Scout blinked at me, at a loss.
“What exactly did they hear about Scout’s sister?” I asked. A thousand possibilities spun through my mind, none of them good.
“That she passed away from an accident at a party. A total tragedy. I hope you got my flowers, by the way.”
An accident.Where had that come from?
Haley’s voice lifted again. “Your label called me, Scout, and they’re ecstatic at the sales. They want another album from you ASAP, to capitalize on the momentum.”
“Capitalize,” Scout repeated.
“Obviously, they know you’re grieving,” Haley said, “so take as much time as you need. But the sooner you can get it together, the better.”
“Haley,” Scout said slowly, “I’m going to need to call you back.”
“Of course, why don’t you—”
Scout hung up.
Hard knocking rattled the front door.
Oh god. The police had finally come.
“Scout? Isabel?” said a deep voice from behind the door. “It’s Detective Sutherland.”
I clutched Scout’s arm. Together, we rose from the couch.
From the kitchen, Brooks beelined to the door.
“No, Brooks, wait,” I called, but it was too late. He swung it open, revealing Sutherland on our welcome mat, wearing a dark trench coat and a baseball cap. He was alone. Even after what we’d done to Alden, the police still thought of us as easy enough targets for Sutherland to bring in on his own.
The strangest defiance flared in me.
“Good evening,” said the detective, removing his hat and clutching it to his chest. “May I come in?”
Brooks waited for our reaction with his hand poised on the door.
“Of course,” Scout said, amazing me with the evenness of her voice.
“Brooks,” I whispered, as the detective shuffled past him. Unlike Scout’s, my voice was thick with dread. “Can you give us some privacy?” I couldn’t bear to see the look on his face when he realized what I’d done.
He met my eyes, and I saw the sting of surprise and betrayal. Herocked back for a moment, and then, without another word, slipped out the door. I had the sudden fear that I might not see him again.
Of course I wouldn’t. I would be in jail.
“Ladies.” Detective Sutherland stopped a few feet away, worrying the rim of his hat. “I apologize for intruding, but I have news I wanted to share in person.”
His careful distance and apologetic tone were wrong. Where were the handcuffs? I wanted so badly to look at Scout, but held myself in check.
Sutherland cleared his throat. “Alden Banks was found dead in his home last night.”
“What?” I cried. The ground spun. I staggered backward into the couch.
Scout swayed but stayed upright. “He— How?” Her voice was raspy.
Sutherland bent his hat in half. “His family found him in the pool house. He hanged himself. We expect the media to pick up the story, given his father’s stature, but we aren’t sure if they’ll connect Alden’s death to your sister’s. You should brace yourselves, just in case.” He nodded at Scout. “As far as the LAPD is concerned, the two cases are connected.”
My heart raced so fast. I couldn’t process my disbelief. It lived in my veins as pure adrenaline.
