“Things changed when she went to college.” Macey’s tone lowers, alluding to the fact that things are getting more serious.
“Yeah, we unexpectedly lost our granddad that summer, and when we left for school, it was the first time we hadn’t live together, but that didn’t last long.”
“I’m sorry about your granddad. You guys had a lot of losses in a short time. That must have been really hard on both of you. I read you moved to be closer to her, right?”
“Yeah,” Harlyn murmurs softly.
“The story in your local paper after her death alluded to the fact that she was struggling at her new school, and you left everything behind to be closer to her,” Macey prompts. This is news to me. I didn’t have a chance to read through all the details in the file last night surrounding Hayzel’s life. I mostly focused on the case itself.
Harlyn plays down the meaningful gesture. “I wasn’t giving up much.”
“I’m not sure everyone would agree with you that leaving your own dream college behind isn’t giving up much.”
“Sometimes it takes getting what you think you want before you realize the idea was better than reality. I was happy to be with my sister.”
“I’m sure even more so now.” Macey’s eyelids lower a little in a show of emotion that doesn’t seem to be manufactured for the camera’s sake, which I was concerned about. I haven’t gotten a true sense of her motives. I’m sure this podcast venture started for the right reasons, but now that she’s received a bit of notoriety, the incentive might have changed.
“Yeah, especially now,” Harlyn agrees wistfully.
“Was there anything in particular that she was struggling with that brought you both back together?”
“I don’t thinkstrugglingis the right word. I would say we were both having some separation issues. Hayzel was used to being surrounded by people she knew and loved. Alpine was a new city. Granddad had passed, and I think the change all at once was a little jarring for her.”
“Understandable. Was Hayzel seeing anyone around the time of her death?” Macey accepts Harlyn’s answer easily enough and moves on, though I feel like there could be more to the story.
“Yes.”
Macey flips through some papers on her lap. “A young man by the name of Colten Scott, right? He was questioned by the police but was never considered a person of interest. How do you feel about that?”
“How do I feel about him being questioned, or about the fact that he had nothing to do with it?” Harlyn eyes the other woman. If I’m reading her response correctly, this question seems to irritate her.
Macey doesn’t react to Harlyn’s mood shift. “Either or both, I guess.”
“I’m glad he was questioned, we all were. I want the police to learn every detail they can, but I feel bad that people assume he had something to do with it just because it’s always the boyfriend or husband in these cases. Clearly, that’s not really true. Colten is a good guy, and he didn’t have anything to do with Hayzel’s murder.”
“You feel strongly about that,” Macey interjects.
“Yeah, I do, and it isn’t just because I don’t think he’s capable, which is true, but he also has a rock-solid alibi the police verified.” Harlyn tips her chin down while her brows rise in a show of conviction.
“Did he have any insight into who might have wanted to hurt your twin sister?” Macey’s mention of their close, familial relationship isn’t necessary, but it serves as a reminder to those tuning in to keep them engaged. Why didn’t I seem to notice these same little tactics yesterday, even though she used the same strategies while talking about my case and the few others I listened to while prepping for this interview?
“No, at least not that I know of. He never said anything to me, and I can’t really imagine anyone wanting to hurt Hayzel.”
“So no enemies or scorned exes in the picture?”
“No. Like I said, she wasn’t perfect, but she was loved.” The stiff set of Harlyn’s shoulders eases a little.
“That idea contradicts the police’s theory though, right? The Alpine Police Department believes that Hayzel was killed by someone she knew.”
“Yeah.” Harlyn sighs and shakes her head.
“However, you made it clear in our initial interview that you don’t think that’s the case. You believe your twin was murdered by a serial killer.”
Harlyn’s lips part just enough for me to see the tip of her tongue moving back and forth behind her bottom teeth. Her light eyes drift in my direction, where they remain when she answers, “No, Iknowmy sister was murdered by a serial killer.”
CHAPTER 7
Harlyn
