["ADAM\tMORGAN I still\t feel\t uneasy\t about\t the\t way\t things\t happened\t last\t night\t with\t Sarah\t and Sheriff\tStevens.\tHe\tscurried\toff\tquick,\tand\tthen\tshe\tdid\ttoo.\tWhat\twere\tthey in\t a\t hurry\t to\t do?\t Go\t see\t each\t other?\t I\t need\t to\t stop\t thinking\t like\t this.\t It consumed\t my\t thoughts\t until\t I\t fell\t asleep\t and\t then\t it\t consumed\t my\t dreams.\t I dreamt\tthat\tSarah\tand\tSheriff\tStevens\twere\thaving\tan\taffair\u2014that\the\tfucked\ther in\t the\t back\t of\t his\t police\t car\t after\t they\t left\t here.\t But\t Sarah\t wouldn\u2019t\t do\t that. She\u2019s\t not\t that\t type\t of\t girl,\t at\t least\t I\t don\u2019t\t think\t she\t is.\t I\t think\t back\t to\t the\t first night\tI\tmet\ther\tin\tthat\told\tdingy\tcollege\tbasement.\tShe\twas\tbored\tin\tthe\tmiddle of\t a\t raging\t party.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t care\t to\t overindulge\t in\t drinks,\t try\t drugs,\t and\t she barely\t had\t any\t interest\t in\t me.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t care\t what\t others\t thought\t of\t her.\t She was\t just\t her.\t And\t now,\t she\u2019s\t Sarah\t Morgan\u2014top\t defense\t attorney.\t What happened\t to\t the\t woman\t I\t fell\t in\t love\t with?\t What\t happened\t to\t the\t woman\t I married?\tShe\u2019s\ta\tstranger\tto\tme\tnow,\tand\tI\u2019m\tsure\tshe\u2019d\tsay\tthe\tsame\tabout\tme. Is\tour\tmarriage\tover?\tIs\tshe\tover\tme?\tI\tknow\tI\thad\tan\taffair,\tbut\tjust\tbecause I\tslept\twith\tsomeone\telse\tdoesn\u2019t\tmean\tI\tstopped\tloving\tmy\twife.\tOh\tGod.\tWhat the\tfuck\tam\tI\tsaying?\tWho\tam\tI\ttrying\tto\tconvince\tthat\tI\u2019m\tstill\ta\tgood\tperson?\tI know\tI\u2019m\tnot.\tAnd\tclearly,\teveryone\telse\tdoes\ttoo,\tincluding\tmy\twife. I\tget\tup\tfrom\tthe\tcouch\tand\tcinch\tthe\tplaid\trobe\tI\u2019m\twearing\tover\ta\tpair\tof pajama\t pants\t and\t a\t white\t T-shirt.\t I\t don\u2019t\t even\t remember\t changing\t into\t PJs.\t I wonder\t for\t a\t second\t if\t Mom\t changed\t me\t and\t I\t roll\t my\t eyes\t knowing\t she probably\t did.\t Immediately,\t the\t smell\t of\t bacon\t invades\t my\t nose.\t Mom\t is standing\tat\tthe\tkitchen\tsink\tcleaning\tpans. \u201cSweetheart,\t you\u2019re\t up.\t There\u2019s\t a\t plate\t of\t bacon,\t eggs,\t toast,\t and\t hash browns\t on\t the\t counter,\t all\t of\t your\t favorite\t breakfast\t foods.\u201d\t She\t smiles\t and points\tat\tthe\tplate. I\tstumble\tinto\tthe\tkitchen\tand\tplunge\tmy\tfork\tinto\tthe\tfood,\tshoveling\tit\tinto","my\tmouth.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\teat\tlike\tthis\tin\tjail. \u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tdo\t some\t shopping\ttoday,\t and\t I\tneed\t to\t find\ta\t nearby\thotel.\u201d She\t turns\t off\t the\t faucet\t and\t dries\t her\t hands.\t \u201cAs\t much\t as\t I\t would\t love\t to\t stay here\t with\t you,\t that\t loveseat\t is\t just\t not\t up\t to\t my\t standards,\t and\t I\u2019m\t sure\t I\u2019m going\t to\t have\t to\t see\t a\t chiropractor\t today\t because\t of\t it.\u201d\t She\t rubs\t her\t back\t and then\tsets\ta\tcup\tof\tcoffee\tdown\tin\tfront\tof\tme. \u201cThese\t trials\t can\t go\t on\t for\t a\t long\t time.\u201d\t I\t take\t a\t bite\t of\t toast.\t \u201cYou\t can\t go back\tto\tConnecticut,\tMom.\u201d \u201cNonsense.\t You\u2019re\t my\t son,\t and\t this\t trial\t should\t be\t speedy\t because\t you\u2019re innocent.\t We\u2019ll\t see\t to\t it\t that\t Sarah\t gets\t this\t done\t quickly.\u201d\t She\t nods encouragingly\tat\tme. She\t picks\t up\t her\t purse\t and\t puts\t on\t her\t heels.\t \u201cJust\t call\t me\t if\t you\t need anything.\tI\u2019ll\tbe\tback\tlater\ttonight,\u201d\tshe\tsays\tplanting\ta\tkiss\ton\tmy\tcheek.\t\u201cLove you,\tcubbie-bear.\u201d \u201cLove\tyou\ttoo,\tMom.\u201d It\u2019s\ta\tlittle\tafter\t11am,\tand\tI\tdon\u2019t\teven\tknow\twhat\tto\tdo\twith\tmyself\tnow.\tIt\u2019s only\t been\t two\t hours\t since\t Mom\t left,\t and\t I\t already\t feel\t alone.\t A\t knock\t at\t the front\t door\t startles\t me.\t Through\t the\t peephole\t I\t see\t a\t petite\t woman\t with\t fire-red hair,\t hazel\t eyes,\t and\t a\t face\t full\t of\t freckles.\t She\t has\t a\t laptop\t bag\t hanging\t from her\t shoulder.\t I\t kind\t of\t recognize\t her,\t but\t not\t really.\t I\t decide\t to\t open\t the\t door anyway. \u201cHi.\t Are\t you\t Adam\t Morgan?\u201d\t She\t looks\t me\t up\t and\t down,\t surveying\t my disheveled\tappearance. \u201cDepends\t on\t who\u2019s\t asking.\u201d\t Knowing\t full\t well\t I\t don\u2019t\t care\t who\t is\t asking. I\u2019d\ttalk\tto\tjust\tabout\tanyone\tright\tnow,\tanyone\tthat\twould\tlisten. \u201cI\u2019m\t Rebecca\t Sanford.\t I\u2019m\t a\t reporter\t for\t the\t Prince\t William\t County Newspaper.\u201d I\tput\tup\tmy\thand,\thalting\ther\tfrom\tspeaking\tany\tmore.\t\u201cMy\tlawyer\tdoesn\u2019t want\tme\ttalking\tto\tany\treporters.\tSorry.\u201d\tI\tstart\tto\tclose\tthe\tdoor. She\tputs\ther\tfoot\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tdoor\tstopping\tme\tfrom\tclosing\tit.\t\u201cI\tknow. Mr.\tMorgan,\tI\u2019m\tjust\ta\tbig\tfan\tof\tyour\twork,\tand\tI\treally\twant\tto\tget\tyour\tside of\tthe\tstory.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019ve\tread\tmy\twork?\u201d She\t nods.\t \u201cI\t actually\t took\t the\t class\t on\t fiction\t writing\t you\t taught\t at\t the community\tcollege\tover\ta\tyear\tback.\u201d","After\twe\tbought\tthis\tlake\thouse,\tI\twas\tapproached\tto\tteach\ta\tclass\ton\twriting at\tthe\tlocal\tcommunity\tcollege.\tI\talmost\tsaid\tno\tbut\thad\tdecided\tteaching\tmight be\t a\t great\t career\t to\t fall\t back\t on\t since\t my\t writing\t was\t dead\t in\t the\t water.\t I\t only ended\tup\tteaching\tone\tsemester\tthough\tand\tthen\twent\tback\tto\tfull-time\twriting.\tI ended\t up\t overromanticizing\t the\t process\t as\t I\t despised\t most\t of\t my\t students\t and how\tlittle\tthey\tcared.\tPlus,\tin\tmost\tcases,\ttheir\twriting\twas\tfucking\tterrible\tand\ta chore\tto\tread. \u201cI\tthought\tyou\tlooked\tfamiliar,\u201d\tI\tsay,\talthough\tI\u2019m\tnot\tentirely\tconvinced. I\tlook\taround,\tleft,\tright\tand\tstraight\tahead\tto\tensure\tno\tone\tsees\tme\tlet\ther in.\t For\t all\t I\t know,\t Sarah\t has\t someone\t watching\t me.\t \u201cOkay,\t come\t on\t in.\u201d\t I gesture\tin\twith\ta\tflick\tof\tmy\twrist,\tand\tshe\tfollows.\t\u201cSo,\tyou\u2019re\ta\treporter?\tMy class\tmust\thave\tdone\tyou\tgood,\u201d\tI\tadd\twith\ta\tchuckle. She\tlets\tout\ta\tlittle\tlaugh. I\t tell\t her\t to\t have\t a\t seat\t at\t the\t kitchen\t table,\t and\t she\t does.\t She\t pulls\t out\t a notepad\t and\t pen.\t \u201cOkay,\t how\t long\t were\t you\t and\t Kelly\t Summers\t seeing\t each other?\u201d\tshe\tasks,\tgetting\tright\tto\tit. I\u2019ve\talready\tdecided\tthat\tif\tshe\twants\ta\tstory\tout\tof\tme,\tshe\u2019s\tgoing\tto\thave to\thelp\tme.\tI\tcan\tonly\tdo\tso\tmuch\tfrom\ta\tlake\thouse\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tnowhere. \u201cAh,\tah,\tah,\u201d\tI\tsay.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tgive\tyou\tan\tinterview,\tbut\tI\tneed\tsomething\tin\treturn.\u201d I\u2019m\tnot\tsure\tif\tI\tcan\ttrust\tthis\tgirl\tand\tthis\tmight\tprove\tto\tbe\ta\thorrible\tidea,\tbut I\u2019m\tdesperate\tand\tdesperate\tpeople,\twell\u2026 \u201cHelp\tyou\thow?\tLike\tescape?\tI\tcan\u2019t\tdo\tthat.\u201d\tShe\tre-caps\ther\tpen\tas\tif\tshe\u2019s done\twith\tthis\tinterview. \u201cNo.\t I\t don\u2019t\t need\t your\t help\t escaping.\t I\t need\t your\t help\t getting\t some information\t on\t Kelly\u2019s\t past.\t I\t think\t I\t was\t framed.\t Someone\t else\t did\t this,\t and they\tset\tme\tup,\tand\tI\tthink\tit\thas\tto\tdo\twith\ther\tpast.\u201d Rebecca\tuncaps\ther\tpen\tand\tbegins\tjotting\tdown\tnotes.\t\u201cWhy\tdo\tyou\tthink\tit was\tsomeone\tfrom\ther\tpast?\u201d I\t pour\t her\t a\t cup\t of\t coffee\t and\t set\t it\t in\t front\t of\t her.\t \u201cBecause\t she\t killed\t her first\thusband.\u201d Rebecca\u2019s\t eyes\t widen,\t and\t she\t quickly\t writes\t it\t down.\t \u201cWell,\t how\t come none\tof\tthe\tnewspapers\thave\tuncovered\tthat\tthen?\u201d \u201cBecause\t she\t changed\t her\t name\t and\t got\t married.\t It\u2019s\t quite\t the\t paper\t trail. She\twent\tby\tJenna\tWay.\tShe\tstabbed\ther\thusband\tto\tdeath\tor\tat\tleast\tthat\u2019s\twhat she\t was\t charged\t with.\t The\t case\t fell\t apart\t during\t the\t trial\t when\t key\t evidence went\tmissing,\twhich\tI\tthink\ther\thusband\tScott\tSummers\thelped\twith.\tEveryone thought\tshe\tdid\tit,\tand\tshe\tessentially\tgot\toff\ton\ta\ttechnicality.\u201d \u201cOh\t my\t God.\t That\u2019s\t awful.\u201d\t Rebecca\t takes\t a\t sip\t of\t her\t coffee,\t and\t I\t can practically\t see\t her\t brain\t working\t as\t her\t eyes\t stare\t off\t into\t the\t distance\t and\t her","forehead\tcrinkles. \u201cWell,\twho\twould\twant\tto\thurt\ther?\u201d \u201cMy\t guess\t would\t be\t a\t family\t member\t or\t friend\t of\t her\t first\t husband. Someone\twho\twasn\u2019t\thappy\tto\tsee\ther\tget\taway\twith\tmurder.