Whether she had killed someone or witnessed something or simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time, Caleb didn’t know.
But he was going to find out.
Even if it meant confronting truths he didn’t want to face.
Millie stood back after being questioned by the sheriff again.
He’d explained the video footage to her. Had said someone left the house last night.
A woman.
That fact put her on edge.
Right now, Sutherland was getting ready to talk to Sissy. Millie busied herself in the kitchen again. She still had to finish that fruit salad.
She glanced over. Sissy sat on the couch, with one hand resting protectively over her stomach and Georgie curled in her lap. She looked pale, and her eyes were red-rimmed as if she’d been crying earlier.
“I appreciate your patience,” the sheriff was telling her. “I know this has been a difficult day.”
Sissy nodded but said nothing, almost as if her throat was too tight to speak.
“I need to ask you a few questions about last night. Did you leave your room at any point between midnight and six a.m.?”
Sissy blinked, her hand tightening over her stomach. “I—I was in my room. I didn’t go anywhere. I can barely walk to the bathroom without getting winded.”
Her voice wobbled slightly, and Millie saw the fear in her eyes.
The sheriff nodded, his expression softening just a fraction. “Did you hear anything unusual?”
“No.” Sissy shook her head quickly. “I’ve been sleeping pretty heavily lately. The pregnancy—it just wipes me out.”
“I can imagine.”
“Do you think I’m safe here?”
Millie’s head snapped up at the unexpected question. But she supposed it made sense. Sissy wanted reassurance from someone other than Caleb and Naomi.
“I know the Kings have a lot of security measures in place.”
“Like cameras?” she asked.
“Yes, like cameras and gates and alarms. I don’t want to tell you not to worry—that would be foolish. But I can tell you that you’re in good hands.”
Then the two of them talked quietly. She couldn’t understand what they were saying—which was just as well. But Sissy continued to look nervous with her gaze darting about.
The poor woman shouldn’t have to go through this. She should feel safe here.
But someone was determined not to let that happen.
Sutherland wrote something down, then closed his notebook and stood. “We’ll need to search your rooms. Specifically, we’re looking for any black or dark-colored coats or jackets. Muddy shoes. Anything that might indicate someone went outside.”
Sissy’s eyes widened. “You think one of us?—”
“I’m not accusing anyone.” The sheriff kept his voice calm and even with each word. “I’m gathering evidence. If you have nothing to hide, this will be quick and painless.”
Millie’s pulse hammered.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs, and Valentina appeared, Pippa tucked under her arm. Her expression was tight, defensive as her gaze studied the situation and realized what was happening.
