Justice(110)
“You were never a prisoner.”
“Nope. I went out when I wanted, in disguise of course. In spite of all that was happening, it was the happiest time of my life. We made love all day, we cooked each other meals, played chess. It was bliss.” She scowls. “But he just wouldn’t listen. I begged him to just leave it all. Chad, the money, Justice didn’t matter anymore, only we did. James couldn’t let Justice win. He was obsessed. The confrontation at the library was the final straw. He came home so enraged even I was afraid of him.” She scoffs. “The one time I went out without a disguise, I was spotted. I told them the story James said for me to tell if either of us was ever caught. See? He went to jail to protect me.”
“And so you helped him murder people?”
“We have both been living in hell these past few years because of Justice. He deserves everything he got.”
“You bankrolled this whole thing. You hired the P.I. to stalk us. You lured me and Cam to the prison that night. You gave him the invitation to get into the engagement party. You used your Cayman account to frame Stu Moore.”
“And a million other things I don’t regret.”
“He raped a woman, Grace. He killed a child.”
“In a war, there is always collateral damage.”
“You really are insane, you know that right?”
She closes her eyes, shaking her head sadly. I push the panic button on my bracelet. “You wouldn’t make that statement if you ever knew true, unabiding love like I have. I would do anything for him, as he would me.”
“So, what? You’re going to shoot me to avenge him?”
“Oh, honey,” she chuckles. “You wish.”
That’s when it dawns on me. “He’s still alive, isn’t he?”
“And so looking forward to seeing you again.”
Someone crashes through the door, jolting us both. Justin rushes in. “Grace—”
Without missing a beat she points and fires the gun twice, hitting Justin in the forehead. I scream as he crumples to the floor. I’m too shocked to move, but she isn’t. “That should buy us about five minutes,” she says, gazing down at my lifeless friend. She holds her huge diamond ring up to her mouth. “My love, plan fucking B.” She grabs me, gun pressed right at my head. She pushes me forward. “Move it.” We step over Justin’s body into his blood and I get a chill. I know he’ll heal, but this is still a bit much. “Open the door,” she says. “Then put your hands back up.”
More guns greet us when we step out. Harry, Geoff, and three other officers dressed in tuxes wait outside the door. Other officers try to corral the rubbernecking party goers, attempting to get them out of the line of fire. “Drop the gun, Grace,” Harry says. “You’re surrounded.”
Grace presses the hot muzzle even harder into my temple. “Don’t think so. You’re going to let me and your dear Joanna make our appointment.”
“Or we could just shoot you right here,” Harry says.
“I wouldn’t advise that. You see, if you touch one hair on my head, James will blow this hospital sky high.” All the men’s faces fall. “Oh, yeah. We’ve planted charges all over. We both do so love a party with a bang!” she shouts that last word and we all flinch. Grace chuckles, causing a shiver down my spine. “So, you have two options. Well, really only one. Joanna comes with me, and you don’t follow. If we see even one cop or Justice in there, kaboom. Got me there, handsome?”
Harry stares at her with utter contempt, gun shaking in his hand. He wants to shoot her, and I think he might. “It’s okay, Harry,” I say. He looks at me now, fear overshadowing his eyes. “Let us go.”
“Listen to your girlfriend, Harry,” Grace says. “For once, an intelligent comment has escaped her lips.”
He looks at me again, eyes begging. There’s nothing he can do and we both know it. He lowers his gun and the others follow suit. “Fine.”
“Got yourself a smart one, Joanna,” she says. “Now back off and we’ll be on our merry way.” She pulls me back and the men part. We walk backwards down the hall past frightened bystanders hugging the walls. Bitsy yelps and crouches down, covering her head as we pass. “Hello, Bitsy. Love to the family.” Bitsy squeals in fright, and Grace chuckles. We reach the elevator and she pushes the button with her elbow. Harry takes a step toward us, but Grace cocks the gun for effect. “Don’t worry, Harry. I promise you’ll get her back.” I feel her body move when she shrugs. “Might be in pieces, but still.” The elevator doors open and she moves us in. “Remember, gents. Kaboom!”