CHAPTER ELEVEN

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     "DON'T SEND ME AWAY."

Dakota was sprawled out on Lafayette's couch, beer in her hand as they watched an old Hollywood film. There was no work today as it was Arlene's wedding party tonight and they had been given the day off. Lafayette had seen the film plenty of times, but he insisted on watching it again so she could enjoy his favorite.

Andy Bellefleur and Bud Dearborne came to see her that morning to ask questions about the attack, but they hadn't been able to get information from the home. Andy had asked if Jason somehow had resembled the hooded man and Dakota had slammed the door in his face.

They really didn't like Jason and wanted to have someone to blame.

"Damn, Georgia!" grinned Lafayette, immersed into the film. "Your replacement just showed up."

He had been quoting almost every sentence, but Dakota didn't mind, it was amusing to watch him try to remember the entire monologue of the film. The screen was black and white and the plot a bit scandalous, but fun.

"I thought you said you were gonna get rid of her quick." he quoted. "Bitch, I love you, you scandalous whore. Take your man. Take his ass."

Dakota snorted and glanced through the blinds when she saw movement outside. She nudged Lafayette beside her, and he tore his gaze from the screen to look at her, he followed her line of sight and pulled the blinds down just a bit.

"Fuck," he cussed, seeing as an older gentleman came up his steps, sunglasses covering his eyes. "he's a day early."

"What is it?" Dakota asked, setting her beer down on the table.

"Hide in the bedroom and escape through the window." he said, wiggling his brows. "You don't want to see this, shit."

"Lafayette," she smacked his arm, grossed out and sprung up from the couch in a hurry.

The blond hid in the bathroom instead, closing the door just as her best friend opened the front door. Dakota could go through the bathroom window and go for a walk, but her curiosity got the best of her, and she pressed her ear against the door. Dakota knew Lafayette dealt drugs as a second job, he had been doing it for a very long time and she didn't mind, as long as he was careful about it.

"Well, this an unexpected pleasure." he said, holding the door open for the well-dressed gentleman.

"Hey," the man smiled, somewhat shyly as he entered the home, looking around. "I can't stay long."

"Boyfriend, I can make you stay longer than you ever thought you could." Lafayette flirted, unbuttoning a button from the man's blouse. Dakota gagged, even though she couldn't see anything she could imagine what was happening.

"Actually," the man spluttered, holding a pile of money he had taken from his coat pocket. "I had something else in mind."

"What?" Lafayette cocked his head to the side slightly.

"A little V-Juice?" the man said, it almost sounded as if he was pleading.

Dakota wasn't sure if she heard the man correctly and pressed even closer to the door, frowning. If Lafayette was selling V he could be in a lot of trouble. V was illegal, more so from the vampires and he would be slaughtered if they found out.

"Sold out."

What the fuck? Dakota was pissed at her friend for endangering himself like that. How had he even gotten the vampire blood?

Lafayette fell onto his back onto the couch with a sly shrug, eyes turning toward the film that was still playing on the tv. "What? Ain't nothing I can do. My supplier only comes out after dark. If you know what I mean?"

"Damn it." The man cussed, rubbing his face anxiously as he heaved a sigh. "I have a speech tonight."

"You got stage fright?" asked Lafayette, grin on his face as he sat up straight, resting his elbows on his knees.

"A little." The man admitted.

He got up from the couch and rummaged through his bag, finding a small pouch of pills and he dangled them in front of the man. The man raised a brow and took the pouch from his as Lafayette took the money from his other hand. He pulled him closer by his belt. "This should help with the nerves."

"I – I really can't stay." he muttered.

"Your loss." he shrugged.

The man thanked him and went on his way, closing the door behind him just as Dakota burst through the bathroom door. Her friend wasn't surprised and waited for her to start screaming as he turned to face her.

"You're dealing V?" she demanded, arms crossed.

"Don' get all upset with me, girl." he scoffed, rolling his eyes at the blond before him.

"Do you know how dangerous that is?" Dakota asked, worriedly.

"Relax, Koko." he said. "I got a deal with this vamp, he's harmless. Been doing this for a long time."

✧✧✧✧✧

DAKOTA HADN'T GONE TO ARLENE'S WEDDING PARTY LAST NIGHT. The woman would much rather stay inside, lay on the couch as watch more trashy Hollywood films as she had Lafayette's apartment to herself. He had gone out to run some errands, probably getting more V to sell but she decided not to speak about it anymore.