\tThe\tway\tshe\twas killed\t was\t the\t same\t way\t she\t killed\t her\t husband\u2014almost\t like\t poetic\t justice\t for the\tperson\twho\tdid\tit.\u201d \u201cWhat\t about\t her\t husband?\t I\u2019ve\t heard\t rumblings\t in\t town\t that\t he\t may\t have been\tinvolved.\u201d \u201cI\t thought\t that\t too.\t And\t I\t think\t that\u2019s\t still\t a\t possibility.\t Although,\t she\t had said\tthat\the\tabused\ther\twhile\tshe\tand\tI\twere\ttogether,\tbut\the\tadamantly\tdenies\tit. I\t really\t don\u2019t\t know\t what\t to\t believe\t there,\t but\t he\t does\t seem\t to\t have\t an\t anger problem,\t and\t he\t did\t suspect\t Kelly\t of\t cheating.\t So,\t he\t should\t be\t considered. Although,\t apparently\t his\t alibi\t for\t the\t night\t in\t question\t is\t his\t partner\t Deputy Marcus\t Hudson.\t Despite\t that,\t there\u2019s\t something\t in\t my\t gut\t that\u2019s\t telling\t me\t to look\tinto\ther\tpast.\u201d \u201cGot\t it.\u201d\t Rebecca\t sets\t her\t coffee\t down\t and\t proceeds\t to\t take\t more\t notes. \u201cWhat\tabout\tthe\tthird\tset\tof\tDNA\tthat\twas\tfound\tin\ther?\u201d \u201cIs\tthat\tpublic\tknowledge?\u201d \u201cNot\tyet,\tbut\tI\thave\tmy\tways.\u201d\tShe\tgives\tme\ta\tcoy\tsmile. \u201cI\treally\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twho\tthat\tthird\tguy\tcould\tbe.\tMaybe\ta\tone-night\tstand?\tI couldn\u2019t\t even\t believe\t she\t was\t with\t another\t man\t other\t than\t myself\t and\t her husband.\t And\t I\t know\t how\t weird\t that\t sounds.\t Plus,\t someone\t threatened\t me. They\t sent\t a\t photo\t of\t Kelly\t and\t me\t together\t with\t a\t note\t that\t said,\t \u2018End\t it\t or\t I will.\u2019\u201d \u201cWho\tknew\tabout\tyou\ttwo?\u201d \u201cHer\thusband\tScott,\tI\u2019m\tsure.\tMaybe\this\tpartner.\tI\tdon\u2019t\treally\tknow.\u201d \u201cWhat\tis\tit\tyou\tneed\tme\tto\tdo?\u201d\tshe\tasks. \u201cWell\u2014thanks\tto\tthis,\u201d\tI\tpull\tup\tmy\tpant\tleg\tshowing\toff\tmy\tankle\tmonitor. \u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tleave\tthis\thouse,\tand\tit\tmakes\tit\tdifficult\tto\tinvestigate\tmy\town\tcase.\u201d \u201cWhat\tabout\tyour\tlawyer?\u201d \u201cYou\tmean\tmy\twife?\u201d Rebecca\tlets\tout\ta\tnervous\tlaugh. \u201cI\u2019d\tsay\tconsidering\tthe\tcircumstances\tI\u2019m\tnot\tsure\tshe\thas\tmy\tbest\tinterests in\tmind.\u201d\tI\traise\tan\teyebrow. \u201cOh,\tthat\tcan\u2019t\tbe\ttrue.\tI\u2019m\tsure\tyour\twife\tis\tdoing\teverything\tin\ther\tpower to\twin\tthis\tcase\tfor\tyou,\u201d\tshe\tsays\ttrying\tto\tfeign\toptimism\tin\ther\tvoice,\twhich\tI find\t odd,\t considering\t she\t doesn\u2019t\t really\t know\t me,\t and\t she\t doesn\u2019t\t know\t my wife,\tbut\tI\tsuppose\tI\tunderstand\tthe\tgesture. \u201cMaybe.\t But\t my\t life\t is\t on\t the\t line,\t and\t I\u2019m\t not\t just\t going\t to\t sit\t here\t and","have\t it\t taken\t away\t from\t me.\t Not\t without\t trying\t my\t damnedest\t to\t find\t out\t the truth.\u201d \u201cUnderstandable.\tNow,\there\u2019s\twhat\tI\twant.\tAn\texclusive\tinterview\tand\tfive thousand\tfor\tmy\ttroubles.\u201d\tShe\tholds\tout\ther\thand\tto\tmake\ta\tdeal. I\tlook\tat\ther\thand\tand\tthen\tat\ther.\tI\thonestly\tdidn\u2019t\tthink\tshe\u2019d\thave\tthe\tballs to\t ask\t for\t cash.\t She\t sure\t is\t a\t firecracker.\t I\t consider\t negotiating\t with\t her,\t but\t I don\u2019t\t have\t any\t other\t options,\t and\t I\t don\u2019t\t really\t have\t the\t time\t to\t be\t finagling over\tpocket\tchange.\t\u201cYou\tgot\tyourself\ta\tdeal.\u201d\tI\tshake\ther\thand. She\t smiles,\t and\t I\t can\t tell\t she\t is\t pleased\t with\t herself.\t \u201cWhat\t exactly\t do\t you need\tmy\thelp\twith?\u201d\tRebecca\trepositions\ther\tpen,\tready\tto\twrite\tdown\tanything that\tcomes\tout\tof\tmy\tmouth. \u201cI\tneed\tto\tfind\tout\tthe\tname\tof\ther\tfirst\thusband,\tand\tthen\tI\tneed\tnames\tand numbers\t and\t maybe\t background\t reports,\t if\t you\t can\t muster\t that\t up,\t on\t friends and\t family\t he\t was\t really\t close\t with.\t I\t guess\t I\u2019ll\t start\t there.\t Can\t you\t handle that?\u201d \u201cIt\tshouldn\u2019t\tbe\ta\tproblem.\tYou\tsaid\ther\tname\twas\tJenna\tWay?\u201d \u201cYes,\tJenna\tWay.\tFrom\tWisconsin,\u201d\tI\tconfirm. \u201cGot\tit.\tI\tshould\tbe\table\tto\tpull\tall\tthat\twithin\tforty-eight\thours.\tI\u2019d\task\tyou where\t you\u2019d\t like\t to\t meet\t again,\t but\t I\t have\t the\t answer\t to\t that\t already.\t I\u2019ll\t be back,\tMr.\tMorgan.\u201d \u201cThank\tyou,\tRebecca.\tOh,\tand\tbefore\tI\tforget\u2026\u201d\tI\tpull\tout\ta\tFolgers\tcoffee can\tfrom\ta\tcupboard.\tI\topen\tit\tand\tpull\tout\ta\tstack\tof\tcash\t and\thand\tit\tto\ther. \u201cHere\u2019s\t half\t right\t now.\t I\u2019ll\t give\t you\t the\t other\t half\t when\t you\t bring\t me\t what\t I need.\u201d \u201cHiding\tit\tin\tthe\tcoffee\tcan\u2026\thow\tclich\u00e9d.\u201d\tShe\ttakes\tthe\tmoney\tand\tshoves it\tinto\ther\tbag.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tbe\tseeing\tyou,\u201d\tRebecca\tsays\tas\tshe\tlets\therself\tout. I\t really\t hope\t she\t didn\u2019t\t just\t take\t my\t cash\t without\t any\t intention\t of\t helping me\t or\t following\t through\t with\t the\t investigation.\t Not\t much\t else\t I\t can\t do\t so\t I guess\tI\u2019ll\tjust\thave\tto\ttake\tmy\tchances.\tTime\tis\tticking.","31","SARAH\tMORGAN I head\tinto\twork\tand\tI\u2019m\timmediately\tintercepted\tby\tAnne\ton\tthe\tway\tinto\tmy office. \u201cSarah.\tKent\twants\tto\tsee\tyou.\tHe\tsays\tit\u2019s\turgent,\u201d\tshe\tsays\twith\ta\ttinge\tof worry\tin\ther\tvoice. \u201cDid\the\tsay\twhy?\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d \u201cFine.\t Here.\t Take\t my\t bag\t and\t hold\t my\t calls\t until\t I\t return,\t please.\u201d\t Anne nods\tand\tcomplies. Kent\tis\tthe\tother\tnamed\tpartner\tat\tthe\tfirm.\tThe\tWilliamson\tin\tWilliamson\t& Morgan.\tThis\twas\this\tshow\tfirst,\tand\the\tlikes\tto\tremind\tme\tof\tthat\tfrom\ttime\tto time.\tWhile\tI\tmay\tbe\tthe\thot\tup-and-comer\tin\tthe\tcourtroom,\the\thas\tbeen\tat\tthis for\tdecades\tand\thas\tcontacts\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tdream\tof. His\t secretary\t allows\t me\t to\t pass\t through\t with\t a\t \u201che\u2019s\t expecting\t you.\u201d\t His office\tis\tthe\tonly\tone\tin\tthe\tfirm\tthat\tputs\tmine\tto\tshame.\tStraight\tout\tof\ta\tmovie set,\t he\t had\t his\t walls\t finished\t with\t mahogany\t paneling\t and\t a\t large\t chandelier dangles\tfrom\tthe\tceiling.\tA\tboar\u2019s\thead\thangs\ton\tthe\twall,\ta\ttrophy\tfrom\ta\trecent hunting\t trip\t in\t Texas.\t This\t was\t with\t his\t big\t oil\t lobbyist\t friends\t to\t ensure\t that despite\tmy\tdefending\tSenator\tMcCallan\the\twas\tstill\tin\ttheir\tcorner.\tNeedless\tto say,\t I\t wasn\u2019t\t invited.\t The\t wall\t behind\t me\t has\t photos\t of\t him\t with\t every significant\t politician\t over\t the\t past\t two\t decades.\t Bushes,\t Clintons,\t Obama,\t you name\tit. Two\t full\t walls\t of\t his\t office\t are\t floor-to-ceiling\t windows,\t tinted\t to\t his\t own specific\t requirements.\t He\t is\t not\t a\t fan\t of\t leaving\t his\t office,\t so\t he\t also\t has\t a twelve-person\t conference\t room\t table,\t bare\t bones\t as\t can\t be.\t No\t conference phone,\tno\tflat\tscreen\tdisplay\tfor\ta\tcomputer:\the\truns\this\tmeetings\told-school.\tIf it\tcan\u2019t\tbe\tsolved\twith\ta\tpen,\tpaper,\tand\ta\tsharp\ttongue,\tthen\tit\tisn\u2019t\tworth\thim","getting\tinvolved. \u201cYou\twanted\tto\tsee\tme,\tKent.\u201d \u201cYes,\tSarah,\tplease\ttake\ta\tseat.\u201d\tHe\tmotions\tto\ta\tchair\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tdesk\the sits\tbehind. \u201cWhat\u2019s\tup?\u201d\tI\tsay,\ttrying\tto\tkeep\tit\tcasual,\twhich\tI\tknow\the\thates. \u201cYes,\t well\t your\t recent\t behavior\t and\t performance\t here\t at\t the\t firm\t have been\u2026\terratic,\tto\tput\tit\tmildly.\tYou\tcome\tand\tgo\tas\tyou\tplease,\tyou\tdon\u2019t\treturn calls,\tyou\tmiss\tmeetings.\tHave\tyou\tforgotten\tthat\tas\ta\tnamed\tpartner\tyou\tdon\u2019t have\t the\t luxury\t of\t focusing\t on\t one\t case,\t one\t client\t at\t a\t time?\u201d\t He\t ends\t with what\t sounds\t like\t a\t rhetorical\t question,\t yet\t he\t will\t make\t me\t answer\t it\t anyway. One\tof\this\tmany\tcharming\thabits. \u201cNo,\t Kent,\t I\t have\t not\t forgotten.\t It\u2019s\t just\t that\t I\t am\t defending\t my\t own husband\tin\ta\tmurder\ttrial\tand\tas\tyou\tcan\timagine\u2014\u201d \u201cThat\t would\t be\t quite\t the\t conflict\t of\t interest?\t Cause\t you\t a\t tremendous amount\tof\tdistress\tand\tdistract\tyou\tfrom\tyour\tjob?\tYes,\tyes,\tI\tcan\timagine\tthat. Which\t is\t why\t I\t wish\t you\t would\t have\t run\t it\t by\t me\t first.\u201d\t He\t is\t in\t full\t father mode. \u201cYou\tknow\twith\tour\tagreement\tthat\tI\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto\trun\tcases\tby\tyou\tunless it\t is\t a\t corporate\t interest\t that\t conflicts\t with\t one\t of\t your\t clients.\t This\t is\t not\t a corporate\tcase,\tand\tthus\tI\tam\tclear\tto\ttake\tit\tas\tI\tsee\tfit.\u201d \u201cYes,\tyou\tcertainly\tdid\thave\tthe\tright\tto\tdo\tthat.\tBut\tthe\tquestion\tis,\tshould you\t have\t done\t it?