In Times of Trouble (26 page)

“Hey, Lisa. I'm so glad you answered the phone. We really need to talk.”

“I don't have anything nice to say to you.”

“I know you're upset, but we need to clear the air.”

“I don't understand how you could look me in my face, knowing how worried I was about Chanelle and not tell me that you'd taken her to get an abortion.”

“Do you think I liked lying to you? I know this is hard for your family, but you have to realize it's hard on mine, too. Lisa, we've been too close to let our friendship be destroyed by this. Will you please come by after work so we can talk? I'm hoping we can mend some bridges.”

“I can't come over after work; I want to get home and be with Chanelle.”

“Then leave work early and come.”

Lisa mulled the idea over a few seconds. “I guess I can do that. Give me about an hour or so and I'll be over.”

Lisa could have walked out of her office and been within ten feet of Megan's desk, but she called her on the intercom instead. “Hey, Meg. . .”

“Yes?”

“Olivia called and asked me to meet her. I know I was gone all last week; do you think you can handle things or do you need me to stay?”

“No, go ahead. I'm sure Mrs. Scott needs you with everything that's going on. I'll be fine.”

“Thanks, Meg, you're the greatest.”

Before leaving, Lisa also called Detective Evans. “Don't go,” he warned her. “I understand that the two of you had a close friendship prior to this, but there's clearly a conflict of interest. Justin has given a sworn statement saying that he's never touched Chanelle. He's denied our request to voluntarily give a DNA sample, so we have to get a court order to obtain it. Chanelle's clothing is awaiting processing for anything that will link to Justin. The more he denies having had sex with her, the better it will be for our case. It's not a good idea for you to talk to anyone—especially his mother—while we're in the middle of an investigation.”

• • •

Lisa did not heed Detective Evans's advice and headed to Olivia's suburban home in Delaware County. Mending her friendship with Olivia was not her main concern, but after all they had shared over the years, Lisa felt obligated to at least hear her out. She felt partly responsible for Liv not believing Chanelle was raped. Lisa had been the sole culprit in planting her daughter as a bad seed in Olivia's head. It was logical that Olivia would believe Justin over Chanelle since he had always been the “good boy.” Lisa could understand that. What she didn't understand is how Liv could secretly try to terminate Chanelle's pregnancy.

Walking up to the brick sidewalk, Lisa quickly took a trip down memory lane, thinking about the many occasions when she had visited the Scotts' home. With Isaac traveling a lot and Justin gone most times, she and Liv often hung out like schoolgirls, engaging in sleepovers and good old-fashioned fun. Part of Lisa mourned their friendship, realizing that no matter what happened with the case against Justin, things between her and Liv would likely never be the same.

“Thanks for coming by.” Olivia reached out to hug her and Lisa stiffly returned the gesture. Though there were small lines of tension creased in her forehead, Liv seemed to be in good spirits.

“Come sit out back.” She followed Olivia to the back patio and they sat at the table. Lisa's mind quickly went back to Memorial Day when she and Isaac sat out here and he'd told her about the surprise engagement party Liv had thrown for Eric and her. Things were so different then. Liv had been more than a best friend; she had been like her sister, but now, she wasn't someone that Lisa could trust any longer. “I know how much you love half and halfs, so here's some lemonade-iced tea.”

“So what did you want to talk about?” she asked, giving in to the invitation for a drink and treat. Liv hadn't done a bad job making Lisa's favorite drink and the brownies smelled way too pleasant to pass up no matter how mad Lisa was.

“I want to talk about everything that has happened. The police questioned Justin about Chanelle's allegations.”

The brownies tasted just as good, if not better, than they smelled. Lisa finished her bite before responding. “I know. . .I spoke with the detective right before coming over.”

“So you know this thing is very serious. Justin may be suspended from playing football this season. This could be bad for him if it's dragged out much longer.”

Lisa took the liberty and got another brownie. “I know, Liv, but it's out of our hands. I wish to God this had never happened.”

“Me, too. There's a lot at stake here, but there's a way we can work it out. It's not completely out of our hands, you know?”

“I'm not sure what you mean.”

“Well, between you and me, how much would it take for Chanelle to change her story?”

Lisa nearly choked on the treat. “You can't be serious? You
think you can pay us off and make this all go away? Justin committed a crime and, like it or not, he will pay. That's non-negotiable.”

Olivia's grin turned evil. “In this world, everything is negotiable. I really like you, Lisa, and it's unfortunate that something like this has come between us. I can't allow your daughter to ruin my son's future. Before you walk away from the offer, think about it. Isaac and I are prepared to pay you any amount. We'll take care of Chanelle's college tuition, pay off your mortgage, anything you desire; name your price. This is the one opportunity you have to get anything you want in life.”

“What I want is my daughter's rapist to be punished. No amount of money is going to change my mind about that. This conversation is over.” She stood up so forcefully that the chair she was sitting in fell over.

“Not so fast. . .” Liv quickly got up and blocked her path as she headed for the door, grabbing her by the arm. “I'd advise you to take the money and have Chanelle drop this thing.”

“This
thing?
” Lisa jerked away. “That's what you're calling it. Your son raped my daughter and you're calling it a thing
?
It's a crime and I'm quite shocked that you're not more appalled by it.”

She laughed wickedly. “Yes, rape is a crime, Lisa, but Justin never raped her. In fact, he never so much as touched her at all. It's his word against hers. Now who do you think a jury is more likely to believe, a college football star with an impeccable record or a rebellious teenager who has been giving you one problem after another? I'm sure somewhere the police have a record of bringing Chanelle home drunk.”

