“What happened?” she asked, tears springing into her eyes as she lifted her gaze to the horrific sight of Heidi swaying in the breeze with people working around her.
Zach looked at Cass, his face washed out, his eyes wild. He tried to speak and found he couldn’t. Cass let him go and stepped back, fear showing on her face. He wanted to reassure her, but had nothing left to give.
The sergeant didn’t miss the interaction. It probably made Zach look even more guilty.
Above the low buzz of radios, a distant thrum cut through the soundscape. Cass flinched and looked up.
“Is that—” she began.
The helicopter grew louder, blades chopping the morning air. Within minutes, Air Rescue 5 came into view, circling the scene before moving out to land at the helipad. It wouldn’t take them too long to reach the crime scene. It was a small town.
There were more questions, but Zach wouldn’t remember any of them. He was still in shock. He was almost relieved when, through the chaos, two LA County homicide detectives pushed through. This time, there was no pretending it was a one and done.
Durante moved away from Zach to meet them, gesturing toward the taped-off path and the tower. One detective shot Zach a quick, assessing look, but didn’t break stride. Suddenly, the island investigation no longer belonged to Catalina alone.
“We need to head to the station for more questioning,” Durante said when he returned. He looked at Cass. “You, too.”
“Me? I don’t know anything,” Cass said, horrified.
“You know Zach,” Durante said. His gaze sharpened. “And this is the second murder you’ve shown up to.”
“Everyone is talking about it in town,” Cass said. “I was walking, and then I heard Zach’s name and wanted to check to make sure he was okay.” Her shoulders dropped. “But, of course, I’ll come.”
“Good,” the sergeant said.
Zach knew trying to fight this would be foolish. The last thing he was going to do was argue. He looked back at the tower one more time, his mind looping the same thought over and over again.
She’s dead. She’s dead because she met me.
He turned away and let the deputies walk him to their vehicle, Cass a few steps behind. Whispers rippled through the crowd when he and Cass slid into the backseat of the cruiser. The window sat cracked open a few inches. Cass hugged the door on her side. He tried to tune out the voices but couldn’t help but hear.
Didn’t he find the first body, too?
I don’t know, but he was there at the scene.
He’s a builder. He’s in places no one else can go.
Maybe he likes breaking things more than fixing them.
I think he did it.
No way. It’s Zach.
Then who?
I don’t know, but maybe it’s time to leave.
The tower bells groaned once more, the sound filled with grief. It was a perfect sound to send them away. As the cruiser turned and began its way down the hill, he saw Harmony and Mary off to the side, watching. They both looked composed—maybe a little too composed. What in the hell was happening?
It didn't take long to reach the sheriff's station, which smelled of burnt coffee and damp paper. Zach and Cass were led to different rooms. Zach sat in a hard-backed chair, clothesstreaked with dirt. A disposable cup of water sat on the table. He didn’t touch it. He clasped his hands together and waited.
Every sense was turned too high. The clock ticked too loudly. The hum of the overhead light vibrated straight into his skull. His skin itched. The brightness of the room burned his eyes. The smells made him sick. If he looked out of the corner of his eye, he could almost swear he saw Heidi’s ghost in the room with him.
Sergeant Durante walked in and sat opposite him. “Let’s start over, Zach.”
“I’ve told you all I know,” Zach said, his voice raspy from overuse. He was a private man who didn’t talk much. He’d already used his voice more this morning than he normally did in a full day.
“Tell me again,” Durante said, his tone neutral, but authoritative. “How long were you there before we arrived?”
