"Do you know my uncle?" I ask Roman.
"We're in the same industry so yes, we've crossed paths but I haven't actually worked with him."
"You're a movie director, right?"
"I am. Just started work on a new film. We're currently doing casting. I was in LA when I got the call this morning." He points to the couch. "Shall we sit?"
We both take a seat. He sits like Jackson does, tall and straight, his long legs nearly hitting the coffee table as he turns toward me.
I miss Jackson so much. My heart is hurting for him. Aching to be with him. He's alone in some jail cell, waiting to find out what'll happen to him. Accused of murder. Probably thinking he'll be locked up for life.
"Rumor?"
I startle from my thoughts and realize I didn't hear anything Roman just said.
"Sorry," I say. "What were you saying?"
"I asked if you know anything about what happened last night. I want you to tell me the truth. This is just between us. I won't share this with the police."
Does he really think I'd believe that? I just met the guy. I trust him as much as I trust Brock, which is not at all.
"There isn't much to say. Jackson and I met up at a party, he took me to San Diego to get something to eat, then he took me home."
"And you didn't hear from him after that?"
"He called me but we didn't talk long. I was tired and he said he needed to—" I stop, remembering what Jackson said last night about the security cameras being broken. What if it wasn't the wind that did it? What if whoever killed Kristen broke the cameras?
"Needed towhat?" Roman says. "Finish what you were saying."
"Do you know what time it happened?" I ask. "Did the police tell you?"
"No. They haven't told me anything. Why?"
"Your water," Brock says, appearing beside Roman and handing him a bottle of water.
"Thank you," Roman says, not even looking Brock's way. "Continue what you were saying."
I glance at Brock. "Could you give us a minute?"
Brock chuckles. "Rumor, you know you can say anything in front of me. We have no secrets in this family."
Is he for real? This family is nothing BUT secrets.
Roman turns to Brock. "I'd like to speak with her in private."
"Of course," Brock says, backing away. "I'll be in my office. Let me know when you're leaving. I'll see you out."
We wait for Brock to leave.
"He's hoping to get a part," Roman says, opening his bottle of water. He smiles for the first time since he got here. "Actors are so transparent. They think I can't tell they're acting when they turn on the charm like that but they overdo it and give themselves away."
"Do you mean a part in your next movie?"
"Yes." He takes a drink. "We had a meeting scheduled in LA for next week. I agreed to meet with Brock and his agent as a favor to—" He pauses. "Let's just forget that last part. Please. Go back to what you were saying. You talked to Jackson last night and he told you something."
"He said the security cameras weren't working. He said he heard noises out back but when he went to check the cameras, they were broken. They weren't recording. He was going to try to fix them. "
"He knows how?" Roman asks, sounding surprised.
