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Shameless
I shutthe front door of the suite louder than intended, but I had to rush out to get to the nearest trashcan. Nothing comes out but a string of saliva as I dry heave into the one by the elevator.
I gag and heave again.
Ugh.
I could never be a doctor. I’d be throwing up all over the place every time I had to deliver bad news.
As I straighten and dab around my lipstick, I notice little Miss Nose Ring is back, watching me in amusement as she balances two trays of Starbucks.
So pleased I could amuse you today.
I fight the urge to flip them over.
On my way out of the hotel I pass a mirror and something gives me pause—a red mark stripes my left cheek. I look closer. Lipstick.
How did…?
Did this happen when I yakked into the trashcan?
I then notice the red stain on a strip of hair, and I remember when I first came in—the revolving door. My hair got stuck in my lipstick, and I tucked it behind my ear.
I sigh.
Fantastic.
The entire time. The entire freaking time I was parading around this hotel, talking to Miss Nose Ring, to Jake, I looked like a half-smiling Joker.
I just want to go home now.
Something that helpswhen I’m nervous about a story going to press: I sit cross-legged on the couch with a mug of steaming green tea and listen to the recorded interview. In this instance, it’s to remind myself I’m not the enemy here. The Mitchells are, and this poor girl, Meaghan Slaughter, deserves her retribution:
Me: Tell me what you remember happening that night. I know it’s been thirteen years, but whatever you can remember.
Meaghan: I remember the wreck. How they swerved into my lane. And then everything went black…
Me: When you say ‘they’, who do you mean?
Meaghan: The kids in the BMW. There were three.
Me: Two in the front seat, one in the back?
Meaghan: Yeah.
Me: Do you remember who they were? I held my breath because I knew this part was important.
Meaghan: I know one of them was Jake Mitchell. His sister, Rose. And Conner, one of their friends. She goes silent, and I remember she hung her head as if to gather some strength.
Me: You okay? Need to take a break? Not that I wanted her to. On my copy of the police report, Jake wasn’t listed as a passenger. It looked as though he wasn’t there at all. I wanted more.
Meaghan: No. I need to do this now.
Me: When you’re ready to continue, then.
Meaghan: It…it was dark. I was coming back from a party at a friend’s house. I remember rain.
Me: Shuffling of papers. Good. That matches the report.
