Our Sick Inheritance (editing)

Chapter 59 - Catch Me If You Can

For a moment it looked as if Ryan was going to obey when he looked over his shoulder, but thought better of it when he realized he was in the opening of the alleyway's mouth. Ryan took the chance and sprinted forward. Both men followed at a quicker pace causing loose ice to fly up from their shoes. Kyle could feel the cold sting in his lungs and the numbness of his nose but that was about it for the adrenaline rushing through his body kept him warm. It also allowed him to move faster in this weather than he would have been able to otherwise.

As both men entered the dark dank alley, out of the corner of Kyle's eye he saw Officer Tate and Jackson running towards their truck in hope of cutting Ryan off on the other side of the alley. Kyle felt relief but wasn't going to let up. Ryan seemed to increase his speed, so Kyle and Jose had to push harder. Jose was moving right beside Ryan until a cat jumped out of a garbage can from the excitement and knocked the can to the ground in front of Jose. He tripped and flew into the air, then landed on a shoveled pile of snow that had been cleared from the alley road. Kyle stumbled to stop to see if his friend was Ok but saw Jose wave as he was trying to get to his feet. Kyle ran just a bit faster to make up for the second of the time he lost.

Ryan turned into a small open street then into another alley but came up short to a fence. Both men ran up to him with their guns into position, as he was trying to climb it. Kyle yelled for Ryan to put his hands up. Ryan was almost over the fence when Kyle saw the giant Jose grab Ryan by the back of his jacket like a mother cat holding its baby kitten. Jose put Ryan onto the ground and told him to keep his hands out as he cuffed him without effort while he read him his rights. It was obvious that Ryan was no match for the six foot one Mexican built like a linebacker.

Both men had run track all through high school and every weekend until Jose had moved so getting winded wasn't as big of an issue than it could have been. For that, Kyle was grateful. They did take a second, however, to catch their breath for it was the cold freezing air that put a burn on their lungs.

"Please, just wait." Ryan yelled into the hollowness of the snow.

Kyle and Jose quickly lifted Ryan into a standing position. It looked as if Ryan had been crying, for his eyes matched the redness of his face from running in the cold air.

"Why did you run? Kyle asked.

"I know you guys think I killed Jolene. I can't even remember that night well, but I know I woke up at my grandma's still drunk. I was going to get a lawyer with the help of my grandma, but I have been too upset that Jolene is dead, and I was scared you weren't going to listen."

Officer Tate and Jackson pulled up and jumped out of their car. Jose held up a hand.

"I didn't kill her." Ryan said. "I just... I didn't mean it."

Kyle and Jose exchanged looks.

"Officer Tate and Officer Jackson are taking you to the station, so we'll talk there. A storm is moving in now and we may not beat it." Kyle said as Officer Tate put Ryan into the back of their car before they hopped in to take off.

Two inches of snow had formed just in the few minutes they were standing still so Jose and Kyle jogged back to his truck. They were soaking wet by the time they got there. Kyle flipped the heater onto a high setting in the hope to warm up their bones quicker.

"What do you think?" Jose asked.

"I'm not fully sure what to think. It is obvious he is upset but it could have been a crime of passion. He could have used a condom with intentions of planning to hurt her on his way to her house even if he just wanted to scare her."

"Or he didn't do it all and feels guilty." Jose finished.

"Exactly so let's see what he says. When he said he 'didn't mean it' that could be an admission of guilt. I just can't see him overpowering Jolene without more violence, especially during the rape. Fear is what made her do what she was told. Anger would have made her fight more." Kyle said.