Page 52 of East

The detective writes in his notebook. “Okay. Did he often fight with your stepmother when he was drinking?”

“I guess so. I never thought much of it. It usually wasn’t an issue.”

“But this means you were one of the last people to see him alive.”

I swallow. “As far as I know.”

“Had he been acting out of the ordinary?”

“Not that I can remember.”

“Right.” The detective looks over his notes. “Would you describe your relationship with your stepfather as positive?”

I frown. “Positive in what way?”

“Were you happy that your stepmother married him?”

I cross my arms. “I was happy there was someone else to help around the farm. Emmy and I were in pretty bad shape when Bill came along.”

“Did you and Bill get along?”

I draw in a breath.

No. We didn’t get along at all.

As abusive as Emmy got after Daddy died, it was nothing compared to what I dealt with at my stepfather’s hands.

But when a man dies under uncertain circumstances, you don’t dredge that shit up.

Because it makes you look suspicious.

I’ve watched enough reruns of Law and Order to know the best move is to keep my mouth shut.

“Yes, we did. We fought sometimes, but the normal amount.”

“What did you fight about?”

“Chores. Doing homework. What to watch on TV, that sort of thing.”

“But nothing serious?”

Another slow breath. “No. Nothing serious.”

“How did you feel when you found out he had died?”

Fucking overjoyed. Glad the planet wouldn’t have to waste one more atom of oxygen on his worthless, abusive existence.

“I’m…devastated.” I fake a sniffle and dab a tissue in the corner of a bone-dry eye.

“I’m sorry…what?” I ask.

“I don’t feel comfortable discussing any more details with you here, ma’am,” Officer King says. “I’ll need you to come with me in private.”

“Am I being arrested?” I ask.

“Of course not. We just have a few questions.”

Aus stands up. “I’m coming with her.”