Taste of Poison

Chapter Twenty-One: Vegetable

It's been five years/ Since we've spoken last/ And you can't take back/ What we've never had/ Oh, I can be manipulated only so many times/ Before even "I love you"/ Starts to sound like a lie – Love of a Daughter by Demi Lovato

Pia was out of the hospital within a couple of days, but the doctor told her not to go to school. Of course, she isn't listening and went to school anyways. While she's off doing that, however, I'm having a word with the two people that wanted Zamiel Ward dead.

Garret and Scout.

I start with Scout first though. She seems like she would break before Garret ever would. I might be able to get more information out of her if I appeal to her jealous nature. Hell, I might get more out of her if I just piss her off.

Scout looks like hell. Her dark hair is a matted mess, and her eye makeup is runny and black streaks stain her cheeks.

My dad still doesn't want me involved with this. He thinks I'm too close to Pia and all that shit, but I don't care. The others in the station have no idea and don't understand what's really going on.

They also don't know how dangerous Pia can be.

"So... Scout," I say quietly as I look down at her records. She's been in trouble for weed before. She got a DUI when she was seventeen and was let off with a warning. That's pretty much it though. Other than that, there's not much here on her papers.

"What do you want?" she spits with venom.

My eyes narrow at her attitude. "What's your problem with Pia? You were the one that shot her, right?" I ask her.

Her jaws visibly clench. "I'm not telling you anything."

My eyes narrow. The other guys have already talked to her, but now it was my turn. I'm not leaving till she starts flapping her jaws.

"I understand how you feel, Scout," I tell her soothingly. "I understand what it's like to be rejected... I understand what it's like to be replaced with someone that's not as near as good."

Her expression slightly changes. It softens, but she still doesn't look like she completely believes what I'm saying. "How do I know you're not lying to me? I really don't believe what you're saying is true. You cops always say shit to get people to talk."

I shake my head as I reach over to touch her cut up hand. The notion surprised her, and she quickly snatches her hand away from mine.

"I don't blame you for not believing me," I tell her. "There was a woman that I completely worshipped. I would have done anything for her. I would have done anything she would ask of me... I would have died for her..." I trail off. "But I also would have killed for her too."

She looks at me with tears in her eyes. "What happened?"

I look down at the table. "I wasn't good enough, Scout. She saw all my efforts, but she didn't give a shit. She used me till she was tired of me. She dropped me like a bad habit and replaced me with someone more gullible and younger. I wasn't good enough even though I gave her everything that she could ever want or needed. I bored her. I was nothing but a pawn to her."

Finally, the tears were breaking free. "Just like how I am to Rock... He replaced me with Pia. That fucking bitch... I cared about Rock. I would have done anything for him. I would have, but when he brought her into the picture... Everything went to shit. He used to only want to be around me. He used to include me... He moved to Texas. He left me, and when he came back, he wasn't the same. He was angrier and more violent."