Silas’s head tilts to the side while he thinks about his answer. “I think Camille left around midnight. I wasn’t far behind her.”
Detective Sullivan puts his pen down and looks at Silas. “And where did you go after you left Chantilly’s?”
“Home.”
“In Corbeau?”
Silas smiles. “That’s the only one I’ve got.”
“You didn’t drive back to Baton Rouge?”
Silas’s hand flinches slightly and I’m hoping I’m the only one who noticed it. “No. I did not.”
Hank steps in. “I believe Mr. Everett has answered the question that solidifies where Mrs. Bayliss was on Saturday night. So unless there’s anything else…”
The detective smiles. “Yes, this has established where both Mrs. Bayliss and Mr. Everett were between the hours of ten p.m. and midnight. My focus is more on the hours before that, from six p.m. to eight p.m., when the coroner has placed the time of death.”
Oh shit.
We all react to this news in different ways. Hank seems visibly taken aback while Silas remains stiff. My tears start falling again.
An hour or so after I left our house someone came in and murdered Ben. I can’t help but think about what Silas said to me in the car before he went into the bar.I didn’t get a chance to talk to him. I knocked but he never answered.This has me questioning things I don’t want to question.
But regardless, this puts him there in that time frame. And for me, it’s when I was stalking Aubrey while she was parading around as me, even though I have nothing to prove that.
This is a nightmare.
Hank recovers first. “Sully, am I misunderstanding the purpose of this visit? We’ve been up front and transparent with you. It’s clear where Mrs. Bayliss spent her time on Saturday and it was nowhere near Baton Rouge.”
I may throw up. All over this table.
Then Silas adds, “If you’re looking for an alibi for me, all you need to do is ask. I was at the farm working on one of the pecan shakers until I left to meet Camille. My wife, Margaret, can verify that if necessary. Just let me know the best way for her to convey that information to you.”
Oh, God. Margaret had only left about an hour before me, so this doesn’t bode well for any of us.
The detective holds up a hand, sensing the hostility coming from our side of the table. We’re playing right into his hands, I know it. “I would be remiss in my duties if I didn’t ask the hard questions.” He looks at Silas. “Let me know a good time to speak with your wife.”
Hank stands up. “Sully, my office will be in touch to set that up.”
Silas looks almost surprised at Hank’s unspoken offer to handle this for him.
Detective Sullivan gets the not-very-subtle hint that this interview is over. For the second time, he packs his things while Silas and I watch him.
We stay in our chairs while Hank walks him out. We’re both silent, not willing to bring up anything while in this room. Finally, Hank returns and drops down in the chair across from us and looks at Silas.
“Your wife really going to be able to vouch for you during that time?”
Silas nods. “Yes, of course.” Then he leans forward, resting his arms on the table. “Do you think Camille is at risk of being charged with Ben’s murder?”
I’m proud I don’t visibly flinch at his question.
Hank looks at me then back at Silas. “I don’t believe so. She has a stack of receipts showing where she was during the window they’ll be focusing on. I’m more worried Sullivan doesn’t have any leads so he’s looking for things that aren’t there.”
“Dad’s not happy you’re taking over this firm. Representing Camille.”
I turn toward my brother. “Silas! Why would you say that?”
Hank just laughs. “Oh, your dad made it crystal clear how he feels about me. If there’s anything productive you’d like to say, then please do. Otherwise, I have a full day ahead and talking about the things Randall Everett does and does not approve of is a waste of time.”