“That has nothing to do with your son violating her!”

“All I'm saying is drop it.”

“If you're so confident that Justin is innocent and will be cleared, then why are you trying to pay me off?”

“Because it's a nuisance to have to go through this process.” Liv retreated back to her seat while Lisa continued standing. “It's a waste of everyone's time. We have more important things to do. These allegations, though they are false, can ruin my son's life. As his mother, I can't sit back and let that happen. A mother will do anything to protect her child.”

Olivia's words hit Lisa like a two-ton truck.
“A mother will do anything to protect her child.”
That's the same line Olivia had spoon-fed Lisa when she talked her into confronting Stacie. Lisa thought it was good advice back then; now it seemed devilish.

“The good thing about all of this is that Justin is a junior. If he's suspended because of Chanelle's absurdities, he'll still have a chance to play his senior year. Honestly, he doesn't need this shadow hanging over his head. It will be much easier on us all if she drops these ridiculous allegations.”

“The only thing that's being dropped is this conversation. We're through!” Lisa started to the door once again when suddenly she began to itch very badly. It was as if a swarm of invisible mosquitoes had attacked her.

At first Lisa thought it was her nerves until Olivia said, “Are you feeling okay? I hope you're not having an allergic reaction to anything around here. . .say, like the brownies.”

Lisa halted dead in her tracks and stared in disbelief at her former friend. “You put peanuts in those, didn't you?”

“Only a cup or two. . .I ground them really fine so that they couldn't be detected, then I added M&M's to mask the taste. I had a feeling that you'd be too righteous to accept my offer, so I wanted to know that I mean business. . .I will not allow my son to go down without a fight.”

“How could you? You know I'm allergic to peanuts.”

“Do I?” She pretended to be shocked, placing her hand over her chest as if hearing this for the first time.

“Liv, we've been friends for years. You, of all people, know that I can't have any products with peanuts in it! You did this on purpose!”

“Prove it. Hypothetically speaking, say I did know and I purposely put peanuts in the brownies. You would claim that during our numerous conversations, you told me of your allergy. The problem is that in a court of law there would be no evidence to support this theory. You have to remember, my husband makes his living as a defense attorney. If you can't prove it, I didn't do it. The wonderful thing about the justice system is that the burden of proof lies with the accuser. You say I knew, I say I didn't. It's your word against mine, just like it's Justin's word against Chanelle's.”

Lisa took a few steps closer to Olivia who was now standing again and glared straight into her eyes. “You think you're so clever, don't you? You thought you could hide Justin's crime by taking Chanelle to the clinic to have an abortion.”

“Did I?”

Lisa was doubly agitated by the smug grin on Olivia's face. “There is proof that Justin raped Chanelle. DNA doesn't lie. I'm sure you know that, which is why Justin won't voluntarily give a sample. That's okay, though. Eventually the police will get what they need, especially since Chanelle is still carrying his baby; I know a paternity test will discredit anything Justin has said.” Lisa would have given money for an instant replay of Olivia's prideful grin turning sour. She had never seen her sweat under pressure and quite frankly, Lisa got a sense of satisfaction about having one up on her. “Now who do you think the jury will believe?” As the look of horror rested over Olivia, Lisa gave her own wicked smile and left.

L
isa managed to hold it together like a lioness while in front of Olivia, but as soon as she made it to the rehabilitation center where RJ worked, she broke down. Inside RJ's closed office she cried hysterically as she told him about what had happened with Olivia.

“I messed up everything,” she sobbed into his chest.

“Shh! It's okay. I'm going to see if I can find you some allergy medication and then we need to call and let Detective Evans know what happened.”

RJ left the room and Lisa lay there, thinking about her daughter and how strong Chanelle had been during the weeks she had been away from home. Chanelle had even continued planning to attend college when classes started in a few weeks. The only difference is that Chanelle would stay at home instead of living on campus now. Lisa was so proud of her daughter for persevering, despite the circumstances. Lisa had promised Chanelle that justice would be served. How could she tell her that she had obstructed it?

Lisa itched uncontrollably while waiting for RJ to return. Her eyes roamed his office. This was her first time being inside there.
His walls were decorated with biblical scriptures and pictures of Chanelle and her. It wasn't creepy like Eric's office has been. Lisa felt flattered and got the sense that both she and Chanelle were important to him. Lisa was surprised by the newspaper clipping that hung among the family photographs. It was a photo from the night they had gotten arrested. The clipping showed RJ being escorted out of the drug house in handcuffs and his boxers. RJ had framed the picture and wrote Genesis 50:20 across it. Lisa couldn't think of the scripture off hand, but she made a mental note to look it up later.

“I found some medicine for you.” RJ walked in, carrying the medicine and a cup of water. “I also spoke with Detective Evans. He'll be here in a few minutes.”

“Thank you. I'm sorry to come barging in like this. I know you have a lot of stuff to do. I didn't know what else to do.”

“It's okay.” He was gentle in assisting her as she swallowed the pills. “I have a great staff that, honestly, does the bulk of the work. I'm just the overseer.”

“You're not
just
the overseer. You run the place, Mr. Director.”

RJ shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. “The title itself isn't important to me. I'm at a point where I realize that the only ones impressed with titles are people. When I get to Heaven, if anything, the only title Jesus will have for me is servant. I used to be caught up in doing and being what everyone else expected me to be, but now my top priorities are fulfilling my God-given purpose and being there for my family.”