\t You\t don\u2019t\t think\t this\t might\t concern\t me\t as\t well?\t The\t other named\t half\t of\t the\t firm\t blowing\t off\t her\t duties,\t making\t us\t look\t unstable\t and flighty,\tanything\tbut\tprofessional.\u201d \u201cThat\twas\tnot\tmy\tintent\tat\u2014\u201d \u201cWell,\tit\u2019s\twhat\u2019s\thappening,\tisn\u2019t\tit?\tRegardless\tof\tyour\tintent.\u201d\tHe\tpauses and\t stands\t to\t come\t around\t to\t the\t front\t of\t his\t desk\t and\t sit\t on\t the\t edge.\t \u201cLook, Sarah,\tI\u2019m\tnot\there\tto\tscold\tyou.\tYou\tare\ta\tbig\tgirl,\tand\tyou\tare\tfree\tto\tdo\tas\tyou please,\tfor\tthe\tmost\tpart.\tI\tjust\twant\tto\tget\ta\thandle\ton\tthis\tbecause\tit\tis\tmaking us\tlook\tweak\tand\tspread\tthin,\tand\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tothers\thaven\u2019t\tnoticed.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\tright.\tThis\tis\u2026\tharder\tthan\tI\tanticipated.\tI\tjust\u2026\u201d \u201cAnd\twho\tcan\tblame\tyou?\tI\tcertainly\tdon\u2019t.\tHell,\tI\tcan\u2019t\timagine\tthe\tstress. But\t that\u2019s\t my\t point.\t Look,\t I\u2019ll\t allow\t this\t charade\t to\t continue\t because\t I\t know nothing\tI\tsay\tis\tgoing\tto\tstop\tyou,\tbut\u2014hear\tme\tout\u2014you\tneed\tto\tend\tthis,\tand end\tit\tquickly.\tFor\tyou.\tFor\tme.\tFor\tthe\tfirm.\tI\u2019ll\tget\tother\tpeople\tto\tcover\tsome of\t your\t accounts\t in\t the\t interim,\t and\t I\u2019ll\t clear\t you\t from\t any\t new\t work\t for\t the time\tbeing.\tBut\tget\tthis\ttaken\tcare\tof.\u201d \u201cThank\tyou.\tI\tappreciate\tyour\tunderstanding,\u201d\tI\tsay,\ta\tbit\tangry\tbut\tknowing that\tI\twon\u2019t\twin\tthis\targument.\tHe\tisn\u2019t\twrong.","\u201cOh,\t don\u2019t\t thank\t me\t yet.\t You\t see,\t since\t you\t aren\u2019t\t covering\t corporate accounts,\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tget\tto\tenjoy\tthe\tmonthly\tretainer\tfees\tthey\tbring\tin,\ti.e.,\tyour portion\tof\tthe\tprofit-sharing\tis\ton\thold\tuntil\tyou\tend\tthis\tcase\u2014\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tnot\tin\tour\tagreement!\tYou\tcan\u2019t\tfucking\u2014\u201d \u201cOr\twhat!\tYou\u2019ll\tsue\tme?\tSee\thow\tthat\tgoes\tfor\tyou.\tLook,\tthis\tshould\tbe\tan incentive\tfor\tyou.\tEnd\tthis\tquickly,\tthe\tmoney\tcomes\tback.\tUnderstood?\u201d I\t stare\t at\t him\t with\t fire\t in\t my\t eyes.\t I\u2019m\t not\t going\t to\t answer\t him\t and\t quite frankly,\tI\u2019m\tdone\twith\tthis\tconversation.\tI\tstand\tup\tand\thead\ttoward\tthe\tdoor. \u201cOh,\tSarah,\tone\tlast\tthing.\u201d \u201cYes,\tKent?\u201d \u201cYour\tsecretary,\tPam.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tAnne.\u201d \u201cYes,\t yes,\t Anne.\t She\t isn\u2019t\t your\t sidekick\t to\t follow\t you\t around\t like\t a\t little dog\ton\tyour\tevery\terrand.\tShe\tis\tbeing\tpaid\tto\tbe\there\tand\tbe\ta\tresource\tto\tthe firm,\tnot\tjust\tyou.\u201d \u201cLast\t time\t I\t checked,\t Kent,\t she\t was\t my\t secretary,\t and\t I\t pay\t half\t her salary\u2026\u201d \u201cYes,\t and\t I\t the\t other\t half.\t So,\t if\t you\t would\t like\t to\t have\t her\t only\t half\t as much\t as\t you\t do\t now,\t be\t my\t guest.\t Or\t play\t ball\t and\t take\t care\t of\t this\t justice crusade\ton\tyour\town.\u201d\tHe\tturns\tand\tsits\tback\tbehind\this\tdesk\tagain. \u201cCocksucker,\u201d\tI\twhisper\tunder\tmy\tbreath\tas\tI\tleave\this\toffice. \u201cHave\ta\tnice\tday,\tSarah,\u201d\this\tsecretary\tchirps\tas\tI\tpass\ther\tdesk. \u201cFuck\toff,\tNicole,\u201d\tI\tsay\twithout\tlooking\tback. In\t my\t haste,\t I\t bump\t into\t someone\t and\t am\t taken\t aback\t before\t I\t collect myself\tand\tlook\tup.\tThe\tgentleman\tI\tran\tinto\tis\twith\tanother\tman.\tBoth\tof\tthem have\t oddly\t familiar\t faces\t that\t I\t struggle\t to\t place\t immediately.\t My\t memory recall\tis\ttemporarily\thamstrung\tby\tmy\tanger. \u201cWoah,\t woah,\t woah,\t Mrs.\t Morgan,\t where\t ya\t off\t to\t in\t such\t a\t hurry?\u201d\t The words\t come\t pouring\t out\t laced\t with\t a\t heavy\t Texan\t accent.\t Now\t I\t remember. These\tare\tthe\ttwo\texecutives\tfrom\tPetroNext,\tthe\tvery\ttwo\twho\tsat\tin\tto\tobserve Senator\tMcCallan\u2019s\ttrial. \u201cGentlemen,\u201d\tI\treply,\tnot\tanswering\ttheir\tquestion. \u201cI\tsuppose\tcongratulations\tare\tin\torder,\u201d\tone\tof\tthem\tsays.\tIt\tdoesn\u2019t\tmatter which\tone\tas\tthey\u2019re\tspitting\timages\tof\tone\tanother. \u201cI\thighly\tdoubt\tyou\tfeel\tthat\tway.\u201d \u201cFair\t is\t fair,\t Mrs.\t Morgan.\t And\t you\t won\t fair\t and\t square\u2026\t this\t time,\u201d\t the gentleman\t says\t to\t me,\t a\t smirk\t that\t can\u2019t\t be\t described\t as\t anything\t other\t than nefarious,\tgrowing\tacross\this\tface. \u201cRight\u2026\tWhy\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tboth\tjust\trun\talong\tinto\tKent\u2019s\toffice\tso\the\tcan\tplay","nice.\t I\t have\t actual\t work\t to\t do.\t Later\t y\u2019all.\u201d\t I\t blurt\t out.\t Not\t the\t smoothest\t of exchanges\tbut\tI\tdon\u2019t\thave\ttime\tfor\tthem. As\tsoon\tas\tI\u2019m\tback\tin\tmy\toffice,\tAnne\tpops\tin.\t\u201cWhat\twas\tthat\tall\tabout?\u201d \u201cNothing,\u201d\tI\tsay,\twithout\ttaking\tmy\teyes\toff\tmy\tmonitor. \u201cThat\tbad,\thuh?\u201d \u201cCan\tyou\tjust\tbring\tme\tsome\tcoffee?\u201d\tI\thuff. Anne\tnods\tand\tdisappears\tquickly. I\tdidn\u2019t\tleave\tthe\toffice\tearly.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tleave\tfor\tlunch.\tI\tstayed\tthere\tall day\t like\t a\t goddamn\t hourly\t employee\t just\t to\t ensure\t my\t presence\t was\t known. Where\t does\t anyone\t at\t the\t office\t get\t off\t questioning\t me?\t I\u2019ve\t worked\t harder than\t every\t other\t lawyer\t here,\t and\t I\u2019ve\t earned\t my\t right\t to\t come\t and\t go\t as\t I please. I\tclose\tthe\thatch\tof\tmy\tRange\tRover,\tsling\tthe\treusable\tbags\tover\tmy\tshoulders, and\tpick\tup\tan\toverstuffed\tbox.\tIt\u2019s\tdark\tout,\tand\tI\u2019m\tcareful\tto\twatch\tmy\tfeet\tas I\twalk\tin\torder\tto\tnot\ttrip\ton\tthe\tway\tup\tthe\tstairs\tof\tthe\tporch.\tMy\theels\tclick on\teach\tstep,\tand\tonce\tI\u2019m\tstanding\tat\tthe\tdoor,\tI\tconsider\tknocking\u2014for\tonly\ta moment.\tInstead,\tI\treach\tfor\tthe\thandle,\tpull\topen\tthe\tscreen\tdoor,\tand\tlet\tmyself in. \u201cHello?\u201d\tAdam\tcalls\tnervously\tfrom\tthe\tliving\troom.\t\u201cWho\u2019s\tthere?\u201d I\tdon\u2019t\tanswer\tand\tinstead\twalk\tinto\tthe\tkitchen.\tHe\u2019s\tsitting\ton\tthe\tcouch\tin the\t living\t room,\t dressed\t in\t sweats\t and\t a\t white\t T-shirt,\t sipping\t at\t a\t glass\t of scotch.\t He\u2019s\t made\t no\t effort\t to\t shave\t or\t comb\t his\t hair.\t Despite\t all\t that,\t he\t still looks\thandsome. \u201cSarah?\tWhat\tare\tyou\tdoing\there?\u201d I\tset\tthe\tbox\tand\tbags\tdown\ton\tthe\tisland.\t\u201cI\tbrought\tyou\tsome\tprovisions.\u201d \u201cOh?\u201d\tHis\tface\tsoftens\tand\the\trises\tfrom\tthe\tcouch,\tslowly\tmaking\this\tway into\tthe\tkitchen,\tbut\tstill\tkeeping\this\tdistance\tfrom\tme. \u201cWhere\u2019s\tyour\tmom?\u201d \u201cShe\tgot\ta\thotel\troom\tto\tstay\tin.\u201d \u201cI\t thought\t for\t sure\t she\u2019d\t be\t the\t big\t spoon\t in\t your\t sleeping\t arrangement,\u201d\t I jab. \u201cOh,\tstop.\u201d\tHe\tchuckles.\t\u201cShe\u2019s\tnot\tthat\tbad.\u201d I\tgive\ta\tsmall\tsmile\tand\troll\tmy\teyes. \u201cYou\twant\ta\tdrink?\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d","He\twalks\tto\tthe\twet\tbar\tand\tpours\tme\ta\tglass\tof\tten-year-old\tLaphroaig.\tHe returns\tto\tthe\topposite\tside\tof\tthe\tisland\tand\tplaces\tit\tdown\tin\tfront\tof\tme. \u201cI\tfigured\tyou\twould\tneed\tsome\tstuff.\tI\tbrought\tyou\tNew\tYork\tstrip\tsteaks, more\t scotch,\t some\t bagels,\t smoked\t salmon,\t cream\t cheese,\t eggs,\t vegetables, macadamia\tnuts,\tand\tice\tcream,\u201d\tI\tsay\tas\tI\tpull\tout\teach\titem\tand\tbegin\tputting them\taway. \u201cYou\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tto\tdo\tthat.\u201d I\t look\t at\t him.\t There\u2019s\t a\t smile\t on\t his\t face.\t There\u2019s\t hope\t in\t his\t eyes.\t \u201cI know.\u201d He\ttakes\ta\tsip\tof\this\tscotch.\t\u201cThank\tyou.\u201d \u201cI\t also\t brought\t you\t some\t writing\t supplies\u2014paper,\t printer\t ink,\t ballpoint pens,\tand\tsome\tstationery.\u201d\tI\tunpack\tthe\tother\tbag. \u201cYou\t really\t didn\u2019t\t have\t to\t do\t that.\u201d\t He\t walks\t over\t and\t looks\t at\t the\t items. His\teyes\tmoisten. \u201cI\tknow.\u201d\tI\tpick\tup\tthe\tglass\tof\tscotch\the\tset\tout\tfor\tme\tand\ttake\ta\tsip. We\tstand\tthere\tsipping\tfrom\tour\tglasses\tin\tsilence.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tto\tsay to\thim,\tand\tI\u2019m\tsure\the\tdoesn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tto\tsay\tto\tme.\tTo\tthink\tthat\twe\twere once\t the\t love\t of\t each\t other\u2019s\t lives,\t linked\t as\t close\t as\t two\t humans\t can\t be,\t and now\t there\t is\t a\t chasm\t between\t us\t that\t is\t so\t deep\t and\t wide\t that\t it\u2019s\t difficult\t to even\tcall\tacross\tto\tthe\tother\tside. Finally,\t he\t speaks.\t \u201cWhat\u2019s\t in\t the\t box?