“OB-GYN Group of Highland Park. I had a feeling that Margot, with Callie’s help, drove Abby there, and possibly by force. And guess what?”
“Go on.”
I exhale, slow down, and tell him every detail. About Stacey ID’ing both Abby and Callie. And possibly Margot. About how upset Abby was, and about how pushy Margot was. And finally, about the CCTV cameras in the lobby.
Flynn grows silent, and I wonder if he even believes me.
He finally speaks. “Sophie, if what you’re telling me is true, if we can verify it with the footage from the cameras, then this, of course, changes everything. I’ll need you to come in and give us a written statement first thing in the morning, but for now I’ll get my team on it ASAP. I still have friends on the force in Dallas and can call in a favor.”
“I’m telling the truth.” Even as I say it, I can sense that he believes me. Or, at least, that he really wants to.
“Let’s take this one step at a time. And in the meantime, stick close to your damn phone and answer it if I call.”
I let out a chuckle and swear I can feel him grinning across the line.
I end the call and relief floods over me. I call Graham next. But predictably, he doesn’t pick up. I don’t leave a message. It’s four thirty and I know he’s knee-deep in taking care of Jack after school, so I decide I’ll try him later, after Jack’s bedtime.
I take a sip of water and focus my eyes on the highway that’s now blissfully clear of traffic.
I want to talk to somebody else about this, and before I’ve even fully thought it through, I dial Jill’s number.
To my surprise, she answers on the second ring.
“Hello?”
I’m not certain if she even knows it’s me who’s calling, and suddenly my neck grows hot and I’m having trouble stringing words together.
“Jill? Hey, it’s Sophie, I—”
“I know who this is.” She sounds detached, icy.
So I cut to the chase.
“I think I know what really happened to Abby,” I blurt out.
I hear the drag of a sigh on the other end.
“Margot was involved.”
Jill sucks in a quick breath. “How do you know?”
“Listen, I’m driving back from Dallas. I can explain everything in person. Can you meet me at your lake house in about an hour? I want to talk in private.”
“I dunno know, Sophie.” Her voice has grown cool again.
“Jill, I believe that Brad is innocent in all of this. And you have to believe that I am as well. And what I’m going to tell you will make everything clear. Everything.”
Silence. Silence so long that I fear she’s disconnected the call.
“Jill, you still there?”
Another long sigh.
“I’m trusting you. I’ll leave town now. See you out there.” She hangs up.
The flat stretch of highway begins to roll and dip over hills tangled with soaring trees, and I’m again back in the pine forest of East Texas. The mile marker to Mapleton reads eighty miles, but it’s twenty more minutes to Cedar Lake on the west side of town, so I should make it in an hour.
The clock on my dash reads five thirty. I’ll arrive at Jill’s well before sundown, which is perfect, because once I’ve told her everything I need to tell her, I’m heading home. To Graham. I’m not naive enough to think he’ll scoop me up with open arms—I’m not even sure he’ll invite me inside—but I want to see his face when I tell him, gauge his reaction and whether I have a chance in hell of ever making things right with him. I can’t even really think about that right now; it will crack my heart open so wide I won’t be able to function at Jill’s.
