“Oh, it’s enough,” Hilary says in disgust.
“What do you mean?”
“This is between the two of us for now, okay? The more I thought about it, the more convinced I was that Riley didn’t take her own life and that someone must have been in the house with her. At about nine last night, when I was already at my friend’s, I remembered the trail camera I’d set up in the woods right behind the house. I went through the footage. The camera was angled enough to catch a woman arriving at the back door around midday, being let in by Riley, and then exiting in a hurry less than an hour later—with Riley nowhere in sight. I sent it to the police immediately, and based on the questions they had for me, I realized it was Morgan Kroll.”
I jerk my head toward Logan, and his expression is as stunned as mine must be. I thank Hilary and promise to update her with anything we learn.
“Who would have guessed?” Logan says once I’ve disconnected. “We’ve been saved by someone’s interest in fucking wildlife.”
Without warning, I begin to cry, unable to stay on autopilot for a second more. I’m crying about Riley and everything she suffered, in part because of me. And I’m crying about Mel. Though I’m pretty sure I finally know the truth about her death, she’ll always be part mystery to me and her love forever out of reach. Maybe Logan was right that shedid love me and, like many adolescents, was simply sucky at showing it, but I’ll never know for sure.
He steps forward and embraces me, and for a few minutes we just hold each other, and the only sound in the room is our ragged breathing. I finally pull away.
“Shall I meet you in the lobby at nine fifteen?” I ask, brushing away my tears.
“Sounds good.” He levels his gaze at me. “And then come back, okay?”
“You mean tonight?” That’s clearly what he’s talking about.
“Actually, I meanalways,” he says. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Bree.”
My breath catches in shock.
“Logan, I have a partner, and you do, too. She moved in with you only a few months ago.”
“It’s not the right choice for me, though. And I don’t see how you think your choice is the right one for you, either, fleeing to the damn Southern Cone.”
“But—”
“I made a huge fucking mistake, Bree, and I’m not only sorry, but I also want the chance to finally make it up to you.”
I feel shaky. Despite how solicitous Logan has been this week, I never saw this coming. I’m also shaky because I liked hearing him say those words, and I’m not sure what that means. Would I be willing to throw away my new life with a man I love just to be with Logan again?
I do my best to center myself.
“Logan, I’m moved by what you’re saying. But please, can we put this subject on hold for now? I feel too overwhelmed by everything that’s happened. I need to get ahold of myself before we meet with Halligan.”
“Yes, of course. I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”
Back in my room, I reset to autopilot. I shower, and with my hair dripping wet, I call Bas.
“Cariño, hi,” he says. “I was hoping that was you.”
The sound of his voice, sounknowing, floods me with guilt.
“Please tell me your cold is better, sweetheart.”
“Yes, much.”
“So glad to hear.”
I feel like an evil magician right now, using sleight of hand to hide not only my two-timing but also the weird ambivalence I left Logan’s room with. Knowing Bas, he might even sense the trickery.
“You actually caught me at my computer, double-checking your arrival time.”
“That’s partly why I’m calling,” I say. “Something pretty shocking has happened, and I need to spend another day or two with the police here. I’m going to try to switch my flight to Sunday night.”
“What’s going on?” he asks.
