Zach flinched. “I don’t know why she was there. Neither do you. That’s why you’re pinning this on me.”
“We’re not trying to pin this on anyone,” Durante said. “We’re trying to get answers. The more we know from you, the better, since you seem to be the one person on this island who knew her . . . intimately.”
The silence stretched. The fluorescent light flickered, then steadied. Outside the room, someone laughed—wildly out of place.
Durante’s gaze dropped to Zach’s hands. “You have a lot of scratches.”
“I work with wood, wire, and tools daily. I always have scratches,” Zach said, barely stopping himself from rolling his eyes. He nearly pointed out that the people with no scratches or bruises probably sat on their asses all day, eating donuts and feeling superior. He didn’t think that would go too well.
They stared at each other again. Zach knew innocent people went to jail, maybe less often than before, but it still happened. Was he going to get framed for this? And what in the hell could he do about it?
Nothing.
“You’ve been at both scenes, Zach. Do you see the problem here? First, Lisa, with no solid leads. Now this tourist shows up dead, and you just so happen to be her last contact.”
“I know it doesn’t look good,” Zach said. “But it’s a small island. I’m also working all over it. I’m in a lot of places.”
“Or maybe you’re there because something is wrong.”
Zach didn’t know how many times he needed to say he was innocent.
There was a commotion outside the door, followed by a knock. Durante looked irritated. The door opened, and Deputy Ciscel stood there, shifting uncomfortably. His eyes, though, told a different story. They were bright. Interested.
Cass stood beside him, flustered but determined. Behind them were Harmony and Mary. He glanced at Harmony and saw irritation. What was she thinking? Why irritation instead of horror? He wasn’t sure.
“This has gone on long enough,” Mary said, determination in her eyes. “Did you offer him an attorney?”
Durante glared. “You a lawyer now, Mary?”
“I’m someone who knows Zach, and his character,” she shot back, “and someone who knows how inefficient the law is here on the island.”
Durante flinched. The scandal of the loss of Mary’s daughter still hung heavy over Avalon and always would.
“Character doesn’t seem to mean much lately around here,” Durante said.
“Zach was with us last night at Coyote Joe’s, so he couldn’t have done this,” Harmony said.
“Was he with you until dawn?” Durante countered.
“He was with us for long enough,” Harmony said.
“And then I bet all of you were all alone in the early hours of the morning?” Durante said coldly.
“As most single people are,” Harmony replied, looking at him with disgust.
Mary stepped closer, her voice low and deadly. “You should be very careful about who you accuse of things, Sergeant. In this place, the devil looks more like a friend to many of you.”
Behind her, one of the LA County detectives appeared in the doorway, watching Zach the way people watch a puzzle they’re not sure how to solve yet. He didn’t interrupt. Not yet. But he was listening.
Durante had nothing he could hold Zach—or any of them—on. Not yet. It wasn’t over, though, not by a long shot.
“I think we have enough for now,” he said at last. He paused, looking at each of them in turn. “Don’t any of you plan on leaving the island. This investigation is just beginning. County’s fully involved now.”
“Wasn’t planning on going anywhere,” Cass muttered. “It’s paradise here.”
Zach stood, his knees a bit shaky. The sound of the chair scraping against the cement floor made everyone flinch. He was wrecked. Cass stepped forward and touched his arm.
“Let’s get out of here.” There was still a trace of fear in her eyes, but she was fighting it.
