SAMANTHA
Samantha watched Alex through the windshield, her engine still running in case she changed her mind.
She'd rehearsed this conversation a dozen times, but now, watching him lean against his car with that easy smile she knew too well, every word evaporated.
She turned off the ignition. Her hands were shaking.
She sat for a while.
Her heart hammered in her chest.
What would his reaction be when he heard the news? Just do it. She told herself.
Plastering a smile on her face, she alighted the car and took him in, butterflies in her belly.
His eyes lit up on sighting her and a boyish grin tugged at his mouth.
She'd always loved when he smiled at her. His eyes crinkled at the corner.
"Hey you," she said, forcing lightness into her voice. I've missed you."
The scent of his cologne—cocoa and a hint of musk—drifted towards her as he stepped closer.
She hugged him and inhaled deeply, holding onto the warmth of familiarity.
She stayed a bit longer in his arms before parting reluctantly.
"You look so beautiful today Sam", he said, staring down at her.
Her throat tightened. She smiled anyway.
They stood there, silent words passing between them. For a brief moment, the world seemed to be on hold.
She noticed a flicker in his eyes but it disappeared as quickly as it came.
Did she imagine it?
The loud roar of a bike shattered the quiet street.
She rolled her eyes as the rider screeched to a halt behind them. The rider pulled off his helmet and swung down with a grin full of mischief.
"Starting the party without me? Now that's unfair."
Alex laughed.
"Stop being a big baby and get here", She chuckled as she wrapped her arms around Jude.
They stood there for a moment, the three of them. Alex said something about being hungry, suggested the diner on Fifth. Jude was already pulling out his phone to check the hours.
Like nothing had changed.
Like everything hadn't already changed.
"Sam?" Jude's voice dropped. "What's going on?"
Alex pushed off his car, sensing the shift. "Yeah, seriously. You're kind of freaking me out."
Sam looked at both of them—these two men she'd known since high school, who'd helped her move apartments four times, who'd shown up at the hospital when her mom had her stroke, who'd been at every birthday, every celebration, every terrible karaoke night.
She opened her mouth. Closed it.
Tried again.
"I didn't come here as your friend tonight."
The words landed like stones.
Jude went very still. "What does that mean?"
Sam reached into her bag and pulled out a folder. Her hands were steady now. That was the strangest part—once she started, her prosecutor voice kicked in, smooth and professional.
"There's an active investigation into the murder of Elena Harnold."
Jude's face went blank. "Okay…?"
"The grand jury returned an indictment yesterday." She paused, and met Jude's eyes. "An arrest warrant has been issued in your name."
The words tasted like ash in her mouth.
For three full seconds, nobody moved.
Then Alex let out a sharp, disbelieving laugh. "Wait, what? Is this a joke?"
"It's not a joke."
"Sam, come on—" Alex started.
Jude was staring at Sam with an expression she'd never seen before—hurt and betrayal and something else she couldn't name.
"You think I killed Elena," he said quietly.
"I think," she said carefully, "that you need a lawyer. A good one. And I think you need to turn yourself in before they come looking for you."
"Jesus Christ." Jude ran both hands through his hair, turning away from her. "This isn't happening."
"I have to go," she said abruptly.
"What? Sam, we're not done—"
"Yes, we are." She looked at Jude, trying to memorize his face before everything changed. "I came here to tell you about the warrant. That's all I can do. The rest is up to you."
"So that's it?" Jude's voice was hollow. "You're just going to walk away?"
"I have to. I'm the prosecutor, Jude. I can't be involved beyond this point."
"Involved?" Jude let out a sharp, broken laugh.
"We're friends, Sam. Or we were. Doesn't that mean anything?"
"It means everything," Sam said, and her voice finally cracked. "That's why this is killing me."
She turned to leave before he could see the tears starting.
"Sam, wait—" Alex called after her.
She didn't wait.
She got in her car, locked the doors, and sat there shaking for a full minute before she could start the engine.
In her rearview mirror, she watched Jude and Alex standing in the parking lot. Alex had a hand on Jude's shoulder, talking fast, probably trying to calm him down.
Then Jude shook him off, strode to his motorcycle, and roared out of the lot without looking back.
Sam started her car.
Drove home.
She didn't cry until she was alone in her apartment with the door locked and the lights off.
Then she sat on her kitchen floor, still in her coat, and let herself fall apart.
She'd just destroyed a friendship.
No— she'd destroyed three.