Time is what I need more than anything else right now. I wait a few seconds, weighing my options, then pull her notebook and pen towardme. I scribble a name and push it back. I don’t want to say it aloud in case there are still ears listening in. “Call this man. Say your client was on Hilton Head in June 2017. Tell him to get me out of here. Today.”
Rachel leans forward, her face a shade paler than it was before. “You want me to callhimand mention Hilton Head, June 2017, then what... ask him to pull some strings to get you released?”
It’s not a question, so I don’t bother giving her an answer.
She gives me a quick nod then leaves the room. I’m surprised she didn’t badger me about the cryptic message, but I’m learning I didn’t give Rachel enough credit.
I never wanted to be sitting here, facing what I’m facing, but I was prepared for it nonetheless. It’s time to call in my favor.
The door cracks open slowly, but it’s too early for Rachel to be back. I relax into my chair, ready to play the game with the detectives. And then Ryan’s head peeks through the open space like he’s not sure he’s in the right room.
When he thought the police were there for him, he was worried about protecting me. Now he looks at me with apprehension.
“Rachel talked the cops into letting me see you for a minute. I think they’re all too scared to tell her no. She did say to expect the cameras and mics to be back on, though.”
They probably want him in here with me, hoping I’ll say something to him they can use against me.
He hesitates just a moment, then he’s by my side and pulling me into his arms. I’m surprised by my own flood of emotion. It’s a relief to see him. He holds me close, squeezing me tight, as he mumbles quietly, “What the hell, Evie.”
I should step away. Break contact with him.
But I can’t let him go.
I don’t want to let him go. I blame my lowered defenses on the long day... the long past several days.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“Yes,” I answer. “Better now that you’re here.”
He pulls back so he can look at me. “Rachel says she’s working on getting you out of here.”
“Good. That’s good.” He looks tired. The past twenty-four hours haven’t been kind to him. First, he loses his childhood friend, then his girlfriend is hauled off in a police cruiser.
He laces his fingers in mine. “What’s going on, Evie? That cop said you’re wanted for questioning as a material witness in a death of some woman in Atlanta. They think you were there when it happened.”
“Yeah, that’s what I was told too. I was as surprised as you were that they wanted to talk to me. I had no idea there was a warrant out for me,” I say, making sure I don’t say anything that I wouldn’t say in front of the cops, since they’re probably listening.
“Does that mean they think something is suspicious about her death? I mean, why else would they need a warrant to talk to you?”
I take a deep breath and blow it out. “I have no idea why they think I know anything.”
He’s nodding while I talk as if he’s weighing the truth of my words.
Before he can say anything else, Rachel opens the door and slips into the room. Her eyes bounce back and forth between us, the judgment there very clear. I’m lying to her friend.
“Evie,” she says with heavy emphasis on my name, “I made the call. It seems to have been successful. We’ll know for sure soon.”
I nod because I knew it would be.
She looks at Ryan. “Can you give us a few minutes? I need to go over some things with Evie.”
He looks between the two of us, I’m sure wondering what we could possibly talk about that he can’t hear.
When I don’t say it’s okay for him to stay, he says, “Of course. I’ll be just outside.”
And then he’s gone.
She waves her hand, gesturing at the room. “Mics and cameras are back off.”
