Lawyers set the alarm off. Cops arrived before I could shut it off.
I breathe a sigh of relief and text back.
I thought they were arresting you.
Need to go. Meeting with the lawyers.
Why is this happening? If the cops already ruled Andrea’s death an accident, why are they looking into it again? What evidence would be strong enough for them to reopen the case?
Brock’s voice booms from the other room. “Were either of you in my office? Answer me! Now!”
Shit. Trystan’s going to tell him I was in there.
I swing open my door and walk out to the living room. “What’s with all the yelling? I’m trying to study.”
“Were you in my office?” Brock asks.
I glance at Trystan. “No. Why?”
“Something isn’t right with my desk. The top drawer has been damaged somehow.”
“Wasn’t me,” Braden says.
Trystan’s eyes go to mine. “Me either.”
“I’ve been in my room,” I say.
I wait for Trystan to tell on me. He opens his mouth like he’s about to, but then doesn’t.
“I’vehadit with her!” Brock yells, breathing through his nose like he does when he’s angry. “Maria is fired. I’ve told her a million times not to go in my office, and she not only goes in there, she breaks my desk.”
“She didn’t do it,” I blurt out.
“Then who did?” His brows draw together. “Was it you? Were you lying just now?”
“No. I’m just saying Maria would never do that. She needs this job. She’d never do something to risk losing it.”
“How wouldyouknow?” Braden asks. “You just met her.”
“I know she wouldn’t do something like that.” I look at Brock. “Maybe it broke when you tried to open it. I’ve had that happen with drawers before.”
“You’re sayingIdid this?”
I shrug. “I’m saying things break. It could have nothing to do with you. It might have just been a faulty drawer.”
“Was anything missing?” Braden asks.
“Yes, actually.” Brock’s eyes dart to me. “A business card.”
“That’s it?” Braden says. “Big deal. All that shit’s on the web anyway.”
“Exactly, which makes me wonder why someone would take it.” He’s still looking at me. “Any theories, Rumor?”
“Why are you asking me? I don’t know why someone would take it. I don’t think they did. I’m guessing it fell on the floor or got tossed in the trash.”
“Yes.” He smirks. “You’re probably right.”
He thinks I did it. That smirk and the intense look he’s giving me tell me he knows. So what’s he going to do about it?
