Which it is.
“I was upset.”
“You didn’t look all that upset to me.”
“I was in shock.”
“Were you upset or in shock, Miss Lee?”
“Both. I—Both!”
“So you didn’t go into the woods to make sure Kai hadn’t left any evidence behind when he released Melissa?”
A headache thumps behind my eyes. “Now you thinkI’minvolved in this bullshit? You said I wasn’t a suspect!”
“No, you’re right. My apologies.” Thatcher raises his hands, wrists balanced on the desk. “Why would you clean up a crime scene for Kai when you’re intentionally withholding crucial information for his alibi?”
Alarm bells start going off inside my head.
Crucial information?
Alibi?
Crime scene?
I keep telling this guy that I don’t know where Kai went. That he never came home. How is that?—
“It’s because you’re waiting for me to ask, isn’t it?” Thatcher looks so fucking pleased with himself, my mouth goes bitter. I drag my Styrofoam cup closer and sip at the lukewarm coffee inside. “Makes it look less contrived, correct?”
I say nothing, because holy fuck, I’ve never been this out of my depth in my life. The coffee is helping with the nausea, so I just keep sipping it, waiting.
“Fine, Miss Lee.” He sounds a little grumpier now, those smug lines beside his eyes fading. “What time did Mr. Jordan come back to the Airbnb on Saturday morning?”
“He didn’t—“ I stop talking.
There’s a wolfish gleam in Thatcher’s eyes.
It’s another fucking trap.
He’s testing me…or maybe he’s testing Kai.
Did…did Kai tell the deputy that he came back to the Airbnb yesterday morning, hoping I’d back him up if I was asked about it?
Because if he was there with me, he couldn’t have been with Melissa. Maybe Thatcher figured out the exact time Melissa was dropped off in the woods.
Or Thatcher’s lying and trying to catchmein a lie.
God. What the hell am I supposed to do? Lie for Kai, and hope it’s not another trap? Or stick to the truth and hope it’s not my testimony putting Kai away for a couple of years?
“It’s not a trick question, Miss Lee. Mr. Jordan informed me he stopped at the Airbnb that morning to check on you. All I need to know is what time he?—“
Fuck this.
I rush to my feet, arms crossed, glaring at him.
“Are you arresting me?” I snap.
“Like I said when we sat down, Miss Lee, you’re not?—“
