CHAPTER 7
I went back to the hospital and found Emma sleeping peacefully.
I kissed her forehead and sat down in the chair beside her bed.
Mark had been acting strange for months.
He had been secretive, distant, and irritable.
But I had chalked it up to stress.
I hadn't known about the gambling.
I hadn't known about the debts.
I hadn't known about the propofol.
He had been hiding all of it from me.
Why?
Because he didn't trust me?
Because he didn't want me to know?
Or because he was planning something terrible and didn't want me to stop him?
I didn't have any answers.
But I was going to find them.
---
The next morning, I went to see Mark again.
"Tell me about the gambling," I said.
He looked surprised.
"How did you find out about that?"
"Rachel told me."
"Of course she did."
"Don't blame her. I'm the one who asked."
"Fine. I gamble."
"How much money do you owe?"
"I don't know."
"Don't lie to me."
"I don't know."
"Mark, someone is going to hurt you."
"I know."
"Who is it?"
"I don't know."
"Tell me."
"I don't know."
"Give me a name."
"I don't have a name."
"Then how are you paying them?"
"I don't know."
"You're lying."
"I'm not lying. I really don't know."
"Why did you buy the propofol?"
"I needed something. Something I could sell."
"Sell?"
"Yes. I was going to sell it to someone. Someone who would pay a lot of money for it."
"Who?"
"I don't know."
"Why don't you know?"
"Because I didn't ask."
"You bought propofol without knowing who you were selling it to?"
"Yes."
"That's crazy."
"I know. But I was desperate."
"Mark, you could have killed Emma."
"I know. I know."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I was ashamed."
"Of what?"
"Of everything. Of who I am. Of what I've become."
"You need help."
"I know."
"I can't help you if you don't tell me the truth."
"I know."
"So tell me the truth. Tell me everything."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because if I do, someone will kill me."
"Who?"
"I don't know. But I know they will."
"We can protect you."
"No one can protect me."
"Yes, we can. The police can protect you."
"They can't protect me. No one can."
"What are you so afraid of?"
"Everything."
"Mark, I want to help you. But I can't if you won't let me."
"I know."
"So let me help you."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to lose you."
"You're already losing me."
"I know."
"So tell me the truth."
"I can't."
"Goodbye, Mark."
I walked out of the jail and got back in the car with Detective Miller.
"He says he's afraid for his life," I said.
"Do you believe him?"
"I don't know."
"Does he have any enemies?"
"He says he owes money. He says someone will kill him if he talks."
"Does he have a name?"
"No."
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"Then what are we supposed to do?"
"I don't know."
