"You're wearing it now. Put it on and meet us in the living room. And fix your hair. Wear it down and straight. You have ten minutes."
I hate following his orders. I'm only going along them because he's been through this before with Braden so might actually know what he's doing.
When I get to the living room, Ms. Wietz is waiting with Brock. We go outside to a black SUV that I'm assuming belongs to Ms. Wietz.
"Let's practice," Brock says to me on our way there. "Where were you last night around eleven o'clock?"
I sigh. "I was at my house. In my room." I roll my eyes. "This is stupid. If they ask Jackson, he'll tell them he didn't drop me off untilaftereleven. They'll know one of us is lying."
"If they're specific about the time, you tell them you can't remember."
"And if they ask you something that wasn't in the script," Ms. Wietz says, "tell them you're choosing not to answer. They can't force you to give them information."
Brock continues to ask me questions, getting angry every time I mess up. There's no way I'm going to remember those scripted answers. I'm just going to go there and tell the truth.
We arrive at the police station just before three. A cop leads us to a room where a woman is waiting. I'd guess she's in her thirties, average height, athletic body, and short dark hair.
"Hello, Rumor," the woman says. "I'm Jillian. I'll be the one talking with you today."
She doesn't introduce herself to the lawyer or Brock, probably because she's already met them during Braden's questioning.
"Have a seat," she says. "Rumor, can I get you anything? Water? Soda?"
"No, I'm good."
The three of us sit across from her at a long table, with me in the middle. I feel like I'm on trial, my nerves making my chest feel tight. I take a breath.
"Let's start by talking about last night," Jillian says. "Please tell me where you were between eleven and midnight."
"I was home," I say, following the script. "In my room."
"Did you go out last night?"
"Yes. To a football game. And then I went out to eat."
"With who?"
"I went to the game with Trystan, my cousin."
"And after the game?"
I pause. "I was with Jackson. We went to get something to eat and then he dropped me off."
"Jackson Novak," she says. "Is that correct?"
"Yes," I say, sitting up straighter, forcing myself to calm down. The lawyer said to be confident and not to show fear because it'll come off as guilt.
"Tell me about your relationship with Mr. Novak."
"Jackson and I are dating."
"Were you aware he was seeing someone else?"
Why is she asking that? Did Jackson tell them he was still dating Kristen?
Washe?
Chapter Seven
