Ramirez exhaled. “Ms. King, we don’t believe you killed Thayer Holt. But we do think Vince Furlough has been managing this narrative from the beginning.” He glanced at Nolan before looking back at her. “And we think he’s been doing it for a long time.”
Rowan looked out at the mountains beyond the fence line.
She’d known that already. She’d known it watching him with Thayer, and she’d known it every mile of the drive across the country.
But hearing it said out loud by someone with a badge didn’t bring relief.
It brought the sharp, heavy weight of knowing that whatever came next would be harder than what had come before.
CHAPTER 42
As soon asRamirez closed his notebook, Wes released a breath.
He’d stood back through most of the conversation, letting Rowan carry the weight of the questions the way she’d needed to. But that hadn’t made it easy to watch.
Every inquiry the detectives pressed her on, every moment she’d had to reach back into that memory and pull out something she’d been trying to outrun—he’d felt each one land.
He had to give her credit: She’d held up better than most people would have.
She’d even mentioned the files Lauren had referenced. But she hadn’t said any names. Said she was waiting to hear more information.
Nolan capped her pen and looked at Rowan evenly. “We’ll need you to review and sign a formal statement before we leave.”
“Of course,” Rowan said.
“And going forward, if you leave this property to stay somewhere else, we need to be informed of your whereabouts,” Nolan continued.
Rowan nodded once. “Understood.”
Ramirez glanced at Wes, gave him a nod, then looked back to Rowan. “If anything else surfaces, I expect a call.”
He handed her a card.
“You’ll get one,” Rowan said.
“Especially if you hear back from your contact with that evidence,” Nolan added.
“Got it.”
Rowan reviewed the paperwork and signed it. Then the detectives headed back to their SUV. Wes watched them go, tracking the vehicle until the sound of gravel faded into the trees beyond.
The silence that followed felt different from the silence before they’d arrived. Heavier in some places. Lighter in others.
Caleb appeared at Wes’s shoulder. He’d been quiet through the end of it, leaning against the porch railing with his arms crossed. Now he straightened and watched the road a moment longer before glancing at Wes.
“Don’t forget,” he started. “You’ve still got that meeting today.”
He drew in a sharp breath. He’d almost forgotten. “I’ll cancel it.”
“Don’t.” Caleb shook his head. “We’re okay here. Micah’s got people running past the property. Our guests are settled.”
“I don’t even have a truck.”
He pulled some keys from his pocket. “You can take mine.”
Wes started to argue again.
“Besides,” Caleb continued, “Rowan needs to talk to her family.”
