Desperado

Chapter Twenty

Anatomy of a Murder

"Told you," I say as I walk toward Jughead.

"Jug," Archie says.

I settle into the booth in front of Jugheads and Roni was behind him. Betty takes the place beside him as Jug stares out the window.

"Jug, we're so sorry... About everything."

"Juggy, we screwed up. We all did. Breaking into your dads' trailer was one but at least some good came out of it."

"Pretty sure my dad was just arrested for murder."

"That gun wasn't there when we searched his trailer."

"She's right, Jug. I have the pictures to prove it and we need to turn this in now before your dad confesses." They all look to me confused.

"What are you talking about?"

"Your dad told me about why he's going to. To protect you from being killed. And I think I know who killed Jason but I don't have the proof I need to make that stick."

"How did you..."

"So what my mom said was true you were with FP and Joaquin."

"I've worked with the Serpents before. They don't do this kind of stuff not for any kind of money. Alright so let's go find that proof and hopefully your dad didn't confess when we get it."

++++++

"Excuse me, sir. We need to see Sheriff Keller."

"There's been a huge mistake." I turn my head seeing Sheriff Keller walking toward us. "Sheriff, we need to talk to you about FP Jones. Please, he's being framed."

"What? Then why did he just confess?"

I notice FP being walked out and his eyes meet mine. He mouths a sorry to me before looking away from me. I watch him being towed away and clench my fist together. He's such an idiot. This was not his part to play.

++++++

Jughead POV

"Archie asked me to look into your fathers class. I went down to the station and passed myself off as his attorney to try to get as much information as I could." Mary tells me.

"How's it looking, Mom?"

"Well, unfortunately, between FP's list of priors, the anonymous tip, and the possession of the murder weapon..."

"Don't forget that pesky confession," I tell her.

"Things look pretty bad. I was with him all night, and he never once budged from his story."

"Well, if nothing else, at least he's an honest murderer. Right?"

"Jug," Archie says.

"Oh, also, who is Joaquin DeSantos?"

"Joaquin? As in Kevin's boyfriend?"

"He was FP's one phone call. Jughead, my advice to you is, go and see your father. Tell him everything you wanna say. Once he's arraigned, things tend to move pretty quickly, and there won't be anything left to do. So, this might be your last chance."

++++++

"When Archie told me about his little plan to help you, get you on your feet, and working with Fred, deep down, I knew it was a mistake," I tell him.