chpter 6

Daniel went straight home from Craig’s office. He got a bottle of water out of the fridge and plopped on the sofa, He took a long swig of water and turned the TV on. As he watched sportscenter he stewed over how his so-called friend was reluctant to help him. He usually watched sports news, helped him relax., but this time it wasn’t the case. He channeled surfed for a while before settling on an episode of the classic comedy, “I Love Lucy.”

“F**k it. “ He thought to himself. “I’m going go to that restaurant tomorrow and talk to Cybil.” He continued to watch episodes of “I Love Lucy” until he nodded off.

The next thing Daniel knew he was startled awake. He wasn’t sure what caused it. He sat up, rubbed his eyes out, and went to the bathroom to splash water on his face. His back was aching.

He dragged himself to the door and opened it. He looked down and saw the newspaper lying there. He picked it up.

He looked at the front page. LOCAL REPORTED CHARGED WITH THE MURDER OF HIS GIRLFRIEND. It went on to say that the Modesto bee writer Daniel Ascot is being charged with the murder of his girlfriend Shari. It claims he killed her out of jealousy and that she was leaving him so he stabbed her to death.

Written by Hugh Price.

“Dam it.” He exclaimed to himself. Hugh Price was the man that claimed Shari tried to kiss him right before she set him straight and publically humiliated him.

Then he glanced up to see the back window f his car smashed out. He stood there for a few seconds with his mouth open. “What the Hell” He mumbled to himself.

Daniel went into his bedroom and took the bicycle he stashed in the closet. He kept it for sentimental reasons; it was a birthday gift from his grandfather who died three days later.

Both tires were flat so he hauled it down the steps and carried it to the gas station around the corner.

Once both tires were inflated he hopped on his bicycle and pedaled towards Perko’s Café. He be forgot how free it felt riding a bicycle. He felt like a kid again. He smiled briefly.

He pedaled into the Restaurant”Parking lot and pulled next to the bike rack. He then realized he forgot he didn’t have a padlock or chain. So he hopped back on the bike and headed towards the Walmart Supercenter down the street.

He walked through the door and sat his bicycle along the wall so the greater will watch it. “I’ll be right back.” He said as he hustled through the second entrance door.

“Hey.” The greater shouted but Daniel kept walking.

The memories of the times he went shopping with Shari came flooding back, it sent a mix of joy and sadness into his heart. Every time they went there they always went into the toy department, no matter what they were shopping for. They reminisced and shared stories of their childhoods. He looked slowly at the shelves at new toys, and the toys of old. He smiled when he saw the Legos, and especially the electronic football, game because him and Shari bought one, they played it constantly. Shari always kicked his butt.

He was about to reach for a teddy bear when out of the corner of his left eye he caught a glimpse of someone peering around the corner. He whipped his head around, but no one was there. “Damn, I’m getting paranoid.” He whispered to himself.

Daniel left the toy department and headed to the hardware section where he had five feet of chain cut and picked up a padlock. He walked to the checkout counter and laid the items in front of the cashier. As she punched in the number the associate put on the paper for the chain and scanned the UPC on the padlock she kept glancing at him. Then when he handed her the money and she gave him the change, he could swear she gave him a dirty look.

As he walked away he kept looking back at the cashier to find her looking at him with disdain on her face. She couldn’t know he was the person being wrongly accused of murder; His picture wasn’t in the newspaper’s article.

He was jolted out of his thoughts when he bumped into a man coming in the door,” Watch where you’re going a*****e,” The man shoved Daniel backwards.

“Uh, sorry,” Daniel replied as he turned away and rushed out the door, grabbing his bike along the way. He hopped one and made his way through the parking lot and into the street.

Daniel raced down the sidewalk only, slowing down when he saw cars entering or exiting onto the street. When he finally made it to the Perko’s parking lot. He pulled next to the bike rack and chained his bicycle up. When he stood up he took a moment to catch his breath and calm his nerve before walking towards the restaurant’s doors.

The moment he walked in he saw Cybil wiping down a table. He took a deep breath and walked towards her. “Cybil.” He said meekly.

She turned around with a startled look on her face. “What the hell are you doing here?”

