Augie could tell Leah was trying not to cry.
“He still feels sick about it. I do too. But I can understand. What was he going to do, go up against Josh Mike, who basically owned all of Aldon Lakes, on a hunch?”
Chat shook his head.
“He should have. Because in addition to everything, when he gotto Latvia, he was too depressed to play. He knew he didn’t deserve it. It ruined his relationship with Danika, too. It ruined his life. He thinks misery is what he deserves.”
“Maybe it is.” Leah turned to the darkened windows, the wetness in her eyes threatening to brim over her bottom lashes. She took a shuddered breath, like it was climbing a ladder.
Chat’s face look pained, too. He leaned forward.
“This is why”—Chat pivoted to Augie—“when I came across Danika’s post this summer, I knew I had to be here. To find someone to corroborate Trey’s story.”
“Why can’t Trey come forward now?” Leah snapped back, scowling. “And what about the key box? Why was it broken into if Joshua Mike gave them the code?”
“Exactly. Trey thinks Joshua Mike must have broken it the next morning to frame them. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
“We have to go to the police.” Leah stood halfway up.
“I know, I know. But look, Trey’s always been worried there’s not enough evidence to prove Josh Mike was on the boat.”
“Well, Trey needs to do something.Weneed to do something.”
“I’m trying, trust me. If I can find one more witness to support Trey’s story, it might work. Even if it’s too late to prosecute Josh Mike, at least it’s something. I think it would set Trey free. I think it would set you...” He glanced to Leah but trailed off.
“It’s what I’ve been focused on this summer,” he said, talking faster. “I was hoping I could solve everything before anyone found out who I was. Trey still doesn’t know I’m here. He’d be too freaked out about everything.”
“What do you mean one more witness?” Augie interjected.
“Yeah, seriously, Chat.” Leah was growing angrier. “How are we supposed find one more witness? No one saw them leave that night.And the marina cameras were conveniently out.” Leah went suddenly still. “Joshua Mike. Of course.”
Chat nodded as Leah sat down. A second later, he spoke again.
“Trey did tell me there was one other person that knew about the boat that night, who heard Josh Mike talking about it.” He paused. “Who might be able to help.”
“Who?” Leah said. “Who is it?”
“The bartender,” Chat said on an exhale.
Leah scoffed. “Oh great, how are we supposed to find some random bartender from The Manor from twelve years ago?”
Chat held still. “Because we know her.”
Leah looked to Augie, back to Chat.
“Who?” she said, exasperated—just as it clicked in Augie’s mind. At once, they all knew: Teuta.
31
The night after the luau, Danika dreamed of Trey. Even with the alcohol swirling in her head, the dream was vivid and bright, an inverse to the dark places her mind usually went when she was at her lowest. Still, the memories were fleeting, teasing.
There was the smell of fresh-cut grass, the gentle intonation of his voice. The day they drove to Millie Lacs Lake, stretched out on a blanket under the blue sky, kissed for the first time. Then, there were trips to the library; dinners with his parents; road trips to Canada; swimming at the local pool; drinking wine coolers and laughing more than she had in her life.
There was hockey, too—always hockey. The chilled, massive ice rinks; the way her fingers went numb as she cheered his name from behind scratched plexiglass. The way she wore Trey’s jersey like a badge of honor.
Danika had learned to skate with him, out on the pond up north. She’d cherished twirling in the freezing Minnesota woods, the air so cold, her breath puffed out of her mouth in small gray clouds, like blowing the seeds of a dandelion. Those nights, gliding across the ice, she’d never felt more loved. It had evened out the loss of her father, in a way. With Trey, she felt whole.
Finally, there was Riga, Latvia. Their small attic apartment; the sweet, cobblestoned city. A shining amber necklace.
