Slipping Away

Chapter 3

August 4th, 1993

Mariah's jaw dropped as all eyes reverted to Jordan. Michael was shaking beside her but she couldn't tell if it was from shock or rage. She could hear Pellicano's pencil lead snap and she held her breath waiting for the end of the sick joke Evan was playing, but there wasn't one.

Evan looked Michael in the eyes. "My son told me what you did. That you touched his penis and kissed him, right Jordie?"

Jordan nodded. "Yeah, dad."

Mariah felt her blood run cold, the boy had no inclination of guilt or anything that would indicate that Evan was putting him up to it. For all of her misgivings about the Chandlers, she had never thought they were a family of sociopaths.

"I didn't do anything." Michael said.

Evan continued smiling. "Michael, Michael we can make this easy for you. Your investigator talked to my lawyer a few days ago and told him that you would help us start up a screenwriting career so Jordie and I can get closer."

"I made no such offer." Pellicano retorted.

Evan leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs. "How about this? You give us twenty million and we don't go to the cops."

Mariah felt her stomach churning as she desperately glanced at Michael and Pellicano. Michael brought himself up to his full height and glanced at Pellicano.

Pellicano shook his head. "We're not giving you anything. Michael is innocent and both of you know it."

"So Mariah-"

"Don't talk to her," Michael growled, startling her.

Evan raised an eyebrow. "Why not? She knows everything, you won't let her talk because she saw you."

"There was nothing for her to see." Michael replied calmly. "Leave her out of this."

Evan played innocent. "Why?"

"What do you want from me?" Mariah asked.

Michael shook his head. "You don't have to answer-"

"Let her speak," Pellicano advised.

Evan nodded. "I was just going to say I was surprised to see you here today, after all that you've been through dealing with that monster. I see he still has control over you, June too."

"Why are you doing this?" She asked.

Evan laughed. "I told you why, he thinks he can just- you remember what I told you in confidence."

Mariah nodded. "You're right, you told me."

Evan turned back to Michael. "I'm sure we can come to a deal."

"I'm not making a deal with you." Pellicano retorted.

Evan kept his eyes on Michael. "Michael, if you don't do this-"

"I'm not going to let you bully me into giving you money over lies. This is extortion." Michael said.

Mariah marveled at his composure, she was seething inside and she wasn't even the one being accused. 

Evan had no response for Michael and Mariah knew why,  he thought he would get over on Michael with Jordan sitting right in front of him claiming his guilt.

Michael stood up. "I think this meeting is over."

"I will destroy you." Evan promised.

August 6th, 1993

Michael was trembling as he downed three painkillers. He had no clue what he was going to do. He was innocent, but if Evan really wanted to go public with the allegations it wouldn't matter if a court found him innocent, there would always be a shadow of doubt about his character. 

He was having trouble sleeping again and had half a mind to call Mariah into the house, but something stopped him. Too much had been said, too much had been done and he figured it would be best to keep his distance. 

He also didn't want her to see him while he was under the influence of the painkillers, they made him act differently and he didn't want her to get the wrong idea. 

Leaning back on the pillows, he wondered what he could do to get Evan off his back without giving him a payday. 

Mariah had tried to warn him, but he didn't listen to her. He had assumed she was jealous, but she had only been looking out for him. Though his head was starting to feel fuzzy from the affects of the pills, but he still couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of stupidity that he felt.

"Michael?"

He looked up from his book and Mariah looked down at the ground. "I just wanted to check on you. How are you doing with all of this?"

"Wouldn't be the first someone tried to extort me." He chuckled weakly. "I'm doing fine."

She frowned. "No you're not, I know you."

He sighed. "Well, no I feel betrayed. You know I never touched that kid." 

"I was with you every time they came around." She crossed the room to join him on the couch. "I know you wouldn't do that, you like women too much."

He laughed. "That I do, I just...I don't understand."

"I do. He's jealous of you-"

"I get Evan, but why Jordie?" He asked.

Mariah frowned. "Evan has him under his control, he's being coached on what to say. Remember, Evan said he was rehearsing on those tapes. Why wouldn't he put his son through the same routine? Can't risk him saying something that puts it all in jeopardy."

Her reasoning made sense, but it did little to put his mind at ease. "Why go through with it though?"

She hesitated before reaching over to squeeze his hand. "He might not have a choice, for all you know his tune might change once he's back with June."

He was surprised to see that Mariah wasn't accusing June of being in on the whole plan or saying "I told you so"

"You warned me-"

"Well, we're here now so we just have to find a way out." She said.

He shook his head. "This has nothing to do with you, I'm not going to drag you down with me."

"And I'm not gonna let you get taken down. Just because we're not together doesn't mean I don't love you and won't defend you if I have to." She said, before covering her mouth. "I'm gonna go."

She got up from the couch and hurried towards the door.

"Wait, Mariah."

She turned around and looked back. "Yeah?"

"Thanks for being there for me."

She allowed a small smile to grace her lips. "Anytime you need a friend."