The few people in the restaurant turned to look at them. “Calm down,” Daniel said in a desperate tone.

“Calm down,” Cybil replied harshly. “You better leave before I call the police.” She turned to walk away.

Daniel grabbed her arm. “Please. I’m desperate.”

Cybil yanked her arm out of Daniel’s grip. “Don’t you touch me, Murderer.”

“I did not kill Shari, I swear. Please, I’m trying to figure out who did.”

“Then look in the mirror. Now get out.” Cybil yelled.

Or what? “ Daniel replied defiantly. Are you gonna call your boyfriend Frank over to throw me out?”

“He’s not my boyfriend. And lucky for you, he’s not here right now.” “Can we please talk?” Daniel asked.
“Are you okay ma’am?” The customer in the booth next to them asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” She said facing the customer. “This man was just leaving” She turned and glared at Daniel. “Right?”

Daniel sighed heavily and hung his head. “Right.” He walked out the door like a kid that just got scolded by his parents.

Outside, he unlocked his bike and began to ride away. A minute down the road he heard his phone go off and felt it vibrating. “I can’t come to the phone because I’m being charged with murder.” He said in his head as he pedaled down the road.

When Daniel got home he took the phone out of his pocket and checked his messages. There was only one. His lawyer telling him to call him back, so Daniel did just that.

“Sorry, it’s taken so long to get in touch with you. I know the trial is tomorrow.” Orlando stated.

“Why yes, it is.” Daniel replied sarcastically.

When Orlando didn’t respond Daniel continued. Sorry, sorry. I’m just out of sorts. Did you find Jeremy? Did you talk to him?”

“Slow down Daniel. And yes, I did talk to him. And you’re not gonna like what I’m about to say. But I don’t think he did it.”

“What,” Daniel said loudly. Then in a lower Voice.” And what makes you say that?”

“Look, I’m not saying he is a nice guy. But I don’t get a killer vibe from him.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” There was distain in Daniel’s reply.

There was a moment of silence before Orlando replied. “Calm down. Yes, he is without a doubt scum who talks tough , But I don’t peg him as a killer. He told me he didn’t kill her, and I believe him.”

Daniel didn’t reply. But Orlando could hear him breathing fast.

“Look.” Orlando continued. “What I want to ask is, well you said numerous guys tried to hit on her. But is there anyone specific that she rejected that knew her personally?”

Daniel let out an exasperated sigh.

“Look,” Orlando said with authority. “I am trying to put reasonable doubt in the jurors. In order to do that I need to give them someone else that might have a reason to kill her.”

“Well. Now that you mention it, there is this guy at the paper, Phil Hughes. At an office party a couple of months ago he bragged to his friends. Telling them that Shari tried kissing him, which was a lie. When Shari found out she embarrassed him by calling him a pathetic weasel.”

Wait. “Orlando replied. “Is that the guy that wrote an article about your arrest that was in the paper today?”

“Yeppers.”
“Okay, that’s a start. Anyone else?”

“Well, there is a guard at the bank. I don’t know if he hit on her. But at the party, I think he was working security. There. I saw him give her some dirty looks. It was so creepy that it sent chills up my spine.”

It took a minute for Orlando to respond. He figured he was making a note of what he said.

“Well.” Orlando finally said. “ That is something to go on. “ He paused a moment. “Don’t worry, we will win this. And I know that because I know you’re innocent.”

Daniel had to collect himself so he wouldn’t sob uncontrollably. “Thank you.” He wiped a tear off his cheek.

Before Orlando ended the call Daniel asked him if he could give him a ride. He told him about his rear window being smashed out, Orlando said he’d pick him up at seven-thirty.

Chapter 7 

Reviews

[Corset]

so true to form, guilty until proven innocent as it always seems to go, wow this guy is in a real pickle and only three days to prove he is innocent before the trial starts man that's a speedy judicial system, I'm biting my nails...

[Coyote Poetry]

I am enjoying the story Dale and I will return later tonight and finish. I hope you are doing well my friend. The chapter was amazing.
Coyote

[The Rock And Roll Cowboy(REBEL WITH A CAUSE)]

thank you ever so much. I owe you big time

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend.