Dead Politician Society

Chapter 74: Matthew

Matthew gulped when he saw the sea of orange jumpsuits worn by giants, many of whom had shaved heads, tattoos or both. Poor Jonathan would be eaten alive in there.

“The bull pen,” said the guard as he led Matthew past. “Dunno who you know here, but we got your kid into a private interview room. You’re welcome.”

The guard left them in a small room with no windows.

Matthew took the seat opposite Jonathan. Like the table, both chairs were bolted to the floor.

“I saw Jessica out front,” Matthew said.

Jonathan shrugged one lean shoulder. “She wasn’t here to see me.”

“Not yet.” Matthew knew too well what this felt like from Jessica’s perspective. “But she did you a big favor. You know her grandfather’s a judge here at Old City Hall.”

“So? He finds out I was inside his granddaughter, he’ll make sure to throw the book at me.”

Matthew frowned. “The opposite, in fact. Jessica’s convinced that you’re innocent. He’s the reason we have a private interview room, instead of shouting through a glass barricade at each other.”

Jonathan slouched deeper in his chair. He managed to look relaxed despite the uncomfortable metal design.

“So did you do it?” Matthew asked.

“My lawyer told me not to answer that.”

“Why did you involve Annabel?”

“To get to you, I guess.”

“Why?”

Jonathan snorted. “Because all this is your fault. Do you not know that?”

“I…guess not.” Matthew tried not to show how much the accusation stung. “Can you tell me why it’s my fault? I’m here to help you.”

Jonathan’s eyes were wild. “What on earth could you do to help me?”

“I don’t know. But the class is behind you, too. We’re not going to sit back and watch you hang for this.”

“There’s no death penalty in Canada.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Do I? I mean, thank you. But I committed a crime and I was caught.”

Matthew glanced around for microphones, but of course they would be well hidden if they existed.

“Your lawyer,” Matthew said. “Do you like him?”

“He’s from legal aid. His suit is too tight and he smells like cheap cologne. But he’ll get the job done.”

Matthew felt his head bobbing in a nod. He didn’t know what to say. Nothing made sense about this.

Then Jonathan surprised him with a question. “Can you tell Annabel to come visit?”

“Um, yes. Of course. She wants to come. She’s worried you won’t want to see her because…” Matthew stopped. Maybe Jonathan didn’t know she’d turned him in.

But he was surprised again. Jonathan said, “I wanted her to turn me in. I wanted to scare the hell out of her so she’d call the cops and put an end to all of this.”

“You couldn’t end it yourself? Just…stop killing? Story over?”

“No!” Jonathan stood and gripped the table like his skinny arms could rip it into scrap. “I couldn’t end it myself. That’s my whole fucking point.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand,” Matthew said. “I want to. More than I’ve wanted anything in a long time. Please, Jonathan. Tell me what you mean.”

“Just tell Annabel I still want to write that book with her.”