I look up at him. "What they said about me....it's not true. Kristen's dad made me sound like a crazy person but I swear, that's not me. And Kristen isn't the angel her dad made her out to be on TV today. She lied all the time. She'd tell Jackson one thing and me another. I don't know what she was up to before she died but something was going on."
"Something that would lead to her murder?"
"Maybe. I don't know. I just know Jackson didn't do it."
"And you're sure he was no longer seeing her?"
"I guess I can't say for sure." I pause, thinking of Axl and how sure I was he'd never cheat. And then he did.
"What else can you tell me?" Roman asks. "Can you think of anything that could prove Jackson's innocence?"
My mind immediately thinks of what Kristen said about her dad. About how he strangled her that night she came running to Jackson. When I asked her about it, she made it sound like it was some kind of foreplay used by Principal Edwards when the two of them had sex. But what if it wasn't? What if the story she told Jackson was true? What if Principal Edwards reallywastrying to hurt her? Even so, it couldn't have been him who killed her. He was home last night.
"Rumor?" Roman says, getting my attention. "Is there anything else?"
"I can't think of anything. But if I do, could I call you?"
He reaches in his pocket and pulls out a business card and hands it to me.
"I don't usually pick up, but my assistant checks my voicemail. I'll make sure she knows to tell me you called." He stands up. "I need to get going. If you think of anything else—anything that might help Jackson—please let me know."
"I will." I follow him to the door. "Is your wife here too?"
"She's at our house in LA. She struggles with these types of situations. It worsens her anxiety."
"So she won't be coming to see Jackson?"
"She might. It'll depend on how things go."
"Roman." Brock races up behind me. "Leaving so soon?"
"Yes. I need to head down to the police station."
Brock chuckles. "We've spent an inordinate amount of time there the past year, haven't we?"
Roman looks at him, annoyed. "I don't know why that's humorous."
"It's not," Brock rushes to say. "I was just trying to lighten the mood. It's been stressful having the police back in our lives. I thought this issue with Andrea was over and now it's suddenly back again."
"What do you plan to do?" Roman asks.
"I have my lawyers dealing with it, like last time. I'm sure it'll all work out. The police just need to satisfy Andrea's parents. They're still choosing to believe their little princess would never get drunk enough to fall over a railing. They feel better when they can blame someone. How about you? Have you hired lawyers for Jackson?"
"In the Reynolds' case, yes. For the Andrea case, he hired them himself. But the police still haven't questioned him about that." Roman checks his phone. "It's almost ten. I need to go."
"Yes, of course." Brock smiles. "Will you be staying in town?"
"For the time being, yes."
"Perhaps we could meet for dinner one night."
"Brock, I know you want the part but now is not the time. I've halted casting until I have this under control."
Brock nods really fast. "Yes. I completely understand. I'll tell Gunnar to stop pestering you," he says with a laugh. "We'll see you later!"
Roman goes out to the driveway and gets in his car, a shiny silver Mercedes. He pulls out of the driveway and speeds off.
"What do you think?" Brock asks as he closes the door.
