Had she been in contact with Salvatore’s children?
The thought of Roma contacting Joe made Salvatore’s heart race. “What do you think happened to Lucy Masterson?” he asked.
“Clearly, she was an addict,” said Roma. “I think she OD’d.”
“Did you sell her the drugs?”
Roma’s lip curled. “Why would I sell drugs? My parents buy me whatever I want.”
Salvatore looked at her. “Because you wanted Bobcat to yourself?” he ventured.
“Please,” said Roma.
“Who do you think sold her drugs?” said Salvatore.
“Charlie’s the only one who doesn’t have money,” saidRoma. “I don’t know—maybe he took my phone. He has a sad old phone with a cracked screen.”
“Anything else? I’d really appreciate your insight here, Roma.”
“I see what you’re doing,” said Roma.
“What am I doing?”
“You’re trying to appeal to me, win me over by asking my opinion.”
Salvatore laced his fingers across his belly. “Or,” he said, “I really don’t know what happened to Lucy Masterson. And you might have insight I don’t have, so I’m using you to get it.”
“What if I’m using you right back?” said Roma, a smile playing at the corners of her lips that made Salvatore’s stomach turn.
“So you think Charlie took your phone and sold drugs to Lucy…then took her swimming and watched her sink? Or tried to save her but failed?”
“Yeah,” said Roma. “I guess. All I know is that Charlie needs money, and none of the rest of us do.”
“OK,” said Salvatore, standing. “Thank you.”
“Can I go now?” said Roma.
Salvatore turned before leaving her alone in the room. “Oh, no,” he said. “You’re not going anywhere.”
“You’ll be sorry,” said Roma.
“Thank you for your time,” said Salvatore, closing the door behind him, happy to be out of her presence.
Someone had planted the phone, Salvatore knew. But the evidence was clear and simple: Roma Brownson had sold drugs to Lucy Masterson, who had died of an overdose.
All Salvatore had to do was nothing and the case would be solved.
-9-
Whitney
WHITNEY TOOK THE QUIZwhen Roma was five years old. She found it in a magazine.She was halfway through a strong cup of coffee and the nanny had just arrived to play with the twins. She grabbed a pencil from the mug on her desk and curled up on the couch.
IS YOUR CHILD A FUTURE PSYCHOPATH?
1.Is your child cruel to animals?
Many future serial killers express their anger using animals. Look at the below photo of Jeffrey Dahmer—who went on to receive fifteen life sentences—as a little boy with his kitten. He has his hand around the kitten’s neck!
