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But the way he said it. She didn’t like his tone. The casual shrug in his voice. As if he didn’t kill anyone, but it wouldn’t matter if he did.
He grabbed a cookie and chewed, stared out at the street. Sophia willed herself not to cry, but the tears escaped.
“Why was there gun residue in the hoodie you borrowed? Why did Sergio tell the police he killed someone? What do you know, Henry?”
“Shh,” he said, glanced around. “Okay, look, it was an accident. I didn’t do it, I swear to God. Javier said the guy was pulling a gun, and he just reacted, you know? Self-defense.”
“You’re making no sense. You can’t say you shot someone in self-defense when you’re...you’re robbing them.”
“Shut. Up. Do you want to get me in trouble?”
“But why would Sergio protect Javier? You, yes! But you should tell the police the truth, tell them about Javier. He’s bad.”
“He’s my best friend,” Henry said defensively. “He’s always been there for me.”
“You’re saying that Sergio is taking the blame for a murder Javier committed because he’s your best friend? I don’t believe that.”
Henry’s expression darkened. “Look, Sophia, the world is a fucked-up place and you really pissed Javier off when you threatened him.”
“Wh-what?”
“When you left last summer you told his mom that he was in your room. How could you?”
“He was in my room!”
“He got smacked around because Brenda lost money when you left. He likes you, Sissy. You act like you’re better than everyone. You should be happy that a guy like Javier wants to take care of you.”
None of this made sense. Henry had changed to the point where she didn’t even recognize him.
“I’m thirteen. I don’t want a boyfriend, and I don’t want Javier in my life. He scares me.”
“And he promised to leave you alone as long as Sergio didn’t tell the police about the robbery. And Sergio didn’t. I didn’t know he was going to tell the police he actually whacked the guy.”
Sophia couldn’t believe the words coming from Henry. She loved her brother...but he was scaring her almost as much as Javier.
“Sergio thinks he’s doing this for you,” she said. “For you, Henry, because he loves you. He’s giving up his whole life for you.”
“No, he’s doing it for you. He wouldn’t lift a finger to help me. He doesn’t care. He doesn’t listen! And besides, he didn’t do it so he won’t be convicted.”
“He confessed. He’s going to plea!”
“That’s on him then.”
“You have to tell the truth,” she begged. “Go to the police and tell the truth. That Javier killed—”
Henry grabbed her by the arms so quickly that she stifled a scream, cowered by the look of rage on his face. This wasn’t her brother. Someone had taken her good, kind brother and turned him into a monster.
“Shut up! We’re protecting you. And you’re being an ungrateful little bitch.”
He pushed so hard she fell off the chair. He took the plate of snacks and threw it to the ground where it broke. Then he left.
Mrs. Edgar came out and helped Sophia to her feet. “Honey, what happened?” Mrs. Edgar was a kind person, but right now she sounded angry. “Did your brother do this?”
Sophia didn’t know what to say, what to do, who to trust. She nodded and cried. Mrs. Edgar hugged her tightly. “Oh, baby, I’m sorry. You need to tell me what happened.”
“I can’t.”
Mrs. Edgar put her at arm’s length and said, “He hurt you. I don’t know why. He has always been a polite young man, until recently. The last few weeks I’ve seen a change. I know you have, as well.”
