Behind The Lies by Mark Beckner (the chimp paradox .txt) 📗

“I agree,” sighs Baker. “And he does have a pretty good alibi, unless his mom is lying through her teeth.”

Back at the station, Baker goes through Brad’s cell phone messages and phone calls. He confirms Brad was truthful about not sending any texts or making any calls to Wendy’s phone, but does find a couple of calls between Brad and Aaron. This does not seem unusual, given that both Brad and Aaron admit to working together on the texting to Wendy.

After about 30 minutes of reviewing notes, Walker gets a call from Officer Ivey. She had been sent to the Spire home with a photo of the yellow scarf found in Livingston’s car. She advises Walker that all three family members identified the scarf as the one belonging to Wendy.

Baker and Walker review what they have and believe they now have probable cause to arrest Livingston for the murder of Wendy Spire. With nothing tying Brad to the crime, and with his mother providing a solid alibi, there is no reason to believe Aaron’s story pointing the finger at Brad. They meet with Chief Carson to review the case.

“It sure looks like probable cause to me,” agrees Carson. “And with the media frenzy and fear in this town right now, it would be nice if we could put people at ease with an arrest. Do we have any other theories?”

“Only the story Aaron told about McGivens, but that didn’t pan out,” says Walker. “We have no evidence that Brad was there other than Aaron saying he was, and Mrs. McGivens swears he was home all evening. He may have inadvertently helped set that poor girl up for her death.”

Baker chimes in, “not only that, but we found Wendy’s yellow scarf and tennis shoe in Livingston’s car. Aaron lied to us about both items, telling us he didn’t know anything about the shoe or where the scarf was. Yet, we found both in his car.”

“Okay, I think we need to get him in custody before anything else happens. It won’t be long before his name leaks out and then all hell will break loose,” advises the Chief.

Saturday, November 14th 5:30 pm

Detectives Baker and Walker are at the door of the Livingston home. Mrs. Livingston answers the door.

“Mrs. Livingston, I’m sorry to tell you we have a warrant to place Aaron under arrest for the murder of Wendy Spire,” announces Baker.

“Why?” she asks, “he told you what happened. He did not kill that girl.”

“We have evidence that ties him to the crime ma’am. We need to see Aaron now.”

Aaron can overhear the conversation and walks to the door. He is crying and quietly says, “I didn’t kill Wendy, please believe me.”

“Aaron, you’re under arrest for the murder of Wendy Spire,” advises Baker. He then places Aaron in handcuffs and leads him out the door to a waiting patrol car. Aaron is first taken to the police station where he is fingerprinted, and his mouth swabbed for DNA. He is then taken to the juvenile detention center.

Thirty minutes after Aaron’s arrest, Brad McGivens is with the football team getting ready for the kickoff of the championship game against Ford High School. A win will send them to the state playoffs. However, Brad is having trouble focusing on the game. He has been a nervous wreck since talking with the detectives earlier in the day. Now, he can’t seem to get Wendy’s murder off his mind. He worries the detectives still think he was somehow involved. He is not the only one having trouble focusing on the game. Wendy’s death created a pall among the students that has carried over to the team. They do not perform well.

Brad has the worst game of his junior and senior years, rushing for only 68 yards and catching 2 passes for another 22 yards. He drops the 4 other passes thrown his way. The Lincoln Wildcats end up losing the championship game by a score of 28-14. They will not be going to the state playoffs.

Thursday, November 12th

At 5:00 pm, Aaron leaves his home to go pick up Brad at Johnson’s Café. He is both nervous and excited over finally meeting and talking to Wendy. His fear is probably greater than excitement at this point. Will she even show up,? he wonders. Is Brad actually going to help introduce me? Aaron arrives at Johnson’s Café at about 5:10 pm and parks on the south side of the building. He waits for Brad.

At about the same time, Brad is at home having just finished some dinner. He tells his mom he is tired and has some schoolwork to do, game plans to review, and that he’s going to his bedroom to listen to music while getting his work done. “Okay, if I don’t see you, have a good night,” she tells him.

Brad retreats to his bedroom and cranks up some music, loud enough for his mom to hear. He then opens the bedroom window and climbs out, as he has done before when wanting to leave without his parents knowing. It is cold outside, so he takes his winter jacket and black leather gloves to keep himself warm for the walk. If he walks quickly, it will only take him about 15 minutes to get to Johnson’s Café.

It is now 5:15 pm and Brad is not there. Aaron begins to believe Brad is not coming. Then, suddenly there is a tapping on the passenger window. “Unlock the door,” says Brad. Brad then hops into the front passenger seat.

“You ready for your big night?” Brad asks.

“I guess, as ready as I will ever be.”

“Good, I see you have the scarf. Let’s go then!”

As Aaron drives toward the school, Brad sees Aaron’s ring on the console of the car. “Is this yours?” Brad asks as he holds and admires the ring.

“Yes,” says Aaron. “It used to be my Dad’s, but I kept it after he died.”

“A.L., was his name Aaron too?” Brad inquires.

“No, his name was Allen, so our