“Did anyone see you there? Can anyone back you up?”
“Kyle knows.”
“When did Watts get back?”
“It was just after three. We got into his car and drove up to the Falls, where we climbed until it got too dark. Then we came home and ordered pizza, like I said. We were home the rest of the night.”
“Where did Watts go?”
Riggs’ gaze dropped to the table. “He went to score the coke.”
“You didn’t go with him?”
Riggs shook his head. “I never go. The dude he buys from doesn’t want to work with anyone he doesn’t know.”
“Do you know who this person is or where he lives—which city?”
“Nah, man. Kyle has never told me his name.”
“How long have you known Watts?”
“I don’t know—about five years, I guess. Kyle had just gotten out of the army and wanted to learn to climb.”
“Where did you meet?”
“We met at a party, I think.”
Deputy Marcs tapped on the window.
“One last thing.” Darius closed his notepad. “Did you show your face to that trail cam to prove to us that you were at the Falls?”
Riggs looked confused. “No. Why would I do that? I didn’t know anyone was going to see it.”
The kid was talking, so Darius decided he deserved a reward. “Do you need anything to drink, a trip to the restroom before we go on?”
Riggs shook his head. “We’re not finished?”
Darius stood, ready to compare notes with Marcs. “Not yet.”
It wasdark when Sasha awoke. Feeling disoriented after a deep sleep, she carefully got out of her chair and made her way downstairs, turning on the lights as she went. She got a drink of water and closed the blinds in the living room, shutting out the dark. Then she settled on the sofa to check her social media.
She’d been dreading this, some part of her afraid of what she might see online. That’s exactly why she needed to do it. She couldn’t let fear get the better of her. No matter what anyone had posted, they couldn’t hurt her through her phone.
She scrolled through the responses, the overwhelming majority of which were kind and supportive. People from around the world wished her a speedy recovery, some of them fellow climbers and some fans.
I’m so sorry to hear about your accident! You’re such a role model for me. I’m sixteen and just started climbing.
Feel better, champ! We’ll be cheering you on next year when you clinch that title once more.
So sorry! You’re the greatest, and you’ll be back. For now, just heal.
The tension slowly left Sasha’s body as she went from one social media platform to another, soaking in the good wishes and kind words. Yes, there were a handful of hateful posts, too, but most of them were puerile and ridiculous. Spread her legs?
Not for you, scumbag.
A knock at the door made Sasha jump.
Good hand pressed against her ribs, she stood and walked to the door to find Nicole standing there, nose against the glass, Mocha, her six-month-old chocolate lab puppy, on a leash beside her.