\u201d\t He\t points\t at\t the\t cardboard\t box overstuffed\twith\tpapers\tand\tfolders. I\tpush\tit\ttoward\thim.\t\u201cI\tknow\tyou\twant\tto\thelp,\tso\tI\thad\tAnne\tmake\tcopies of\tall\tthe\tkey\tevidence.\tIt\u2019s\tall\tin\tthere\tand\tit\u2019s\tyours\tto\treview.\u201d He\tlooks\tat\tthe\tbox\tand\tthen\tat\tme.\tHis\teyes\tbounce\tall\tover\tme. \u201cI\tjust\twant\tyou\tto\tknow\tthat\tI\u2019m\tdoing\teverything\tin\tmy\tpower\tto\twin\tthis case.\tYou\thave\tto\ttrust\tme,\u201d\tI\tadd. \u201cI\tdo\ttrust\tyou,\tSarah.\u201d I\tnod\tand\tgive\thim\ta\tsmall\tsmile.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tglad\tto\thear\tthat.\tI\thave\tto\tget\tgoing but\tlet\tme\tknow\tif\tyou\tfind\tanything\tor\tif\tyou\tneed\tanything\telse.\u201d\tI\tset\tmy\tglass of\tscotch\tdown\tand\tturn\ttoward\tthe\tfront\tdoor. \u201cSarah,\u201d\the\tsays,\this\tvoice\tis\tquiet,\talmost\tlike\ta\twhisper. I\tstop\tand\tturn\tto\tlook\tat\thim.\t\u201cYes.\u201d \u201cThank\tyou\u2026\tfor\teverything.\u201d\tHis\tvoice\tshakes.\t\u201cYou\treally\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tto do\tthis.\tI\u2026\tdon\u2019t\treally\tdeserve\tthis.\u201d My\tlip\tbegins\tto\tquiver,\tbut\tI\tbite\tdown\thard\tto\tstop\tit.\tI\tclose\tmy\teyes\tfor\ta second,\tand\twhen\tI\treopen\tthem,\tthey\u2019re\twet.\t\u201cNo,\tyou\u2026\twell\u2026\tI\thave\tto\tgo.\u201d Before\t I\t can\t take\t one\t more\t step\t away\t from\t him,\t he\t closes\t the\t distance, wrapping\this\tarms\taround\tme,\tpulling\tme\tinto\thim.\tI\twant\tto\tstop\thim.\tI\twant\tto","tell\thim\tno.\tThese\tare\tthe\tsame\tarms\tthat\tused\tto\thold\tKelly.\tTo\tbe\ta\tsource\tof strength\t and\t comfort\t to\t her.\t I\t know\t he\t doesn\u2019t\t deserve\t to\t hold\t me,\t but\t I\t don\u2019t fight\t it.\t I\t let\t him\t hold\t me.\t I\t bury\t my\t face\t into\t his\t chest\t and\t I\t cry.\t I\t practically fall\t apart\t in\t his\t arms.\t He\t cries\t too.\t He\t kisses\t the\t top\t of\t my\t head\t and\t squeezes me\t tight.\t He\t tells\t me\t he\t loves\t me\t over\t and\t over\t again.\t I\t look\t up\t at\t him\u2014my cheeks\t are\t wet;\t my\t heart\t is\t pounding.\t Tears\t are\t running\t down\t his\t cheeks\t onto mine. I\t pull\t him\t in\t for\t a\t kiss.\t He\t kisses\t me\t back.\t Our\t mouths\t open\t and\t close\t in sync.\t His\t hands\t run\t all\t over\t my\t body.\t He\t picks\t me\t up.\t My\t legs\t straddle\t his waist.\tHe\twalks\tme\tto\tthe\tisland\tand\tsets\tme\tdown,\this\tlips\tnever\tleaving\tmine. He\t moves\t to\t my\t neck\t and\t then\t to\t my\t collarbone,\t kissing\t every\t part\t of\t me\t he possibly\tcan. \u201cI\tlove\tyou,\tSarah,\u201d\the\twhispers\tin\tmy\tear. \u201cI\t know.\u201d\t I\t pause.\t I\t stop\t kissing\t him\t and\t search\t his\t face\t for\t an\t answer,\t for what\t to\t say.\t Caressing\t his\t cheek\t with\t my\t hand,\t I\t finally\t speak\t as\t his\t eyes\t lock with\tmine,\t\u201cI\tlove\tyou\ttoo.\u201d He\t can\u2019t\t help\t but\t smile.\t \u201cI\t love\t you\t so\t fucking\t much.\u201d\t His\t voice\t trembles and\tI\tstop\thim\tfrom\tsaying\tanything\tmore\twith\ta\tkiss,\ta\thard\tand\tpassionate\tone. His\tlips\tare\tsoft\tand\thot.\tHis\thands\ttravel\tall\tover\tmy\tbody,\tpulling\toff\tmy\tsuit jacket,\t massaging\t my\t breasts,\t pushing\t up\t my\t skirt.\t My\t breath\t is\t ragged\t as\t his tongue\tand\tlips\tleave\ttheir\tmark\tup\tand\tdown\tmy\tneck. He\tunzips\this\tpants\tand\tpulls\tme\tcloser\tto\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tcounter.\tHe\tbends down,\tpushing\tmy\tlegs\tapart\tand\tmy\tpanties\taside\u2014and\tthen\tall\tat\tonce,\treality sets\tin\tfor\tme,\tI\tpush\thim\taway,\tmy\tlegs\tsnap\tclosed,\tI\tslide\toff\tthe\tcounter,\tpull down\tmy\tskirt,\tand\tput\ton\tmy\tsuit\tjacket.\tHe\tloses\this\tbalance\tand\tsits\tback\ton the\tfloor\tbefore\tquickly\tregaining\thimself\tand\tstanding.\tHis\teyes\twiden,\tand\this mouth\topens\tto\tbegin\this\tprotest. I\t put\t my\t hand\t on\t his\t chest.\t \u201cI\t can\u2019t\t do\t this\t yet\u2026\t I\u2019m\t still\t mad\t at\t you\t for everything\t you\t did\t to\t me.\t I\t can\u2019t\t help\t but\t still\t picture\u2026\u201d\t I\t say\t trailing\t off.\t A tear\t rolls\t down\t my\t cheek.\t I\t wipe\t it\t away\t and\t sidestep\t him,\t quickly\t leaving\t the house. \u201cSarah,\t wait!\u201d\t His\t voice\t rings\t loud\t from\t the\t house,\t but\t he\t is\t trapped,\t an invisible\tperimeter\tpreventing\thim\tfrom\tpursuing\tme. I\t climb\t into\t my\t car\t and\t slam\t the\t door\t closed.\t What\t the\t fuck\t am\t I\t doing?\t I need\tto\tclear\tmy\thead,\tand\tthis\tis\tnot\tthe\tplace\tto\tdo\tit.","32","ADAM\tMORGAN I \u2019m\tsitting\ton\tthe\tcouch,\tsipping\tmy\tsecond\tglass\tof\tscotch\tand\teating\ta\tNew York\t strip\t with\t my\t hands.\t Sarah\t left\t over\t an\t hour\t ago,\t and\t it\t took\t fifteen minutes\tto\tbeat\tthe\tmemory\tof\ther\tout\tof\tmy\tdick.\tIt\tfelt\tgood\tto\tbe\tclose\tto\ther again.\t Like\t there\t was\t a\t chance\t at\t reconciliation,\t but\t she\t left\t suddenly.\t She\u2019s always\tleaving\tsuddenly.\tMom\tcalled\tto\tcheck\tin\ton\tme.\tShe\twould\thave\tcome over\tfor\tdinner,\tbut\tapparently\tshe\thas\ta\tmassage\tappointment.\tI\thave\ta\tfeeling she\u2019s\t up\t to\t something\t though.\t She\t would\t never\t turn\t down\t dinner\t with\t me,\t her only\tson. The\t phone\t rings.\t It\u2019s\t either\t Sarah\t or\t Mom.\t Those\t are\t the\t only\t two\t people that\tcall\tme\tthese\tdays.\tI\tscooch\tover\tto\tthe\tcorded\tphone\ton\tthe\tend\ttable\tand with\t no\t caller\t ID,\t I\u2019m\t forced\t to\t pick\t it\t up\t to\t find\t out\t who\t it\t is,\t like\t some mystery.\t\u201cHello.\u201d \u201cAdam?\u201d \u201cYeah,\twho\tis\tthis?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tme,\tDaniel.\tHow\tthe\thell\thave\tyou\tbeen?\u201d Ahh,\tgood\tol\u2019\tDaniel.\tDaniel\tis\tmy\tliterary\tagent\tand\thas\tbeen\twith\tme\tsince day\tone.\tIn\tthe\tbeginning,\tI\twas\ta\tgamble.\tThen,\tI\tbecame\ta\thot\tcommodity\tand people\ttried\tto\tpoach\tme\tfrom\tDaniel,\tbut\tI\tstuck\twith\thim.\tNow,\tit\u2019s\thim\twho\tis sticking\t with\t me.\t I\t have\t been\t hearing\t from\t him\t at\t an\t ever-decreasing\t rate\t over this\tfour-year\tlull,\tand\tI\tdon\u2019t\tblame\thim.\t\u201cOh,\they,\tDaniel.\tFine,\tfine.\tI\u2019ve\tbeen fine,\thow\tabout\tyourself?\u201d\tI\tresituate\tmyself\ton\tthe\tcouch\tto\tget\tcomfortable. \u201cForget\tabout\tme.\tWhat\u2019s\tthis\tI\thear\tyou\u2019re\ton\ttrial\tfor\tmurder?\u201d \u201cYeah,\t unfortunately,\t it\u2019s\t true\t but\t I\t didn\u2019t\t do\t it,\t this\t is\t all\u2026\u201d\t I\t take\t a\t drink of\tscotch. \u201cThat\u2019s\tgreat!\u201d \u201cWhat?\tNo,\tDaniel,\tI\tsaid\tit\u2019s\ttrue.\tI\tam\ton\ttrial\tfor\tmurder.\u201d","\u201cOh,\t I\t heard\t you,\t buddy\t boy,\t and\t it\u2019s\t the\t best\t fuckin\u2019\t news\t I\u2019ve\t heard\t in ages.\u201d \u201cWhat?\tWhy?\u201d\tI\tpress\tthe\tphone\tharder\tagainst\tmy\tear\tto\tensure\tI\u2019m\thearing him\tcorrectly. \u201cThink\t about\t it,\t Adam.\t This\t is\t a\t murder.\t You\u2019re\t a\t writer,\t put\t \u2019em\t together, and\twhattaya\tgot?\tA\ttell-all,\tthe\tlikes\tof\twhich\thas\tnever\tbeen\tseen\tbefore.\u201d \u201cBut,\tDaniel,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tdo\u2014\u201d \u201cThis\t could\t be\t your\t In\t Cold\t Blood\t except\t even\t better,\t cause\t I\t mean\t you don\u2019t\thave\tto\tinterview\tthe\tmurderer\u2026\tit\u2019s\tyou!\u201d \u201cDaniel,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tfucking\tkill\u2014\u201d\tI\tgrit\tmy\tteeth.\tWhat\tisn\u2019t\the\tgetting? \u201cI\t can\t picture\t it\t now,\t you\t doing\t press\t junkets\t from\t your\t cell,\t signing autographs\t at\t visitation\t sessions.\t Hmm,\t I\u2019ll\t have\t to\t figure\t out\t how\t the\t hell they\u2019ll\t let\t you\t go\t on\t a\t promotional\t tour\t but\u2026\t wait\u2026\t I\t got\t it!\t We\t can\t let\t them move\t you\t in\t a\t prison\t van\t with\t cops\t and\t everything,\t put\t you\t in\t an\t orange jumpsuit.\tOh,\tthe\tpress\twould\tbe\tfucking\tfantastic\u2014\u201d \u201cDaniel!\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tfucking\tdo\tit,\tokay.\tListen\tto\tme,\tgoddammit!\u201d \u201cGeez,\t bud,\t relax.\t I\t know\t you\t didn\u2019t\t fucking\t do\t it.\t I\t mean\t you\t can\t be\t a ballbuster\t sometimes,\t but\t a\t killer?\t Hell,\t you\t couldn\u2019t\t hurt\t a\t fly.\t But\t regardless of\thow\tthis\tturns\tout,\tthe\tpeople\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tto\tknow\tthat.\tThe\tway\tI\tsee\tit\tis\tthis; if\tyou\tdid\tkill\ther\u2014\u201d \u201cWhich\t I\t didn\u2019t,\u201d\t I\t repeat.\t This\t fucking\t guy!\t Even\t at\t a\t time\t like\t this,\t his mind\t is\t always\t on\t making\t money.\t That\u2019s\t what\t makes\t him\t such\t a\t good\t agent, but\t also\t such\t a\t shit\t person.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know,\t Daniel,\t I\u2019m\t not\t really\t interested\t in being\ta\twould-be\tmurderer\twhen\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tdo\tanything.