmy’s tonight,” he said.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine.” Cho leaned down to my face. “You’re being watched.”

“I’m not staying at the condo until Jimmy is free.”

“Why?” Cho asked. “There’s plenty of room. Jimmy won’t mind.”

“I don’t have my stuff together.”

“I’ll wait while you pack a bag.” Cho didn’t get it. Something about him bothered me. He reminded me of my father and it vexed me. They both had a strong presence. Like Cho, Dad was never cruel, but he intimidated me. Both men had a biting stare. As a child, my dad would make me cry without a word. Cho had that same frightening look. The eyes caused it. They both had almost black irises. It unnerved me.

Mom stayed invisible until the cop left. She
materialized beside me. “Maybe you should go,” she said.

“I don’t need to leave.” I said to Mom. Cho stopped his march
across the room and watched my exchange. He flashed those eyes at me.
That’s why I don’t want to stay with you!

“Why are you being so stubborn?” Mom asked.

“Can you give me a minute alone?” I asked Cho.

Cho looked between me and the empty space where Mom s
at. He detected her presence. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes. “I need a smoke anyway,” he said. I expected Cho to smoke on the balcony, but he went out the front door. I heard him thunder down the stairs. Once Cho was out of ear shot, I said, “Mom, I don’t want to be alone with
him.
”

“I know he’s an ass, but you’ll be safer with him than alone
.”

“No way!” I said. “I’ll take my chances.”

“Cassie, don’t let Jimmy’s brother bully you. Stand up to him,” Mom said. “Your safety is more important.”

“I’
ll be fine tonight. Tomorrow I’ll make other arrangements, but I’m not staying alone with Cho.”

Cho huffed through the door.
“Are you coming with me or not?” He reeked of smoke.
Ugh!

“No.”

“I’m too tired to argue,” he said. “If something happens in the night, don’t call me.”

I folded my arms.
“I won’t.”

“Look, it doesn’t matter to me, but if something happens to you,
it will break Jimmy’s heart.”

I
remained affixed to the couch. “The guilt trip won’t work,” I said, firmly. Cho left and slammed the door behind him. A bang sounded on the wall.
Great!
Now, Mr. Johnson would complain. At this rate I would be evicted by the end of the week.

Cho
left his legal pad on the coffee table. I picked it up and read his notes. I couldn’t decipher much. I picked out words like,
threatening letter, absolves Jimmy,
and
suspect following Cassandra.
I pitched the note pad across the room. I announced, “I’m going to bed.” I locked the door and pulled the chain across. The chain wouldn’t stop anyone, but it made me feel safer. I headed to bed.

I woke in the morning in a good mood.
I slept sound all night. I didn’t even get up to use the bathroom. I felt refreshed. My day started out hopeful. I prayed Jimmy would be home by dinner. I made myself a cup of coffee and a piece of toast. I had several hours to kill before his arraignment.

My mood turned
with a call from the Mary House board. They wanted me to come in and discuss the status of the program. The director hinted at my termination, but didn’t come right out and say it. Mary assured that, in the event of her death, all assets would be liquidated for the continuation of the program. Since Mary didn’t have any living kin, the board made funeral arrangements for Wednesday. The meeting would occur immediately after Mary’s funeral.

I read
the morning paper and stressed over my job. Ben called. He asked to come over and record a statement. “I have been advised not to make any statements without counsel present,” I said.

“Then arrange for your attorney to be at your
place in an hour,” Ben said, irritated.

“I don’t know if I can.”
Cho left in a huff and probably wouldn’t show up.

Ben threatened
, “Either that, or you’re coming in for questioning.”

“You can stop with the threats
,” I said, angrily.

“Arrange it
,” Ben said. “This is serious Cassandra.”

“I know it is, but I have other things going on today.”

I reluctantly called Cho to eat crow. I assumed Cho would decline. He had more pressing issues on his plate than me.

“I guess you lived through the night
,” Cho said. “What do you need?”

“Detective King is coming over to take a statement. He insists
you’re present,” I said.

“Am I your attorney?” Cho asked.

“I thought you were.”

“I charge
a seven hundred dollar retainer up front and two hundred-fifty an hour,” Cho said.

“I can’t afford your fees
,” I huffed. “Never mind. I’ll take my chances alone.” I started to hang up the phone.

“Hold on
,” Cho said. “I don’t expected payment, but I want you to understand how much legal fees are.” I heard the flick of a lighter. Cho inhaled and said, “Am I still your attorney?”

“I guess
.”

“Are you going to take my advice from now on?”

I sighed. “Yes.”

“If Jimmy doesn’t make bail today, will you promise to find another place to stay, either at the condo or somewhere else?”

I groaned. “Yes.”

“What time do I have to be there?”

“He’ll be here in an hour,” I said. “I understand if you need to prepare for court. I can figure something else out.”

