Taylor looked at the now-covered boards behind Laurel and Huck. “We waive a lawyer.” Her tone indicated she didn’t have a choice.
Laurel watched Davie to discern his motivations. “Are you angry at your mother?”
He jerked. “No.” His face flushed.
Taylor’s posture softened. “It’s okay if you are. I know I spend too much time working in Seattle, but we need the money. Being mad about that doesn’t make you a bad person.”
Davie looked up and sideways at her before hunching over again, crossing his arms over his stomach. “I’m not mad.”
Taylor rubbed her eyes.
Laurel couldn’t help but feel sorry for them. It was rare for her heart to overtake her head, but today it did anyway. “Why did you lie to us, Davie?”
“I didn’t.” He didn’t meet her eyes.
“We know you had a sexual relationship with Dr. Sharon Lamber.”
Taylor jolted. “You did what?”
Even Davie’s ears turned red. “So what?”
Taylor shook her head as if the world had stopped making sense. “Sharon Lamber? Tommy’s aunt? When did this happen?” Anger pressed her lips tightly together.
Davie shrugged. “Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I guess. She was funny and she liked me. And . . . I mean. You know.”
“You’re a child, Davie,” Taylor exploded.
“Ha. I’m as grown up as anybody else,” he countered. “She saw me as an adult. I felt like a man with her.”
Laurel fought the urge to gag. “She was an adult and you’re a minor, and she took advantage of you, Davie. That isn’t your fault.”
“I’m old enough to consent. She told me,” Davie said.
Huck’s expression mellowed a little. “If you had to be told that by her, then you weren’t old enough to actually consent.”
Legally, he was wrong. Morally, he was definitely correct. Laurel nodded. “Did you talk to Dr. Rox about her during your sessions?”
Davie jerked. “How do you know about Dr. Rox?”
“We have your phone records,” Huck said. “Answer the question.”
Davie’s shoulders slumped. “No. I didn’t want Sharon to get in trouble. Plus, I thought we might get back together.” He unfolded his arms. “Now we’ll never get the chance.” He turned to his mother. “I didn’t kill her, Mom. I really didn’t.”
“I know, honey.” She reached in and hugged him. “I do.”
Laurel watched the interplay.
He turned her way. “How did you find out about me and Sharon?”
“She took pictures,” Laurel said gently.
Davie frowned. “Pictures? When?”
“When you were together in her bedroom,” Huck said.
Davie’s jaw dropped. “There were sex pictures?” Panic had his eyes widening. “Mom, I didn’t know. I swear.”
“It’s true,” Laurel said quickly. “She took pictures of herself having sex with other people who were also unaware of the camera.”