\u201d \u201cLook,\t you\t and\t I\t both\t know\t you\u2019ve\t needed\t a\t spark\t for\t years\t now\t and\t then boom!\tThis\tfalls\tright\tin\tyour\tlap.\tAll\tI\u2019m\tsaying\tis,\tdon\u2019t\tignore\tit.\tYou\twanna send\t me\t some\t pages\t on\t it,\t I\u2019ll\t read\t \u2019em.\t If\t not,\t well\u2026\t you\t can\t get\t back\t to finishing\t that\t \u2018next\t great\t American\t novel\u2019\t I\u2019ve\t been\t hearing\t about\t for\t the\t last half\ta\tdecade.\tUp\tto\tyou.\u201d \u201cYeah,\tsure.\tMaybe.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tthe\tspirit.\tHang\tin\tthere,\tkid.\tWe\u2019ll\tgrab\tlunch\tsoon.\u201d\tClick\tgoes\tthe line. I\t set\t the\t phone\t down\t and\t sink\t back\t into\t my\t seat,\t bringing\t the\t scotch\t to\t my lips.\t He\u2019s\t not\t wrong.\t This\t is\t a\t great\t story,\t and\t it\u2019s\t my\t story\t to\t tell.\t I\t know\t I didn\u2019t\tdo\tthis,\tbut\tI\tcan\tfigure\tout\twho\tdid.\tA\twhole\ttrue\tcrime\tmystery\tfor\tme to\ttell\tthe\tworld.\tA\tguaranteed\tNew\tYork\tTimes\tbestseller.\tBut\twhat\twould\tI\tcall it? In\tWarm\tBlood\u2026\tIt\tWasn\u2019t\tMe. Fuck,\t I\u2019m\t rusty.\t I\t take\t a\t pad\t of\t paper\t and\t a\t pen\t from\t the\t coffee\t table\t and","start\twriting\tdown\teverything\tthat\u2019s\thappened,\tstarting\tfrom\tthe\tvery\tbeginning.","33","SARAH\tMORGAN I \u2019m\tgoing\tover\tthe\tcase\tfiles\tand\twaiting\tfor\tAnne\tto\tbring\tme\tbreakfast.\tShe convinced\t me\t I\t should\t eat.\t I\t seem\t to\t have\t been\t living\t solely\t off\t coffee, water,\t and\t alcohol.\t I\u2019m\t not\t sure\t who\t Adam\t and\t I\t are\t anymore.\t Husband\t and wife?\t Lawyer\t and\t client?\t Lovers?\t Enemies?\t I\t guess\t that\t doesn\u2019t\t really\t matter. All\t that\t matters\t is\t getting\t through\t this\t case,\t which\t has\t become\t increasingly difficult\tas\tthe\tstory\twas\tpicked\tup\tnationally\tover\tthe\tweekend.\tReporters\thave been\t calling\t the\t office\t nonstop,\t and\t they\t even\t got\t a\t hold\t of\t my\t work\t cell.\t I bunkered\t down\t at\t our\t D.C.\t house\t and\t my\t office\t over\t the\t weekend,\t keeping\t a low\tprofile,\tand\tfocusing\ton\tthe\tcase\tfiles. Anne\t informed\t me\t that\t the\t internet\t has\t gone\t wild\t with\t theories\t as\t to\t who may\t have\t killed\t Kelly.\t The\t majority\t seem\t to\t believe\t it\t is\t Adam,\t while\t several theories\t have\t arisen\t about\t Scott,\t the\t third\t set\t of\t DNA,\t a\t co-worker,\t another police\tofficer\ton\tthe\tforce,\tand\teven\tthe\tghost\tof\ther\tex-husband.\tI\thaven\u2019t\tpaid much\t attention\t to\t them.\t The\t information\t regarding\t her\t killing\t her\t first\t husband and\ther\tbeing\tkilled\tin\tthe\texact\tsame\tway\tis\twhat\tcaught\tthe\tpublic\u2019s\teye.\tMany believe\t she\t got\t what\t she\t had\t coming,\t and\t others\t think\t she\u2019s\t being\t portrayed inaccurately.\t It\u2019s\t a\t polarizing\t case\t and\t there\u2019s\t not\t much\t agreement,\t which should\tbenefit\tus\twhen\tit\tcomes\tto\tthe\tjury. A\tnot\tguilty\tverdict\tis\tgoing\tto\tbe\ta\thard\tone\tto\tpull\toff,\tbut\tperhaps\twe\tcan get\ta\tmistrial\tthrough\ta\thung\tjury.\tIt\tmay\tor\tmay\tnot\tbe\ttried\tagain\tafter\tthat,\tbut we\tdon\u2019t\thave\ta\tlot\tof\ttime\tbefore\tthe\ttrial\tstarts\tand\tat\tthis\tpoint,\tthat\u2019s\tour\tbest bet. The\t door\t is\t flung\t open\t and\t startles\t me.\t Anne\t scurries\t in\t carrying\t two smoothies,\ta\tbag\tof\tfood\tfrom\ta\tlocal\tcaf\u00e9,\tand\ta\tbox\tof\tchocolates.\tShe\tplaces everything\ton\tthe\tdesk\tin\ta\thurry. \u201cWhat?\tWhat\tis\tit?\u201d\tI\task.","\u201cBob\u2019s\tlooking\tfor\tyou.\u201d\tHer\teyes\twiden. \u201cAnd?\u201d \u201cHe\u2019s\tpissed.\u201d Bob\tappears\tin\tmy\tdoorway\twearing\ta\tnice\ttailored\tsuit\tand\ta\tscowl.\t\u201cWhat the\t hell\t is\t going\t on\t here?\u201d\t He\t takes\t a\t couple\t of\t large\t steps\t into\t my\t office,\t so he\u2019s\tdirectly\tin\tfront\tof\tmy\tdesk.\tAnne\tquickly\tshifts\taside. \u201cTo\twhat\tdo\tI\towe\tthe\tpleasure,\tBob?\u201d\tI\tsmile. \u201cWhat\u2019s\t with\t the\t reporters\t out\t front?\t And\t what\u2019s\t this\t I\t hear\t you\u2019re representing\tyour\thusband\tin\ta\tmurder\ttrial?\u201d\tHis\tface\tcrumples. \u201cYes,\tyes\tI\tam.\tMy\thusband\thas\tbeen\twrongly\taccused,\tand\tI\u2019m\tdoing\tsome pro\tbono\twork\ton\tthe\tcase.\u201d\tI\tshift\tsome\tpapers\taround\twhile\tpaying\tnearly\tno mind\tto\tBob. \u201cYou\tcan\u2019t\tdo\tfucking\tpro\tbono\ton\tyour\town\thusband\u2019s\tcase!\u201d \u201cYes,\tI\tcan,\tand\tI\tam.\tI\u2019ve\talready\ttalked\tto\tKent\tabout\tit.\u201d Anne\tlets\tout\tan\tawkward\tcough\tas\tif\tshe\thad\tbeen\tholding\tit\tin\tto\tnot\tmake a\tsound.\tI\tglance\tat\ther\tand\tthen\tlook\tBob\tdirectly\tin\tthe\teyes. \u201cOh,\thave\tyou?\tI\u2019ll\talso\tbe\ttalking\tto\tKent\tabout\tthis\tand\texplaining\tto\thim how\tgod-awful\tthis\tpublicity\tis\tfor\tthe\tfirm.\u201d\tHe\tpoints\tat\tme\tas\the\tspeaks. \u201cDo\tit,\tand\tI\u2019ll\tbury\tyou,\tBob,\u201d\tI\twarn. He\t lets\t out\t a\t chuckle.\t \u201cHa.\t I\u2019d\t love\t to\t see\t you\t try.\u201d\t He\t looks\t around\t my office.\t\u201cMan,\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tlook\tso\tgood\tin\there\twhen\tthey\tcan\tyour\tass.\u201d \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\teven\tlook\tgood\tin\tyour\town\toffice.\u201d\tI\treturn\tmy\tattention\tto\tmy case,\tshifting\taround\tpapers.\tI\tknow\this\tthreats\tare\tempty,\tbut\tI\tdon\u2019t\tneed\thim ruffling\tup\tKent\u2019s\tfeathers\tagain.\tI\u2019m\talready\ton\tthin\tice. \u201cWatch\tyourself,\tSarah.\u201d\tHe\ttakes\ta\tfew\tsteps\tback\tand\tthen\tturns\tto\tleave.\tI let\t him\t have\t the\t last\t word\t because\t it\u2019s\t all\t he\u2019s\t got.\t He\t can\t be\t mad\t over\t the publicity,\tbut\the\tcan\u2019t\tbe\tmad\tabout\tme\ttaking\tthe\tcase.\tI\thad\tto.\tIt\twas\tthe\tonly way. \u201cAre\tyou\tokay?\u201d\tAnne\ttakes\ta\tseat\tin\tfront\tof\tme. \u201cYeah.\t Don\u2019t\t worry\t about\t him.\t He\u2019s\t just\t overly\t protective\t of\t this\t place.\u201d\t I spot\tthe\tbox\tof\tchocolates\twith\tan\tattached\tcard\ton\tthe\tdesk.\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\tthis?\u201d \u201cIt\tarrived\tas\tI\twas\tcoming\tin.\u201d I\topen\tthe\tenvelope\tand\tpull\tout\tthe\tcard.\tIt\treads,\t\u201cThis\tin\tno\tway\tcompares to\tstudying\tfor\tthe\tLSAT,\tbut\tI\tknow\thow\tyou\thandle\tstress.\tChocolate!\tXOXO, Matthew.\u201d\t I\t let\t out\t a\t small\t smile\t as\t I\t recall\t Matthew\t and\t I\t going\t on\t chocolate runs\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tour\tstudy\tsessions.\tI\topen\tthe\tbox,\tchoose\ta\tpiece,\tand\tpop it\tinto\tmy\tmouth. \u201cWant\tone?\u201d \u201cSure.\u201d\tAnne\ttakes\tone\tfor\therself\tand\ttakes\ta\tbite.\t\u201cWho\u2019s\tit\tfrom?\u201d","\u201cMatthew.\u201d\tI\ttake\tanother\tone. \u201cI\tswear\the\thas\ta\tthing\tfor\tyou.\u201d\tShe\traises\tan\teyebrow. \u201cHe\u2019s\tgay.\u201d \u201cYeah,\t but\t he\u2019d\t be\t straight\t for\t you,\u201d\t Anne\t says\t with\t a\t mouthful\t of chocolate. \u201cThat\u2019s\tnot\thow\tthat\tworks.\u201d \u201cHe\u2019s\tat\tleast\tbisexual.\u201d\tShe\tcurves\tthe\tcorner\tof\ther\tlip. \u201cDoubtful.\u201d\tI\troll\tmy\teyes. \u201cOkay\u2026\t oh\t yeah\u2014I\t got\t the\t background\t check\t back\t on\t that\t Jesse\t Hook guy,\u201d\tshe\tsays\tas\tshe\tquickly\tleaves\tmy\toffice\tand\treturns\twith\t a\tfile\tfolder.\t I take\tit\tfrom\ther\tand\tflip\tthrough\tit. \u201cHighlights?\u201d \u201cThirty-two,\t lives\t alone\t in\t Gainesville,\t dropped\t out\t of\t high\t school,\t no\t real job\thistory.\tHe\tseems\tto\tdo\tfreelance\twriting\tand\tpainting\ton\tthe\tside\taccording to\this\tFacebook\tpage.\tNo\tfamily\tin\tthe\tarea,\tnot\tsure\thow\the\tcame\tto\tlive\taround here.\tNever\tbeen\tmarried\tand\tno\tkids.\tOverall,\the\u2019s\tkind\tof\ta\tcreepy\trecluse.\u201d \u201cRegistered\tphone\tnumber?\u201d \u201cYep.\tIt\u2019s\ton\tthe\tfirst\tpage,\tand\tit\tmatches\tone\ttext\tand\ta\tdozen\tmissed\tcalls in\t Kelly\u2019s\t phone\t history.\t He\t texted\t her,\t \u2018I\u2019m\t sorry\u2019\t on\t the\t night\t of\t the\t murder and\tall\tthe\tcalls\twere\tsporadic\ta\tcouple\tof\tdays\tbefore.\u201d \u201cHe\tcould\tbe\tour\tguy,\u201d\tI\tponder. \u201cIt\u2019s\tat\tleast\tworth\tlooking\tinto.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\t to\thead\tback\tinto\ttown.\tWill\tyou\tcall\t Sheriff\tStevens\tand\thave him\tmeet\tme\tat\tSeth\u2019s\tCoffee\tin\tabout\ttwo\thours?\u201d \u201cSure\tthing.\u201d\tShe\timmediately\tgets\tup\tto\tmake\tthat\tcall. My\tphone\tbuzzes.\tIt\u2019s\ta\ttext\tfrom\tEleanor.\tGreat. I\u2019m\t going\t out\t of\t town\t and\t will\t be\t back\t tomorrow.\t Nothing\t to concern\tyourself\twith. I\troll\tmy\teyes.\tIf\tit\twas\tnothing\tfor\tme\tto\tconcern\tmyself\twith\tthen\twhy\tdid she\t text\t me\t in\t the\t first\t place?\t Ugh.\t She\u2019s\t impossible.\t I\t slide\t my\t phone\t in\t my pocket,\tclose\tthe\tbox\tof\tchocolates,\tand\tput\tit\tin\tmy\ttote\tbag.\tBefore\tleaving,\tI take\ta\tfew\tsips\tof\tthe\tsmoothie\tand\ta\tbite\tof\tmy\tsandwich.