Desperado

Chapter Thirteen

The Outsiders

"That was the last day you saw him?" Sheriff Keller asks Polly.

"At Pop's when he told me the plan, that he was gonna fake his own death, and then we would meet up. But, before that could happen, my mom and dad sent me away."

My eyes glance up toward my mom who I was sitting across from. She glances at me before looking me over. For some reason, I think she's trying to figure me out. Since my statement about dad, she has done nothing but try to figure out why I said that. It is true though. I was onto dad then but I knew for sure after he bailed me out.

"One of Jason's teammates said that before he ran away, Jason was dealing drugs."

"Making a one-time delivery. He needed... we needed money. To get away and to start over." Polly informs Keller.

"So... Riverdale's star football player becomes a drug mule?"

'That's a rude saying.' I thought annoyed.

"He went to a bar on the other side of the tracks and made a deal with some biker gang."

'Shit.' I look toward Polly shifting slightly.

"The Serpents?"

"He got an address upstate, where he was supposed to deliver the drugs in exchange for cash."

"The drugs you found in Jason's car..."

"Yeah."

"That went up in flames."

"Along with everything I had left of Jason, including the ring his nana gave me, which he was keeping until-" Polly was about to start crying adding stress to her and her child.

"Alright, Sheriff, I think that's enough for today." I tell him standing up.

My mom stands rubbing Keller's shoulder. "I think Polly needs her rest."

"Well, I'll be in touch, ladies."

"I'll show you out." I tell him and walk off as he replies with a simple thank you.

I look back seeing my mom going toward the kitchens. I walk Keller down outside and he turns to me. "When you mentioned Jughead the other day... I'm sorry if anyone is giving you hell here."

"Hey, it's Riverdale. Shit happens. You shouldn't have accused Jug of anything. He's a good kid."

"Yeah... I know. It just didn't seem-"

"With all the evidence against him you just assumed it was him. That may be how the law works... I wouldn't do it. Start with justice."

He nods and touches my shoulder. "I know it's a rough time with your dad and everything. If you ever need anything just let me know."

"I will." I tell him and he turns going to his cop car.

I watch as he leaves before lighting a cigarette to not think about things. I sit down on the steps blowing out the smoke after taking a drag. The door opens behind me and I turn my head. My mom walks beside me sitting down herself. I don't bother to hide the fact I'm smoking. I flick the ash away as I blow the smoke away from her.

"How long?"

"How long what?" I asked turning my head to her.

"How long have you been working for your dad?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I know you worked for him, Katie. I just... how long?"

"You just what, mom?" I question.

She sighs before getting on her phone. She turns it to me and I smirk seeing a picture of me and Luna. My hair was pulled into a ponytail and our jackets held the crown symbol.

"How long have you had that?" I ask her before taking another drag. I repeat the similar process as she looks confused.

"You're not denying it."

"Mom... I'm not an idiot. I know you had that for awhile. Luna's hair is blue now. I hung around gang members. That doesn't mean I was in one or I worked for him."

She sighs before turning the camera to herself. "You're just like your father grandmother. She was just like you when she was younger. Always getting into trouble but never getting a record. Her husband had a gang in Boston."

"The Kings. I know. She was in the Queens. Both gangs were the same just different gender. I've heard the story before."

"Look if you were working for him I don't care. I just... I don't understand you often. Can you help me with that?"

I flick the cigarette away watching as it burns out. "There's nothing to know about me." I tell him before standing and heading inside. I pass Betty nodding toward her.

"Katie." My mom states.

I ignore her as I go upstairs and to my room passing both Roni and Polly who look up toward me. Roni seems to want to talk to me but I close my door before anyone could.

++++++

"Sheriff Keller told us everything. How you're hiding Polly at the Pembrooke?"

"Better than in an insane asylum," Betty tells her mom.

"Actually, Mrs. Copper, that's on me. I was the one who suggested that Polly stay with us." Roni states.

"She's trying to help. Unlike you and Dad, who want Polly to give the baby up for adoption."

"Betty, it's what's best for Polly and the baby."

"No, I would think it's whats best for you, Mrs. Cooper," I speak up for the first time since she dragged us in here. "Have you even asked Polly what she even wants because she'd loved Jason and she loves that baby. I highly doubt she'd ever want to lose that."

"She's right, mom. The only choice you have is rather you want to be apart of Polly life or not. Veronica, Katie, and her mom have offered to host a baby shower."

"Well, that is hardly appropriate."

"Really?" Betty says with a slight chuckle. She slides out of her desk to stand in front of her mom before speaking again. "Because I think it's an amazing idea. You want to be loving and supportive like a normal grandmother? Then, great. Otherwise, stay away."

Alice looks over to us and I smirk at this. Well, that's that then.

++++

"Um Ronnie, Katie? A word?" I nod standing up and walking out of the breakfast room. We stop in the hall closest to the kitchen and my mom looks panicked. "The Blossoms and the Coopers in our pre-war apartment? It'll be a bloodbath! They've been the Hatfields and the McCoys since long before Polly was pregnant. Plus, I'm trying to avoid the Blossoms. If they find out your father is the one who bought the drive-in, it'll be open war."

"Against us?" Roni asks.

"Why?" I ask her confused.

"They're making a play for the land hoping to stop construction. Fred and I are trying to keep it on track, but-"

"Mr. Andrews still doesn't know that Daddy is the buyer?"

"All of which is to say the timing of this shower is just... it's not ideal. Plus, I can't believe Alice even wants to come, from what you two have told me."

"She doesn't. However, maybe you can talk to her." I offer my opinion not that I even care about this.

I just need to stay under the radar and to inform dad about mom suspicions. I know my mom is getting close to finding out. If she hasn't finished putting two and two together she will soon. And I got to protect my ass in the backfire that's going to happen. Which is why I need to call my dad soon. Too bad I have no way to get to New York to see hi.

"Oh, yeah, no," Mom says in disgust.

I want to laugh hearing this.

"Please, mom, she really needs our help."