“Those seeds of doubt,” I say, meeting his eyes again. “They’re even bigger now. Because the lawyer doesn’t believe Ruck killed Melanie.”
“Oh, Bree,” he says. “This must be awful for you.”
All I can do is nod.
“What will happen from here, do you think?”
“I don’t know.” I rise from the chair and walk toward the window, staring out without really seeing. “It’s possible that when the detective compares all the files, he’ll decide Ruckwasjust fucking with his lawyer, and then it’s back to case closed. But if things don’t sit right with him, I suppose he might reopen the investigation.”
“Will Logan keep you informed, at least?”
I spin around.
“Yes, but I can’t count on him to play middleman. I need to find out myself what the cops are thinking and make sure this whole thing doesn’t go off the rails.”
“You’re going to call them?”
“No, not call them,” I say, feeling a swell of anxiety. Because a decision that’s been taking shape since I spoke to Schmidt is now fully formed. “I’ve got to go back to Cartersville—as soon as possible.”
Chapter 6
For a few seconds a weird silence hangs between us, and we stand there awkwardly, like we’re ex-lovers who’ve bumped into each other on a subway platform and don’t know which words should followhello.
“That makes sense,” Bas finally says. “But would it be best to wait a few days and see how things play out?”
I shake my head. “If I wait, they might decide things without me having any input.”
“Right ...” He looks straight at me, and I see real concern in his dark-brown eyes. “Why don’t I go with you, Bree? I can work as easily from the US as I can from here.”
His offer is immensely gratifying, especially since he doesn’t appear to dread the idea, and yet there are several cons to it.
“That’s wonderful of you, Bas, but no, it’s too much to ask. The airfare to New York is insane, as you know, and it will be even higher booking at the last minute. I think it’s best if I go alone, take care of what needs to be done, and then get out of there as fast as I can.”
What I don’t say is that I can’t bear the thought of dragging him into the gruesome past even more than I’ve already done this afternoon. And at the end of the day, it’ll be better if I’m on my own, able to focus totally on what’s at hand.
“You sure?” he asks. “The money doesn’t matter to me.”
“Thank you, sweetheart, but, yes, I’m sure.”
“If you change your mind, even at the last minute, just let me know.”
“Will do.” I step toward him, and we hug each other tightly. He smells like fresh air and the outdoors.
For a while I read on the couch with Sebastian, trying to find comfort in his presence and the crackle of the fire he’s started, but after an hour I grow restless and retreat to my office. Seated at my desk, I book a Sunday-night flight from Montevideo to New York’s JFK, with a two-hour layover in São Paulo, the fare as pricey as I expected.
I also reserve a seat on an eleven-o’clock train Monday from Penn Station north to Albany-Rensselaer, and from there it will be a twenty-five-minute cab or Uber ride northwest to Cartersville. With any luck, I won’t be completely ragged by the time I show up.
Once I’m done planning the trip, I email Logan the itinerary, saying that I’m coming to the reception next Thursday after all and will arrive a few days early in order to be included in the meeting with Detective Halligan. I also make it clear that, though he’s welcome to introduce me at the reception, I don’t want to make any remarks.
“Thank you, Bree, that’s great,” he writes back soon after. “I’ve just texted Halligan.”
I assume that’s the end of the thread, but a minute later he writes saying there’s an issue he needs to raise. When it seemed like I wouldn’t be attending the reception, he’d invited his girlfriend, Lisa, and she’s looking forward to it, especially since she helped with some of the paperwork for the scholarships. Is that a problem for me?
I certainly don’t love the idea. Not because I’d ever feel jealous—as the other night reinforced for me, my desire for my ex-husband burned off long ago—but being around his girlfriend is bound to be slightly awkward. Still, I’m in a solid, happy relationship of my own, and it seems unfair to make Logan disinvite her.
And at least I have a glimmer of what to expect. I met Lisa once years ago when she briefly worked at his company.
“No, not a problem,” I respond.