\tI\u2019m\tgetting\ta\tbit\ttired of\t making\t this\t drive\t back\t and\t forth\t between\t D.C.\t and\t Prince\t William\t County, but\tI\tdon\u2019t\thave\tthe\ttime\tto\tslow\tdown. I\tneed\tto\tfind\tout\twho\tthis\tthird\tguy\tis.\tHe\tmight\tbe\tthe\tanswer\tto\tthis\twhole case,\t and\t he\t might\t know\t more\t than\t anyone\t else\t does\t about\t Kelly\t and\t her\t past.","Until\tI\tcan\ttie\tup\tthis\tloose\tend,\tI\twill\talways\tbe\tleft\twondering\twhat\tit\tis\tthat\tI don\u2019t\tknow.","34","ADAM\tMORGAN I heard\t from\t Rebecca,\t the\t journalist\t I\u2019d\t asked\t to\t do\t some\t digging\t for\t me, sooner\t than\t I\t thought\u2026\t actually,\t I\t wasn\u2019t\t sure\t I\u2019d\t hear\t from\t her\t at\t all.\t She called\tme\tlate\tlast\tnight,\ttelling\tme\tshe\u2019d\tbe\tover\tMonday\tafternoon.\tShe\tworks fast.\tShe\thad\tsaid\ton\tthe\tphone\tthat\tshe\tgot\teverything\tI\tasked\tfor.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow how\t she\t did\t it,\t and\t I\t don\u2019t\t care\t as\t long\t as\t it\u2019s\t right,\t and\t it\t clears\t me\t of\t this crime.\t I\t got\t up\t and\t showered,\t shaved,\t and\t dressed\t myself.\t It\t was\t quite\t the accomplishment\tas\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\tnothing\tshort\tof\ta\tslob\tthese\tpast\tcouple\tof\tdays.\tI even\t tidied\t up\t the\t place.\t I\t couldn\u2019t\t stand\t sleeping\t on\t the\t couch\t another\t night. My\tback\tis\taching,\tbut\tI\tguess\tthe\tcouch\tis\tbetter\tthan\tthe\ttwin-sized\tbunk\tat\tthe jail. Since\tour\tmattress\twas\tthrown\tout\tduring\tthe\tcrime\tscene\tclean-up,\tI\tordered a\t new\t one\t online.\t I\t won\u2019t\t get\t much\t use\t out\t of\t it\t if\t I\u2019m\t convicted,\t but\t in\t the meantime,\t I\t sprung\t for\t the\t most\t expensive\t one\t with\t the\t highest\t thread\t count sheets\t and\t the\t plushest\t pillows\t and\t mattress\t pad.\t If\t these\t are\t my\t last\t couple\t of weeks\tin\tmy\town\tbed,\tthey\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tbe\tluxurious.\tI\thaven\u2019t\theard\tfrom\tSarah since\t our\t encounter\t on\t Friday\t night.\t I\t had\t hoped\t she\u2019d\t stop\t by\t again,\t but\t after the\tnews\tpicked\tup\tthe\tstory,\tI\tassumed\tshe\twas\tlying\tlow. I\u2019m\t sitting\t on\t the\t couch\t dressed\t in\t old\t jeans\t and\t a\t flannel\t top,\t flipping through\t my\t well-thumbed\t copy\t of\t The\t Corrections,\t wondering\t why\t my\t career hadn\u2019t\ttaken\tthe\tsame\tpath\tas\tMr.\tFranzen\u2019s.\tBut\tI\tonly\tneed\tto\tread\tone\tpage\tof his\twriting\tto\tremember\twhy. The\tphone\trings\tand\tI\tlean\tover\tto\tpick\tit\tup.\tI\tdon\u2019t\teven\tget\ta\tchance\tto\tsay hello.\t\u201cAdam!\tIt\u2019s\tDaniel.\tGreat\tnews!\tI\talready\thave\tmultiple\toffers\ton\tthe\ttell- all.\u201d \u201cYou\tpitched\tthe\tbook?\tI\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tagree\tto\twrite\tit.\u201d \u201cAdam,\t you\t and\t I\t are\t one\t and\t the\t same.\t We\t both\t love\t money.\t Don\u2019t\t be","dumb.\t This\t is\t the\t chance\t of\t a\t lifetime.\t I\u2019m\t talking\t seven\t figures,\t movie\t deals, the\twhole\tshebang.\u201d\tHe\tstops\ttalking,\twaiting\tfor\tme\tto\tagree.\tI\tcan\thear\theavy breaths\tfrom\this\toverexcitement. My\teyes\tlight\tup,\tthinking\tof\tthe\tmoney,\tfame,\tand\tpower.\tA\tsmile\tgrows\ton my\tface\tthe\tmore\tI\tdaydream\tof\twhat\tmy\tlife\tcould\tbe,\tand\tthen\tI\tcan\u2019t\tstop\tmy own\tresponse\tfrom\tleaving\tmy\tmouth.\t\u201cFine.\tBut\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\twrite\tthe\ttruth\u2014 none\tof\tthis\t\u2018I\u2019m\tthe\tmurderer\u2019\tbullshit.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tperfect.\tPeople\tlike\ttrue\tcrime\tbetter\tthese\tdays\tanyway.\tI\u2019m\tsetting up\tan\tauction,\tso\tget\tto\twriting.\tI\u2019ll\tbe\tin\ttouch,\tbuddy.\u201d The\t phone\t clicks\t and\t I\t hang\t up\t the\t receiver,\t sitting\t there\t in\t a\t daze\t for\t a moment.\tHoly\tshit.\tAll\tmy\tdreams\tare\tfinally\tgoing\tto\tcome\ttrue.\tI\ttake\ta\tseat\tat my\tdesk,\tready\tto\tpour\tthe\tpages\tout.\tThis\tstory\tis\tgoing\tto\tmake\tmy\tcareer,\tit\u2019s going\t to\t make\t people\t know\t who\t Adam\t Morgan\t is.\t I\t crack\t my\t knuckles\t and open\ta\tblank\tword\tdocument.\tI\ttype,\tAdam\tMorgan:\tMurder\tHe\tWrote. There\u2019s\t a\t knock\t at\t the\t door.\t I\t turn\t in\t my\t seat\t and\t then\t it\t hits\t me.\t Damn,\t I forgot\tall\tabout\tRebecca\tand\tmy\tinvestigation.\tI\tcan\u2019t\tlet\tanything\tget\tin\tthe\tway of\t figuring\t out\t the\t truth.\t This\t book\t will\t mean\t nothing\t if\t I\u2019m\t rotting\t in\t a\t prison cell\tor\tworse,\tdead.\tI\tclose\tmy\tlaptop\tand\trush\tto\topen\tthe\tdoor.\tRebecca\twalks in\t before\t I\t even\t have\t a\t chance\t to\t invite\t her.\t Her\t hair\t is\t in\t tight\t curls\t under\t her hat,\tand\ther\tcheeks\tare\ta\trosy\tred. \u201cThat\twas\tquick,\u201d\tI\ttell\ther\tas\tshe\tremoves\ther\tcoat\tand\that\tand\ttakes\ta\tseat on\tthe\tcouch. \u201cI\t work\t fast,\t and\t you\t don\u2019t\t have\t much\t time,\u201d\t she\t says,\t picking\t up\t The Corrections.\tShe\tglances\t at\tit\tand\tsets\t it\ton\tthe\tcoffee\ttable.\t \u201cIf\tonly\the\t could have\tbeen\tmy\twriting\tprofessor.\u201d\tThere\u2019s\ta\tsmartass\tgrin\ton\ther\tface. \u201cThen\tyou\twouldn\u2019t\thave\tbeen\tat\ta\tcommunity\tcollege,\tnow\twould\tyou?\u201d\tI snap\t back,\t my\t jealousy\t coming\t through.\t I\t can\t tell\t by\t her\t eyes\t she\t knows\t the comment\t did\t its\t job.\t Her\t perceptivity\t is\t impressive.\t \u201cAnyway,\t you\u2019re\t right,\t I don\u2019t\thave\tmuch\ttime.\tCan\tI\tget\tyou\tsomething\tto\tdrink?\u201d She\tshakes\ther\thead,\tand\tI\tjoin\ther\ton\tthe\tcouch.\tRebecca\tpulls\tout\ta\tcouple of\tfile\tfolders\tand\tlays\tthem\tout\tin\tfront\tof\ther.\t\u201cYou\tready\tfor\tthis?\u201d I\tnod. \u201cOkay,\t so\t Kelly\t or\t Jenna\u2019s\t first\t husband\u2019s\t name\t was\t Greg,\t and\t they\t were married\tfor\ta\tyear\tand\ta\thalf\u2014got\tmarried\tyoung,\tlike\ttwenty.\tYou\tknow\tabout the\tmurder,\tthe\tmisplaced\tevidence,\tand\tthe\tfact\tthat\tScott\tSummers\thelped\ther get\taway\twith\tit.\tThe\ttwo\tleft\tWisconsin\tafter\tthe\tcase\twas\tclosed\tand\twound\tup here\t in\t Prince\t William\t County,\t Virginia.\u201d\t She\t flips\t through\t the\t papers.\t I\t take pages\there\tand\tthere,\treading\tthem\tmyself.\tMost\tof\tthis\tI\tknew. \u201cWhere\u2019s\tthe\tnew\tinfo?\tLike\this\tfamily\tor\tsomething?\u201d","\u201cI\u2019m\t getting\t there.\t Yes\u2014both\t his\t parents\t are\t still\t alive.\t But\t I\t couldn\u2019t\t find much\t about\t them.\t The\t father\t works\t in\t commercial\t real\t estate,\t and\t the\t mother does\t a\t lot\t of\t volunteer\t work.\t They\t don\u2019t\t seem\t like\t they\t would\t have\t had anything\t to\t do\t with\t this.\t They\u2019re\t in\t their\t sixties.\t It\t just\t seems\t like\t a\t bit\t of\t a stretch,\u201d\tshe\texplains. His\t sixty-year-old\t parents\t do\t seem\t a\t bit\t far-fetched.\t I\t mean,\t I\t couldn\u2019t imagine\t my\t own\t mom\t being\t involved\t in\t some\t vicious\t murder.\t But\t then\t again, Harold\tShipman,\tAKA\tDr.\tDeath\twas\tmurdering\tpeople\twell\tinto\this\tfifties,\tand that\tcouple\tin\tMissouri\tpicked\tup\tthe\thobby\tof\tkilling\tdrifters\tin\ttheir\tseventies. So,\tage\tdoesn\u2019t\treally\trule\tpeople\tout.\tIf\tnothing\telse\tturns\tup,\tI\u2019ll\thave\ther\tdig deeper\tinto\twhere\tthey\twere\twhen\tKelly\twas\tmurdered. \u201cHere\u2019s\t the\t thing\u2014Greg\t had\t a\t brother.\t His\t name\u2019s\t Nicholas\t Miller.\t Based on\twhat\tI\tcould\tdig\tup\u2014which\tisn\u2019t\ta\tlot\u2014I\tbelieve\the\tlives\tin\tthe\tarea.\u201d My\t eyes\t light\t up.\t It\t has\t to\t be\t him.\t Who\t else\t would\t want\t to\t kill\t Kelly? \u201cWhere\t does\t he\t live?\t Where\t does\t he\t work?\t Let\u2019s\t find\t him.\u201d\t This\t is\t it.\t This\t is my\tlifeline.\tThis\tis\tmy\tmiracle.\tEverything\tis\tgoing\tto\tbe\tokay. \u201cSee,\t here\u2019s\t the\t thing.\t I\t called\t the\t home\t and\t spoke\t with\t the\t mother.\t The conversation\tI\thad\twith\ther\tis\talso\twhy\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tthink\tthe\tparents\thad\tanything\tto do\twith\tthis.\tShe\twas\tso\tfriendly\tand\tnice.\tI\tenjoyed\tspeaking\twith\ther.\tI\tmight just\tcall\ther\tregularly\tsince\tmy\town\tmom\tis\tsuch\ta\tjerk.\u201d \u201cOkay,\tget\tto\tthe\tpoint,\tRebecca.\tWe\tcan\ttalk\tall\tabout\tyour\tfamily\tproblems after\tI\u2019m\tcleared\tof\tthis.\u201d \u201cSorry.\t Anyway.\t I\t asked\t for\t Nicholas\t since\t when\t I\t pulled\t the\t background report\ton\tGreg,\tI\tsaw\the\thad\tan\tolder\tbrother.\tWell,\tthe\tmother\ttold\tme\the\thad just\tvisited\tand\tleft\tthe\tother\tday\tto\thead\tback\tto\tMaryland.\u201d \u201cMaryland.\tThat\u2019s\tnot\tVirginia,\u201d\tI\tsay. \u201cCorrect,\tbut\tit\u2019s\tvery\tclose.\tThere\tare\tso\tmany\tcities,\tand\ttowns\the\tcould\tbe in\tthat\tare\tless\tthan\ttwo\thours\tfrom\there.\tHe\tcould\thave\teasily\tdone\tthis.\u201d \u201cHow\tdo\twe\tfind\thim?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tstill\tlooking.