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else wanted that job enough to kill for it. There was too much to do and no time to do it. We needed to call in the big guns and I didn’t know how to convince Bryce to let an expert help us.
     

 
     
     
     
    Chapter 8
     
    Bryce
     
     
    Being pestered about Freddy agitated me. But Chelsey was wise. At some point, if Chelsey and I didn’t figure this all out, I’d have to take my chances on Freddy. Chelsey trusted him, but I didn’t know him that well. Our food came and I scoffed mine down.
    Chelsey raised an eyebrow. “Hungry?”
    Gorging like a barnyard animal wasn’t a concern of mine. It wouldn’t be long before everyone was out searching for me and I’d be on the run, not knowing where my next meal would come from.
    Thinking of our short conversation with Drew, I wondered, what was he hiding? Defensive, short with us, angry. Could he have killed Archie? What about this mysterious ball game he had to attend? Chelsey determined there were no games in the area. Why lie about that? Something was off. I didn’t take Drew as the killing type. Maybe he was an accomplice. But what would Drew gain by Archie’s death? What was his motive? Wrong place, wrong time? Is someone threatening him?
    Lack of time prevented me from following Drew around, otherwise, I would’ve made it a priority. I decided to check other leads first. I had to call the cab driver to question him. I also wanted to find Solar and stop into Savoy’s.
    Murder investigations were hard to begin with. When you removed access to police databases, personnel, and DNA evidence, they were nearly impossible to solve. I was starting to believe I’d never find the path to my freedom. I’d either be on the run the rest of my life or serving a stint in a state hellhole. Or there was the possibility of being placed on death row. Oh wait, I forgot. Governor Corzine abolished capital punishment in two thousand seven. Life without parole in a cell with Bubba wasn’t a good thought either.
    “Do you think I should call an attorney?”
    Chelsey stared at me while she chewed her salad. “Maybe that’s not a bad idea.”
    “Do you still believe I didn’t do it?”
    “I do believe you. I’m not saying you should contact an attorney because I believe you’re guilty. An attorney can gather evidence. Many innocent people have to hire attorneys.”
    I glanced away from her and took a drink. I wasn’t going to show Chelsey how out of control and helpless I felt. “You don’t have to keep doing this if you don’t want. I appreciate the help you’ve given me so far.”
    “My daughter will be home on Sunday. You have me until then. Then I have to bow out. I hope you understand.”
    “I do. So, less than a week. Let’s hope this is over by then.”
    “Cheers to that.” Chelsey held up her water glass and toasted my milk. “How can you drink milk with a burger?”
    I shrugged. “Habit, I guess.”
    She smiled. I loved her smile. Her sparkling green eyes. I wondered how she felt about me, with my currently tragic life.
    “Let’s get out of here.”
    “Don’t you want to finish your salad?”
    “I had enough. We have less than a week to figure out who killed Archie. We don’t have time to waste.”
    I nodded. I left a tip on the table for the waitress and we stood in line at the cashier to pay the bill.
    The television was on above the cashier. My face appeared on the screen. Apparently, there was a massive manhunt for me. I looked down in an attempt to hide my face. They were offering a reward for information about my whereabouts.
    Chelsey saw the television as well. “Go out to the car. I’ll wait to pay.”
    I handed Chelsey the money and escaped to the car to wait for her.
     
    * * *
     
    With my foot tapping and my face shielded, I waited impatiently for Chelsey to emerge from the restaurant. Within five minutes she climbed into the passenger seat, and I drove toward Chelsey’s house.
    “I had a decent criminal attorney a couple of years ago.