"You let me worry about that," Brock says.
The doorbell rings. We all freeze, our eyes going between each other.
"Keep quiet," Brock says. "And don't leave this room."
The door rings again and Brock hurries to answer it.
It's the cops. I know it is. I can feel it. But why are they here? Is it because of me? Do they think I'm somehow involved in this?
I hear Brock at the door. "Hello, officer. How can I help you?"
Chapter Two
Trystan's eyes bounce between Braden and me, as if he's trying to figure out which one of us the cop is here to see.
The officer says something to Brock.
"Of course," Brock says. "Come on in."
"Hope you like handcuffs," Braden says to me, a smirk on his face.
"Maybe they're here for YOU," I whisper.
"Shut up!" Trystan whispers.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Brock says, his voice sounding like he's just steps away from the living room. Why did he let the cop in the house? Couldn't they talk at the door?
"At this point we're just letting the neighbors know what happened," the cop says. "Once we begin the investigation, we may be coming back to question people."
"I understand," Brock says. "Please let us know if we can be of assistance."
The officer clears his throat. "Mr. Halliway, I'm sure you're aware that I know what's going on with your son. I haven't been directly involved but I've read the case. Given what's happened to Ms. Reynolds and her previous relations with your son, Iwouldlike to ask him some questions. Is he around?"
"I'm afraid that won't be possible," Brock says.
"I could come back later. When will he be available?"
"Officer, I can assure you Braden had nothing to do with this. He'll be just as shocked as the rest of us to learn of her death."
"While that may be the case, I still need to ask him some questions. When would he be available to talk?"
"I don't see why he would need to. My son wasn't even home last night. He played football, then went to some parties."
"Do you know what time he arrived home?"
"Officer, please don't take this the wrong way but I'm getting rather tired of your department coming after my son every time there's a crime in the area."
"Mr. Halliway, this isn't about some teenagers breaking a window or shoplifting. This is a murder investigation. The second one involving a girl from Twisted Pine who dated your son."
Brock huffs. "A young man goes out with a girl a few times and suddenly he's a suspect in her murder?"
"I didn't say that. I simply asked to speak with him. He might have information that could lead us to her killer."
"She was found at the home of Jackson Novak. Seems you've already found your killer."
"She wasn't actually in his house. She was found behind it. On the beach. Anyone could've placed her there."
"And by anyone, you mean who exactly?"
