Page 79 of Sinister

My brows furrow. “Yes . . . that he’s dead. And . . . the rest. Whatever the rumors say,” I finish lamely.

“You had a class with him last semester, right?” Phil continues.

“Yes, we were partners on a project.”

Fiona starts making notes on a small pad.

“You two must have spent some time together. Care to tell us more about him?” Her tone has changed into a brisk, interrogative one.

“Sure. He was really smart, so he didn’t have to do a lot of work on his half of the assignment. But instead of taking it easy, he—” I break off for a bit as the memory hits a tender spot in my heart. “He helped me with my portion of the project as well. And he never took credit for that either.”

The detectives are nodding as I narrate. “And can you tell us about his other friends?” Phil asks when I fall silent. “Did he have any bullies or rivals or . . .”

“Or someone else who wanted him dead?” I blurt out and immediately reprimand myself. Being a smartass with the cops isn’t advisable.

“Yeah,” Fiona says with a little chuckle. “Something exactly like that.”

“Honestly, I don’t remember anyone being mean to him,” I reply to the best of my recollection. “He was a good guy and had his own friend group. We barely hung outside of the project, so I couldn’t tell you much about his social life either.”

At this point, Principal Rhodes steps forward, clearing his throat. “Petra, sometimes the smallest details can help. So try your best to remember, will you? Even if something seemed insignificant at the time, it could be important now.”

“No,” I say, shaking my head slowly. “He seemed fine the last time we talked, but that was . . . months ago. I didn’t know he had dropped out until this week.” I shrug.

“Did you notice anything unusual about him recently?” Phil asks next. “Anything out of the ordinary?”

I wrack my brain for anything that might help.

“He did mention once that his parents were strict, and he felt pressured by them to succeed. But I can’t imagine how that can be connected to something like this.”

Fiona’s eyes narrow slightly. “Following up on that, did he ever mention feeling threatened or scared?”

“Not to me, he didn’t,” I reply with a sigh. “We weren’t really that close.”

“But just now you said he spoke to you about his parents?” Phil points out.

“So? Doesn’t mean he had to confide everything to me,” I snap back, feeling testy by now. They could be out talking to the kids Edwin actually hung out with instead of grilling me, but that’s how cops work, I guess.

The detectives must have sensed the change in my tone and mood, because Fiona adds, “I know this must be very difficult, Petra, but we want to find the culprit as soon as possible. So, why don’t you tell us everything you know?”

She has put on a pleasant expression meant to pacify me, but it’s fake as shit, and two can play this game.

“I already told you everything I know,” I reply in a harsh voice. “And again, I haven’t even spoken to him in months, so I fail to see why I have been summoned away from my classes to speak to law enforcement officers. In the absence of a guardian or an attorney, that, too,” I address the last barb at Principal Rhodes, who knows the exact figure the school stands to lose if my parents learned how their daughter has been treated today.

Mr. Rhodes looks abashed while the detectives exchange another look before Fiona puts away her writing pad. “We understand how you feel, Petra,” Phil begins in a sugary tone that annoys me to no end. “All we ask is that you let us know if you recall anything else that can help.”

“We can tell that you admired him, Petra,” Fiona adds gently, though my hackles are still raised against her. “And we know you want to help us find whoever did this to him.” She stops and looks me in the eye. In that moment, I know I can trust her.

“Yes,” I reply shakily. “I do.”

“Good, here are my details. Call me if you remember anything.” Fiona hands me a small card with her name and number on it.

“I will.” I carefully put away the card in my bag and nod at her and Phil.

“Thank you, Petra. You’ve been very helpful,” Phil says in a final-sounding tone, and I know the interrogation is over. For now.

As Principal Rhodes walks me to the door, he says, “Take care, Petra. I hope there are no hard feelings? Please remember that, given the circumstances, I must cooperate with the police.”

“It’s all right, Mr. Rhodes,” I reply in a weary tone.