“Everyone on this island seems to have a story,” Hale noted.
Tosh gave a humorless laugh. “That’s because everyone takes turns with everyone else on this island.”
“You have a pretty low opinion of your friends,” Hale said.
“No, I’m simply realistic. A lie’s still a lie, even if you dress it up.”
Vega leaned in slightly. “We’ll figure this out. Sometimes confessing your sins saves you time.”
“I confess daily,” Tosh said. His expression didn’t waver.
Thirty minutes later, and his story didn’t change. They finally let him go.
They called in Cass next.
She walked in nervously, twisting her hair, sweat shining above her collarbone. She hated everything about the room.
“Did you see Lisa leave the bonfire alone?” Vega asked.
“I . . . um . . . I think so. I mean, she was dancing, and we were all watching. She was so smooth. Then she was just . . . gone.” Cass swallowed. “There was so much going on that it’s hard to remember.”
“In an early report, you told officers you saw a shadow near the water,” Hale said, voice clipped.
Cass blinked several times. “That was weeks ago. Maybe I saw something. Maybe I didn’t. I don’t remember.”
“Are you hiding anything?” Hale asked.
Cass shook her head, tears forming. “I didn’t do anything. I just can’t remember everything.” Cass wiped her palms on her jeans, the fabric already damp from nerves.
Hale and Vega exchanged a look. They didn’t think she was their killer—but innocence was a great costume for a cold-blooded killer.
“All of this started happening right after you and your cousin arrived on the island,” Vega pointed out.
Cass swallowed. “Should I have a lawyer for this?”
“I certainly would,” Hale said.
Cass’s face went blank, like she’d been slapped.
“Then . . . I think I’ll get one.” She fled the room.
The two detectives put their heads together for everyone outside the window to see. Cass’s name hadn’t really come up on their suspect list, but maybe they’d been foolish to leave her out.
Zach entered next. His shoulders filled the doorway. His expression was unreadable. He didn’t sit until Hale gestured. Then he took his time.
“You’ve been at the scene of all three bodies,” Hale said.
“Yep, unfortunately.”
“You also ran away when Lisa’s body was found,” Vega noted.
“I ran to get help. No cell service at Descanso.” He kept his answers short. Unfortunately, he was getting good at playing the game.
“Reports show that it took over an hour for you to return. What were you doing during that time?” Hale asked.
“The station’s across town. It took a while.”
“It doesn’t take an hour to get there and back. We walked it,” Vega said.
