Addison sat behind her desk, taking notes, while I went over everything that had happened with my new lawyer.
“Did they do a gunshot residue test on you?” she asked me.
“No. Fucking dick.”
She nodded to her assistant, a young guy who looked to be in his early twenties. “Make sure the state police does one.”
Addison sat forward in her chair. “State police?”
Olivia smiled like the Cheshire cat. “You’re not the only one with connections.” She turned to me. “On the drive here, I took a look at your old case. Your court-appointed attorney was subpar, but he kept excellent records. Anyone can tell by the surveillance video that it wasn’t you in the gas station.” She tilted her head to the side. “What is it with you and people borrowing your stuff to commit crimes?”
I laughed because it was better than getting pissed. “I don’t know.”
I did know though. My brother, under the influence of alcohol, had borrowed my stuff like an idiot. He hadn’t set out to make it look like it was me, but his drunk brain was only thinking about himself. This time, someone had set out to make me look guilty.
“Well, it’s obvious the sheriff is biased, so I called in someone who isn’t affiliated with this town or its history. We need fresh, objective eyes. Even with the video from the gas station and Addison alibiing you, the sheriff never looked at anyone else for the crime.”
My eyes quickly went to Addison, who was nodding.
“When I went in and told the sheriff that I was with Maddox that night, I could tell that he wasn’t listening to me. I can’t believe he keeps getting elected.”
“That’s what happens when no one runs against you,” Olivia said. “At least, that’s the info I got online.”
“No, it’s true. No one wants to do that kind of job anymore. They all want the big-city life.” Addison looked over at me. “Maddox, are you okay? You look a little pale.”
While the two women had been discussing the sheriff, I was stuck on Addison talking about how she’d alibied me.
I looked at Olivia. “Can you excuse us a moment?”
She hesitated. “Anything you say to Addison, you really should say to me. While Addison will be working on this case with me, I’m going to be first chair at your trial if this case comes to that.”
I shook my head. “I don’t need to talk to her as my lawyer. I need to talk to her as my woman.”
A knowing look passed over her eyes. “Ah. Okay. Derek?” she said to her assistant. “Let’s go find something for lunch.” The two of them stood. “We’ll be back in thirty minutes.”
I nodded, and the two walked out the door.
I got up from my chair as soon as I heard the click of the latch being closed, and Addison did the same. We met on the side of her desk.
“What’s wrong?”
I clutched her hands in mine. “I have a question. No matter what, I won’t be mad at how you answer. I just need to know the truth.”
She looked worried, and I supposed I was scaring her with my intensity. But this was important.
“Okay.”
“Twelve years ago…” I closed my eyes and swallowed. I opened them and asked, “Twelve years ago, you told the sheriff you were with me the night of the robbery?”
Her eyes filled with confusion and sympathy. “Of course I did, Maddox.”
“But you never came to my trial.”
“I didn’t even know you had one. I went to visit my mom’s parents, and when I got back, it was over, and you were gone.” She shrugged. “I’d always thought your lawyer would make me come in and testify. After I started law school, I wondered why I was never subpoenaed.”
I let go of her hands and shoved my fingers through my hair. Things were starting to fall into place. “I asked my lawyer not to subpoena you. I asked him to give you the option to testify. I wanted you to make the choice on your own. I didn’t want to make you do anything.” I thought my eighteen-year-old self had wanted to know that I was worth it for her to go against her father.
“I don’t understand. Your lawyer never even asked me. I would have remembered.”
“No, he did. He personally delivered a notice of appearance to your dad.”
Fire lit her eyes. “Are you fucking serious?”
“That’s what I was told.”
She kicked the side of her desk. “That motherfucking asshole!”
Whoa.
I actually took a step back.
Her eyes narrowed. “He told me my grandma was sick. I’d thought it was odd because, when I got there, she seemed fine.” She collapsed to the floor and put her head in her hands. “I can’t believe him.” She started to cry.
I sat down next to her and pulled her into my arms. “Shh. Baby, it’s okay.”
“No, it’s not.” She pulled out of my embrace and looked at me. “All these years…you thought I’d left you hanging out to dry, didn’t you?”
I didn’t want to say yes. She looked so heartbroken.
“You did. I can see it in your eyes.” She swiped the back of her hand over her cheek. “I wondered why you were so mad at me when you came back to town.” She laughed, but it was completely without humor. “I was so angry with you. I never stopped to really think about what had happened all those years ago.”
I furrowed my brows. “You were angry with me?”
She laughed at me. “Yes. I loved you, Maddox. With all my heart. I was devastated when I never saw you again. I did everything I could to find you. But you had a closed trial, and the proceedings were sealed along with your record. I couldn’t find any record of you in any prison. Then, I found out you’d been freed and in the military the whole time. I was very hurt.” She looked down at her hands. “I never quite got over you. You were my first love. You were even the reason I became a lawyer. I kind of feel like my adult life has been a lie.”
I picked up her hand and laced our fingers together. “I know you said a lot of stuff right now, but I’m kind of stuck on the you loved me part.”
She laid her head on my shoulder. “It’s not a surprise. I told you that I loved you back then.”
I brushed my thumb over her hand, staring at the place we were connected. “I think it’s the past-tense part. I don’t want you to have loved me. I want you to love me. Now.”
Addison lifted her head and laughed. “You big dummy. Of course I love you.”
Forty-Three
Addison
“Well”—Maddox raised his eyebrows—“it’s not every day I get called a dummy and someone professes their love to me, all in the same sentence.”
I snort-giggled. “I’m sorry. I’m a little emotional right now. I’ve just found out my father is the world’s biggest asshole.”
“Ah, baby,” he said as he put his arm around me. “You deserve a better father. And you deserve better than me. I should have reached out to you over the years.”
I sniffled. “Yes, you should have,” I joked.
“I was just so…” He sighed. “I felt betrayed. I felt like…like I wasn’t enough.”