“
Don’t worry about it,” Cho said. “I’m not appearing on Jimmy’s behalf. I’m not licensed here. I had to turn it over to Jay Huber,” he said. “Besides, I need to make sure you don’t say anything to hurt Jimmy’s case.”

Cho arrived faster than I expected.
We crowded in the living room. I still hadn’t vacuumed, but the house was at least clean. Ben sat in the green chair; Cho and I were seated on the each end of the couch, with Mom between us. Occasionally, I noticed Cho looking in the direction of Mom. He couldn’t see her, but he sensed the dense moist air between us.

“It’
s blood,” Ben said, leaning forward in the chair.

“Who’s blood?” I asked.

“We don’t know yet,” Ben said. He absently flipped through a small note book. Ben refused to look at me.
Another man angry with me.
How could I be with anyone besides Jimmy? I had a way of pissing men off.

“This absolves Jimmy Kim of suspicion
,” Cho said.

“It doesn’t
,” Ben said, flatly. “I wish it did, but anyone could have stuck that flyer in Cassandra’s door.”

“If the blood comes
back to one of the victims, it most certainly absolves my client.”

“
Your brother
,” Ben corrected. “He’s not your client, Mr. Kim.” Cho glared at him. “It will raise some doubt, yes, but it doesn’t explain why your brother was found standing over Ms. Lazarus’ body.”

Cho folded his arms and crossed his legs.
“I’m not at liberty to discuss that with you,” Cho said, defiantly.

“
I’m not at liberty to discuss your brother’s case with you,” Ben countered.

“Clearly, Cassandra has been targeted by the killer. If you continue to pursue my brother, her life may be in jeopardy
,” Cho said.

“We’
re investigating the intrusion and the flyer,” Ben said. “I can’t say if they are related.”

“Do you think this is related?
” I asked.

“I can’t make assumptions
,” Ben answered, curtly. His body language said that he wanted to tell me something, but he wouldn’t in front of Cho. If I talked to Ben with representation, he wouldn’t tell me what he knew. If I approached Ben alone, he could use anything I said against me or worse, Jimmy. The situation confused me. I was stuck in the chess game between the two men, Ben’s move, and Cho’s move. Cho had an agenda, and it wasn’t necessarily to my benefit, but my well-being worried Ben.

“I know you can’t divulge i
nformation about your case, but do you think I am in danger?” I asked.

“Yes, I do
,” Ben said, frankly.

“Ms. Williams will not be staying in this apartment from now on
,” Cho said.
Shut up Cho!
He inadvertently told my mom. I hadn’t mentioned it to her. She disappeared after Cho left the night before.

“What?” Mom asked
.

I explained to Mom without talking directly to her.
“I’ll be staying with a friend, temporarily.”

“What friend?” I couldn’t answer her. “Cho?” Mom asked. I slightly shook my head indicating no. “Then who?” 

“Later,” I coughed, trying to shut Mom up.

“Where?” Ben asked
, and then added “If we need to contact you.”

“You can contact Ms. Williams via cell phone or through J
ay Huber at Huber and Associates,” Cho answered. He sat stiffly. Cho was a formidable attorney. He liked to intimidate people.

“Why are you being so cryptic?” Mom demanded. I turned pleading with my eyes. I needed her to shut up. Cho looked at me quizzically. He didn’t understand that I
looked at Mom, not him.
What?
Cho mouthed.

“Nothing
,” I said.

“Am I missing something?” Ben inquired of the exchange.

“No,” I said. They were all missing something; the 1980-something flight attendant sitting next to me.

“
You’re acting strange Cassandra,” Ben said. “This is the type of behavior that makes you and your boyfriend appear culpable.”

“Okay, you got me
,” I said and leaned close to Ben. “I see dead people. There is one sitting next to me, talking to me.”

“Cassie
,” Mom said and placed a finger over her mouth in a shut-up gesture.

“What?
I’m sick of pretending you aren’t there,” I said to Mom. To Ben and Cho, I spoke to myself.

Cho choked and began coughing. He
tried to quiet me. Ben glared at me with malice. “Do you think this is a game?” Cho continued to cough. His face began to turn red.
Is he alright?

“No, you want to know what
I’m hiding. This is it. I knew you’d think I was crazy, so I’ve kept it quiet,” I said

“I’
m not demonstrating my existence to him,” Mom said. “You’re on your own.”

“Ms. Williams is tired and irritable.” Cho finally managed to say.
He wasn’t coughing. He was laughing.

“This is ridiculous
,” Ben said. “I’m trying to help you.”

Ben, Cho, and Mom
spoke over each other. I got up and sauntered out, sick of all of them. I had things to do, and if Ben wanted to fling accusations, I was finished talking. Cho could handle him. I went to the bathroom. I slammed the door, and began to run the shower. I thought Mom would appear, but she didn’t. I began to undress. When I heard the front door bang shut, I draped a towel around myself and crept down the hall. I nearly ran into Cho.
     “What happened to following my advice?” Cho asked, studying my form.