Her cousin had been attacked at the party and she was glad not to have been there. Sookie had heard the man's thoughts and found out about a girl named Cindy from going through his mind. Dakota had been too caught up with not getting stabbed she hadn't even thought about trying to read his mind.

Sam and Sookie had gone a few towns over to get more information about the girl and they were on their way back now. They'd pick Dakota up on the way, she decided to head back home now that Sookie was also staying there again instead of Bill's home.

Dakota was mid sip when her phone rang, and she put the glass on the table before her. Her cousin was calling her, and she picked up on the third right, not having heard from him in a few days.

"Hey, Jason." she answered.

"Kota," he sniffed. Dakota sat up straight, frown covering her features as she listened to him. "I messed up. I really messed up this time."

"What's wrong?" she asked. "What happened?"

"I killed her." he breathed. "I killed Amy. One moment we were having sex and the next thing I knew is that she laid beside me, not breathing. I choked her, Kota. I killed her."

Dakota held her breath, unmoving. There was no way. Jason couldn't kill anyone even if he tried. This had to be a mistake.

"I'm at the police station." he continued, sniffing as he tried to hold his cries. "I killed Maudette and Dawn, too. I attacked you and then Sookie last night. I must have. I think ... I think I killed gran as well."

"Jason," Dakota said, softly. "this has to be some sort of mistake. You didn't kill anyone, and you certainly didn't kill gran. You would never hurt us, okay? I'll be there soon, alright? We'll figure it out."

"Dakota," he began but the line went dead, and she cussed under her breath as she got up and went out the door.

✧✧✧✧✧

DAKOTA STALKED INTO THE STATION, ANGER EVIDENT ON HER FACE AS SHE PUSHED THE DOORS OPEN. Kenya Jones sat behind the desk, typing away on a computer and she glanced up from the screen when she heard the doors open. She raised one brow before continuing what she was doing.

"Where is Jason?"

Kenya peered up at her. "Locked up."

"I am aware." Dakota gave her an incredulous look. "What cell are you keeping him? I want to see him."

"He already has a visitor." she shrugged.

The door flew open once more and Sookie rushed inside, the same expression on her face. The short blond slammed her hands on the desk as she gave Deputy Jones a glare.

"Where the hell is he?"

"You can't see him."

Dakota let out an annoyed sigh, shaking her head and walking around the desk and toward the doors that led to one of the cell blocks. Apparently, Dakota had guessed correctly because Kenya got up and tried to block her from entering.

"You can't go in there."

"I am going in there, whether you like it or not." Dakota stood her ground as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Sorry, Dakota, but he is only allowed one visitor at a time."

"Get out of my way." she told the deputy.

"You can either let me go or throw me in there with him, but I am going in." Sookie glared, clenching her jaw and trying to walk around the woman. This time Kenya shook her head and let the women pass.

Rene sat on the bench before the cells and looked up at the two cousins when they walked in. Neither of them paid him any mind as they rushed towards Jason. The oldest Stackhouse grabbed one of their hands each, holding them tightly through the bars.

"Jason," Sookie breathed.

"I'm sorry, Sook." he frowned. "I am so sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for." she shook her head. "I just wished you called before you went and confessed to something you didn't do."

"I don't remember to any of it." Jason said. "I just know I did."

"Jason, you need to shut up, okay?" Dakota said.

"We're so close to finding out who the killer is." said Sookie and Dakota turned to look at her. "His name is Drew Marshall. He had a sister named Cindy and I think he killed her. Strangled her just like he did Maudette, Dawn and Amy."

If they know this how come, they haven't gone to the cops and gotten her brother out of that cell?

"I tried that and so far, the cops have done diddlysquat to protect me and my family." Sookie turned to Rene, eyes narrowed. "'Sides, I don't have any evidence yet. I don't even know what Drew Marshall looks like."

"So, you can't really be sure he's the killer." Rene said.

"I've seen what's inside his head." Sookie confessed.

They'll never believe that about him, but it's the truth. There's all kind of strangeness in this world.

"I know you're trying to help me." Jason began. "But the truth is, I am a murderer. And i'm going to Hell."