\tI\thaven\u2019t\tbeen\table\tto\tlocate\ta\tNicholas\tMiller,\tbut\tI\thave found\tsome\tothers\twith\tthat\tsame\tlast\tname.\tI\twas\tgoing\tto\tstart\tthere\tand\tsee\tif anyone\tknows\thim.\tIt\u2019s\tnot\tthat\tcommon\tof\ta\tname,\tso\tI\tmight\tjust\tget\tlucky,\u201d she\tsays. \u201cWell,\thow\t\u2018not\tcommon\u2019\tis\tit?\u201d \u201cI\t have\t a\t list\t of\t seventy-two\t people\t with\t the\t same\t last\t name\t within\t a\t two- hour\tradius,\tand\tsince\tyou\thave\tnothing\tgoing\ton\tin\tthe\tmeantime,\tI\tthought\tyou could\t help\t me\t tackle\t half\t this\t list.\u201d\t She\t hands\t me\t a\t page\t full\t of\t names, addresses,\tand\tphone\tnumbers. \u201cThere\u2019s\tlike\tfifty\tnames\ton\tmy\tlist.\tThat\u2019s\tnot\thalf.\u201d","\u201cI\tknow.\tBecause\tsome\tof\tthese\tdon\u2019t\thave\tphone\tnumbers,\tso\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tto need\tto\tmake\tsome\thome\tvisits.\tI\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tcomplaining\tif\tI\twere\tyou.\tYour life\tis\tliterally\ton\tthe\tline,\u201d\tshe\treminds\tme. \u201cTrust\tme.\tI\tknow.\u201d\tI\troll\tmy\teyes. \u201cGreat.\tWell,\tyou\tget\tto\twork\ton\tthose,\tand\tI\u2019ll\tbe\tback\tlate\ttomorrow.\tCall me\tif\tyou\tfind\tanything.\u201d \u201cAnd\tyou\tdo\tthe\tsame.\u201d \u201cOh,\tI\twill.\u201d\tShe\tpacks\tup\ther\tstuff. Before\tshe\tleaves,\tI\tcall\ther\tname.\tShe\tturns\tto\tlook\tat\tme.\t\u201cBe\tsafe.\u201d She\t smiles,\t nods,\t and\t then\t leaves\t me\t there\t with\t a\t page\t of\t phone\t numbers. One\t of\t these\t sets\t of\t numbers\t just\t might\t be\t my\t winning\t ticket\u2014my\t very\t own lottery.\tI\tpick\tup\tthe\tcorded\tphone\tand\tstart\tdialing.","35","SARAH\tMORGAN A nne\t informed\t me\t on\t my\t drive\t that\t Sheriff\t Stevens\t was\t giving\t her\t grief about\tmeeting\tme\tat\tSeth\u2019s\tCoffee.\tI\u2019m\tnot\tsure\twhat\this\tdeal\tis,\tbut\tI\u2019m going\tto\tfind\tout.\tI\tdon\u2019t\thave\ttime\tfor\this\tgames.\tTime\tis\trunning\tout,\tand\the\u2019s going\tto\thelp\tme\twhether\the\twants\tto\tor\tnot.\tI\u2019m\tnot\tentirely\tsure\twhat\tchanged. He\t went\t from\t being\t flirty\t and\t telling\t me\t he\t would\t help\t me\t with\t anything\t to scurrying\t off\t suddenly\t at\t the\t lake\t house,\t and\t now\t ignoring\t me.\t I\t can\u2019t\t even recall\t what\t happened\t that\t made\t his\t whole\t demeanor\t change.\t Was\t it\t something Adam\tsaid?\tDid\tAdam\tthreaten\thim? Adam\twas\tacting\ta\tbit\todd\tthat\tnight.\tBut\tI\tjust\tassumed\tit\twas\tbecause\the\u2019s on\ttrial\tfor\tmurder\tand\tif\twe\tlose,\the\u2019ll\tget\tthe\tdeath\tpenalty.\tI\u2019d\tbe\tacting\tweird too. I\u2019m\t driving\t straight\t to\t the\t police\t station\t to\t catch\t up\t with\t Sheriff\t Stevens before\the\tleaves\tfor\tthe\tday.\tI\tneed\this\thelp\tfinding\tJesse\tHook,\tand\tI\tneed\this police\tresources\tto\tdiscover\teverything\tthere\tis\tto\tknow\tabout\thim\tand\tfind\tout if\this\tDNA\tmatches\twith\tthat\tthird\tset.\tPlus,\tthere\u2019s\tstill\tthat\tphoto\tthat\tsomeone sent\tAdam.\tWhoever\tit\tis\tknows\tsomething\u2014and\tI\u2019d\tstill\tlike\tto\tinterview\tScott Summers\tand\this\tcocky\tpartner,\tMarcus.\tThey\u2019ve\tboth\trubbed\tme\tup\tthe\twrong way. I\t fly\t into\t the\t police\t station\t parking\t lot\t and\t charge\t right\t in\t through\t the\t front doors,\t wearing\t five-inch\t nude\t Louboutin\t heels\t and\t a\t white\t dress\t with\t a\t camel- colored\ttrench\tcoat.\t\u201cI\tneed\tto\tsee\tSheriff\tStevens,\u201d\tI\tsay\tto\tthe\twoman\tworking the\tfront\tdesk.\tShe\u2019s\tdull\tand\ttired-looking.\tHaggard\twould\tprobably\tbe\tthe\tbest word\tfor\ther. \u201cAnd\tyou\tare?\u201d \u201cSarah\tMorgan.\u201d \u201cLet\tme\tsee\tif\the\u2019s\tavailable.\u201d\tShe\treturns\ta\tfew\tmoments\tlater.\t\u201cSorry,\the\u2019s","busy\tright\tnow.\tYou\tcan\tcome\tback\tlater.\u201d \u201cListen,\t lady.\t I\t just\t drove\t over\t an\t hour\t to\t get\t here.\t I\t am\t going\t to\t see\t him now!\u201d She\trolls\ther\teyes\tand\tjust\tbefore\tshe\u2019s\tabout\tto\tspeak\tagain\tto\ttell\tme\tno\tor I\u2019ll\thave\tto\twait,\tI\tscurry\tpast\tthe\tdesk.\tShe\ttells\tme\tto\tstop\tand\tfollows\tbehind. She\u2019s\t a\t bit\t plump\t and\t old,\t so\t she\u2019s\t no\t match\t for\t me\t even\t in\t my\t heels.\t I\t throw open\tthe\tdoor\tto\this\toffice.\tSheriff\tStevens\tis\tsitting\tthere\teating\ta\tsandwich.\tHe looks\tup\tat\tme\tand\ttosses\this\tfood\ton\tthe\tdesk.\t\u201cDamn\tit,\tMarge!\u201d The\t receptionist\t appears\t behind\t me.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry,\t sir.\t She\t just\t ran\t past\t me. She\u2019s\ta\tpersistent\tlittle\tshrew,\u201d\tMarge\tsays\tas\tshe\ttries\tto\tgrab\tmy\tarm.\tI\telbow her,\t and\t she\t clutches\t at\t her\t stomach\t in\t pain.\t I\t enter\t the\t office,\t smooth\t out\t my dress,\tand\ttake\ta\tseat. \u201cI\u2019m\tso\thappy\tyou\tcould\tsqueeze\tme\tin.\u201d\tI\tsmile. Sheriff\t Stevens\t shoos\t Marge\t away,\t accepting\t defeat.\t \u201cWhat\t do\t you\t need, Sarah?\u201d\the\tasks\tleaning\tback\tin\this\tchair. \u201cYour\thelp.\u201d \u201cI\ttold\tyou\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tput\tany\tmore\tman-hours\ton\tthis\tcase.\tThe\tcharges\thave already\tbeen\tfiled.\u201d \u201cWhat\t happened\t to\t you\t saying\t that\t you\t would\t help\t me\t regardless\t and\t that you\u2019d\tbe\tthere\tfor\tme\tno\tmatter\twhat?\u201d\tMy\teyes\tnarrow. \u201cThings\tchanged.\u201d \u201cWhat\tchanged?\u201d \u201cFor\tstarters,\tI\u2019ve\tfound\tno\tnew\tevidence.\u201d\tHe\tputs\this\thands\tin\tfront\tof\this chest,\tpressing\this\tfingertips\ttogether. \u201cBecause\tyou\thaven\u2019t\tlooked,\u201d\tI\targue. \u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\tdare\tquestion\tmy\tinvestigation.\u201d\tHe\tpoints\ta\tfinger\tat\tme.\t\u201cAnd\tI think\tAdam\tjust\tmay\thave\tdone\tit.\u201d My\teyes\tgrow\twide.\t\u201cWhy\twould\tyou\tthink\tthat\tall\tof\ta\tsudden?\u201d \u201cThat\t thought\t has\t always\t been\t there.\t I\t just\t thought\t there\t may\t have\t been other\tpossibilities\tand\tthere\twasn\u2019t\tany\tthat\twe\tcould\tfind.\tSo,\tcase\tclosed.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tnot\thow\tthis\tworks.\u201d \u201cActually,\t you\t of\t all\t people\t should\t know\t that\t this\t is\t exactly\t how\t it\t works. That\u2019s\tthe\tjustice\tsystem\tfor\tyou.\u201d\tHe\tshrugs. I\t cross\t my\t arms\t showing\t how\t displeased\t I\t am\t with\t him.\t Of\t course,\t that\u2019s how\tthe\tjustice\tsystem\tworks.\tI\tknow\tthat,\tand\tI\tdon\u2019t\tneed\thim\ttelling\tme\tthat. I\t need\t him\t to\t find\t out\t who\t the\t third\t set\t of\t DNA\t belongs\t to\t and\t whether\t or\t not this\t Jesse\t Hook\t knows\t more.\t He\t went\t from\t being\t this\t nice\t gentleman\t to\t this total\tasshole\tin\tthe\tblink\tof\tan\teye. \u201cWell,\tlucky\tfor\tyou\u2014I\u2019ve\tbeen\tdoing\tyour\tjob.\u201d","\u201cMy\t job\t here\t is\t done,\t Mrs.\t Morgan.\t Now,\t you\t can\t leave\t my\t office.\u201d\t He points\tto\tthe\tdoor. \u201cThen\twho\u2019s\tJesse\tHook?\tDid\tyou\tlook\tinto\thim\tat\tall?\u201d He\tgives\tme\ta\tbewildered\tlook.\t\u201cName\tdoesn\u2019t\tring\ta\tbell.\u201d \u201cExactly.\t I\t thought\t so.\t Apparently\t this\t Jesse\t Hook\t was\t a\t bit\t obsessed\t with Kelly,\tpractically\tstalking\ther.\tA\tco-worker\tof\thers,\tBrenda,\tsaid\tthat\twhenever she\t saw\t Kelly,\t Jesse\t was\t nearby.\t I\t wonder\t how\t close\t Jesse\t got\t to\t her\t and\t how much\the\tsaw\tof\ther\tthat\tnight\tor\tmaybe\the\twas\tthere.\tMaybe\the\tdid\tit.\tMaybe\the saw\tthe\tman\tthat\tdid\tit.\tOr\tmaybe\the\twasn\u2019t\tthe\tother\tman\tin\ther\tlife,\tbut\tmaybe he\tknows\twho\tthat\tman\tis.\u201d\tI\tgive\thim\ta\tsmirk\tand\traise\tan\teyebrow. Sheriff\tStevens\tdoesn\u2019t\tspeak.\tI\tcan\tsee\thim\tmulling\tover\teverything\tI\tsaid.\tI toss\tthe\tfolder\twith\teverything\twe\thave\ton\tJesse\tonto\this\tdesk.\tHe\tflips\tthrough it.\tOn\tthe\tthird\tpage\tis\ta\tlarge\tphoto\tof\tJesse\ttaken\tfrom\tan\told\tnewspaper\twhere he\tplaced\tin\tsome\tart\tshow.\tHe\thas\tshaggy\tbrown\thair\tand\ta\tcold\tstare.\tHe\u2019s\tnot smiling,\tbut\the\tseems\tpleased\twith\thimself. \u201cI\u2019ve\tseen\tthis\tkid\taround,\u201d\tSheriff\tStevens\tsays. \u201cAnd?\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\tlook\tinto\tit.\u201d\tHe\tcloses\tup\tthe\tfolder. \u201cI\u2019d\tlike\tto\tbe\tthere\twhen\the\u2019s\tquestioned.\u201d \u201cSarah,\tyou\u2019re\tnot\ta\tmember\tof\tthis\tpolice\tdepartment.\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t care.\t I\t want\t to\t be\t there,\t and\t I\u2019m\t going\t to\t be\t there.\t How\t long\t until you\tcan\tget\thim\tin?\u201d He\t rubs\t his\t forehead\t in\t annoyance.\t He\t knows\t I\u2019m\t not\t giving\t up,\t and\t he knows\t arguing\t with\t me\t won\u2019t\t do\t him\t any\t good.\t \u201cFine.\t I\t can\t get\t a\t car\t to\t bring him\tin\twithin\tthe\thour.\u201d \u201cPerfect.\tI\u2019ll\tbe\tin\tthe\twaiting\tarea.\tText\tme\twhen\the\tarrives.\u201d Sheriff\t Stevens\t nods.\t As\t I\u2019m\t leaving\t his\t office,\t he\t stops\t me.\t \u201cWant\t some company?\u201d \u201cNo,\tI\tthink\tI\u2019ve\thad\tjust\tabout\tenough\tof\tyour\tcompany.\u201d I\tleave\this\toffice\tand\tpull\tout\tmy\tphone,\tsending\tAnne\ta\tquick\ttext. We\tgot\thim.\tI\u2019ll\tbe\tback\tlate\tthis\tafternoon.","36","ADAM\tMORGAN I \u2019ve\t made\t it\t through\t half\t the\t list\t with\t no\t luck.\t No\t one\t has\t even\t heard\t of\t a Nicholas\tMiller.\tI\tdecide\tto\ttake\ta\tbreak\tfrom\tcold-calling\tand\tpour\tmyself\ta scotch\tat\tthe\twet\tbar.\tMy\tdecanter\tis\tempty,\tbut\tthere\u2019s\ttwo\tfull\tbottles\tof\tscotch next\t to\t it,\t courtesy\t of\t Sarah.\t I\t pour\t myself\t a\t double,\t slam\t it,\t and\t then\t pour another.\tI\tslowly\tsip\tthis\tone\twhile\tI\tlight\tthe\tfire. It\u2019s\tstill\tbright\tout,\tbut\tI\tdon\u2019t\tcare.\tI\tclose\tthe\tcurtains\tand\tmake\tthe\thouse as\t dark\t as\t I\t can\t manage\t with\t only\t the\t fireplace\t providing\t any\t light.\t It\u2019s\t how\t I feel\t right\t now\u2014dark,\t hopeless,\t and\t just\t waiting\t for\t my\t time\t to\t pass.\t I\t sip slowly.\tPerhaps\tthe\tslower\tI\tdrink,\tthe\tslower\tmy\ttime\twill\tpass\tby. I\tsit\tthere\tfor\ta\tgood\ttwenty\tminutes,\tstewing\tin\tmy\town\tdepression.\tIs\tthis\tit for\tme?\tI\tmake\tone\tmistake\tand\tmy\tlife\tis\tover.\tHow\tis\tthat\tfair?\tHow\tis\tany\tof this\tfair?\tThere\u2019s\ta\tlot\tof\tthings\tI\tdeserve,\tbut\tjail\tor\texecution\tisn\u2019t\tone\tof\tthem. I\tguess\tthis\tis\tthe\tlife\tI\tchose.\tThis\tis\tthe\tpath\tI\tdecided\tto\twalk\tdown.\tThis\tis\tit. After\t the\t scotch\t makes\t its\t way\t through\t my\t bloodstream,\t I\t try\t calling Rebecca,\tbut\tI\tget\ther\tvoicemail,\tand\talthough\tleaving\ta\tvoicemail\tisn\u2019t\tthe\tcool thing\t to\t do\t these\t days,\t I\t do\t it\t anyway.\t \u201cHey,\t Rebecca,\t it\u2019s\t me\u2014Adam.\t I\u2019m about\t halfway\t done\t and\t haven\u2019t\t gotten\t anything\t yet.\t Was\t hoping\t you\u2019d\t be having\tbetter\tluck.\tTaking\ta\tbreak\tright\tnow,\tbut\tI\u2019ll\tstart\tback\tup.\tIf\tyou\twant to\t come\t over\t for\t dinner,\t feel\t free\t to.\t I\u2019ve\t got\t a\t couple\t of\t steaks\t in\t the\t freezer. Anyway,\tI\u2019ll\ttalk\tto\tyou\tlater.\u201d\tI\thang\tup\tthe\tphone.\tThat\tdinner\tinvitation\twas the\tscotch\ttalking. I\t dial\t again.\t It\t rings\t and\t rings,\t and\t then\t Sarah\u2019s\t voicemail\t picks\t up.\t \u201cHey, Sarah.\tIt\u2019s\tme\u2014Adam.\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\tthinking\tabout\tyou.\tI\tmiss\tyou.\tPlease\tcall\tme. I\tlove\tyou\u2026\tSarah\u2026\u201d\tI\ttrail\toff\tand\tjust\thang\tup\tthe\tphone. I\u2019m\tnot\tsure\twhy\tshe\u2019s\ttoo\tbusy\tto\treturn\ta\tcall\tto\tme.\tI\tcalled\ther\tearlier\ttoo, and\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tpick\tup.\tI\tknow\tthings\tgot\tweird\ton\tFriday\tnight,\tbut\tI\tthought\twe","had\ta\tsweet\tmoment.\tI\tthought\twe\twere\tmaking\tprogress.\tI\thaven\u2019t\ttouched\tthe box\tof\tevidence\tshe\tbrought\tover.\tI\tstill\tthink\tsomeone\tfrom\tKelly\u2019s\tpast\thas\tto be\t responsible\t for\t her\t murder.\t If\t someone\t murdered\t the\t person\t I\t love,\t I\t would never\tlet\tit\t go,\tever.\tI\t would\twait\tuntil\t I\t had\t an\topportunity\tto\t get\t them\t back, even\t if\t it\t took\t years\t or\t my\t whole\t life.\t I\t truly\t believe\t Greg\u2019s\t brother\t has\t done that.\tIt\u2019s\tthe\tonly\texplanation. Then\tagain,\tit\tcould\tbe\tScott\ttoo.\tI\tneed\tto\tspeak\twith\thim\tagain\tand\treally get\ta\tfeel\tfor\thim.\tHe\tcaught\tme\toff\tguard\tlast\ttime,\tbut\tthis\ttime\tI\u2019d\tbe\tready.\tI should\tsee\tif\tI\tcan\tget\thim\tto\tcome\tto\tthe\thouse.\tMaybe\thave\tSarah\there\ttoo\tso she\t can\t get\t a\t read\t on\t him.\t That\u2019s\t always\t been\t her\t gift\u2014reading\t people; however,\tshe\tfailed\tto\tdo\tso\tall\tthis\ttime\twhen\tI\twas\tseeing\tKelly.\tShe\tmay\thave lost\ther\ttouch. And\t then\t there\u2019s\t that\t photo.\t Who\t could\t have\t seen\t us?\t Was\t it\t Scott?\t Or maybe\tsomeone\tclose\tto\thim? The\t front\t door\t opens\t and\t closes.\t Heels\t click\t along\t the\t floor\t and\t in\t walks Mom\t dressed\t in\t a\t long\t black\t peacoat\t and\t heels.\t She\t sets\t two\t bags\t of\t groceries on\tthe\tkitchen\ttable. \u201cWhy\t is\t it\t so\t dark\t in\t here?\u201d\t she\t asks\t immediately\t walking\t around\t ripping open\tall\tthe\tcurtains,\tletting\ta\tflood\tof\tbeaming\tlight\tin. I\tsquint\tand\trub\tmy\teyes,\tstanding\tfrom\tthe\tcouch.\t\u201cJesus,\tMom.\u201d \u201cYou\t can\u2019t\t live\t in\t a\t cave.\u201d\t She\t walks\t back\t to\t the\t kitchen\t and\t begins unpacking\tthe\tbags. I\tslide\tthe\tlist\tof\tphone\tnumbers\tinto\ta\tpile\tand\tfollow\ther\tinto\tthe\tkitchen.\tI don\u2019t\t want\t to\t explain\t Rebecca\t or\t my\t side\t investigation.\t She\u2019ll\t ask\t a\t million questions\tand\tinsist\ton\thelping. \u201cWhat\thave\tyou\tbeen\tup\tto\ttoday?\u201d\tMom\tasks. \u201cI\twas\tjust\tdoing\tsome\twork.\tWhat\tdid\tyou\tget?\u201d \u201cJust\tsome\ttreats\tfor\tyou\u2014Lunchables,\tstring\tcheese,\tGushers,\tGo-Gurt.\tAll your\tfavorite\tchildhood\tsnacks.\u201d\tShe\tsmiles\tat\tme. \u201cI\tgot\tsome\tgood\tnews\ttoday.\u201d She\t stops\t what\t she\u2019s\t doing.\t Her\t eyes\t light\t up.\t \u201cThey\u2019re\t dropping\t the charges?\tThey\tfound\tthe\treal\tmurderer?\u201d\tMom\u2019s\tnearly\tjumping\tup\tand\tdown. \u201cNo,\tMom.\tMy\tagent\tis\tworking\ton\ta\tbook\tdeal\tfor\tme.\u201d Her\texcitement\ttapers,\tand\tshe\tbusies\therself\tby\topening\ta\tstring\tcheese\tand handing\tit\tto\tme.\tShe\tpats\tme\ton\tthe\tshoulder\tand\tsmiles.\tInstead\tof\tpeeling\tit,\tI just\ttake\ta\tbite\tout\tof\tthe\tend.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\ta\ttell-all.\tIt\u2019s\thuge,\tMom.\tHe\u2019s\ttalking\tseven figures\tand\ta\tmovie\tdeal.\u201d \u201cOh,\thoney.\tThat\u2019s\tamazing.\tI\u2019m\tproud\tof\tyou.\tYour\tfather\twould\tbe\tproud too.\u201d\tMom\tgives\tme\ta\ttight\thug.","I\u2019m\t not\t sure\t that\u2019s\t true,\t given\t my\t circumstances.\t \u201cWhat\t have\t you\t been\t up to?\u201d \u201cRunning\terrands.\tI\twent\tand\ttalked\tto\ta\tfew\tlawyers\tas\twell.\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d\tI\traise\tan\teyebrow. \u201cTo\tmake\tsure\tyou\thave\tthe\tbest\tpossible\tdefense,\tand\tas\tit\tturns\tout,\tevery lawyer\tI\tspoke\tto\tagreed\tSarah\twas\tmore\tthan\tqualified.\tNot\tsure\tI\tbelieve\tthat. Probably\tjust\thas\tto\tdo\twith\tall\tthe\t\u2018female\tempowerment\u2019\thype\tthese\tdays,\u201d\tshe snarks. \u201cMom.\tStop.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t surprised\t though.\t I\t thought\t lawyers\t were\t money-hungry\t ambulance chasers.\t Not\t one\t of\t them\t was\t even\t interested\t in\t taking\t your\t case.\t Something about\t it\t being\t a\t lost\t cause\u2026\t but\t that\u2019s\t just\t because\t they\t don\u2019t\t know\t my\t son.\u201d She\tpinches\tmy\tcheek\taffectionately. \u201cThat\u2019s\treassuring,\u201d\tI\tsay\tsarcastically. \u201cI\t know\t you\u2019re\t innocent,\t cubbie-bear,\t and\t innocent\t people\t don\u2019t\t go\t to prison.\u201d\tShe\tfinishes\tputting\taway\tthe\tgroceries. \u201cThat\u2019s\t not\t true\t at\t all.\t There\u2019s\t literally\t a\t nonprofit\t organization\t that\t helps exonerate\twrongly\tconvicted\tpeople.\u201d \u201cRegardless,\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tgoing\tto\tjail\tso\tyou\twon\u2019t\thave\tto\tworry\tabout\tthat. I\u2019ll\t make\t sure\t Sarah\t gets\t this\t whole\t thing\t over\t with\t as\t soon\t as\t possible.\u201d\t She opens\ta\tpack\tof\tGushers\tand\thands\tit\tto\tme.\t\u201cNow,\tI\tjust\tcame\tover\tto\tdrop\toff some\t groceries\t before\t I\t leave\t town.\t I\t have\t a\t commitment\t I\t couldn\u2019t\t get\t out\t of, but\tI\twill\tbe\tback\ttomorrow.\u201d She\tkisses\tme\ton\tthe\tcheek\tand\tleaves\tthe\thouse.\tI\tpop\tone\tof\tthe\tcandies\tin my\tmouth\tand\tbite\tdown.\tThe\tjuice\toozes\tout\tand\tarouses\tall\tmy\ttaste\tbuds\tto\ta tart,\tsweet\ttaste.\tJust\thow\tI\tremembered\tit\tas\ta\tkid.\tI\ttoss\tthe\trest\tin\tmy\tmouth, walk\tback\tinto\tthe\tliving\troom,\tand\tpick\tup\tthe\tlist\tof\tphone\tnumbers.\tI\thave\tto get\tthrough\tthese\tnumbers.\tInnocent\tpeople\tdo\tgo\tto\tprison,\tand\tI\twon\u2019t\tbe\tone of\tthem.\tI\tpick\tup\tthe\tphone\tand\tbegin\tdialing.","37","SARAH\tMORGAN I t\u2019s\t about\t an\t hour\t later\t when\t Sheriff\t Stevens\t comes\t down\t to\t get\t me.\t His demeanor\tseems\ta\tbit\tmore\tclosed\toff,\tbut\twhen\the\tspeaks,\the\u2019s\tkind.\tIt\u2019s\tas if\the\tis\tfighting\ta\tbattle\twith\thimself\tabout\thow\texactly\the\tshould\tbehave\taround me,\thow\the\tshould\ttreat\tme,\thow\the\twants\tme\tto\tview\thim. \u201cWe\u2019re\tready\tfor\tyou,\tSarah.\u201d\tHe\ttaps\tme\ton\tthe\tshoulder\tjust\tas\tI\u2019m\ttaking a\t bite\t out\t of\t a\t stale\t sandwich\t from\t the\t vending\t machine.\t I\t tell\t him\t okay\t and wrap\tup\tthe\tremainder\tof\tit.\tHe\u2019s\treturned\tto\tcalling\tme\t\u201cSarah\u201d\tas\twell.\tI\tcan\u2019t read\tthis\tguy,\tbut\tI\tfeel\tlike\the\u2019s\thiding\tsomething\tor\tmaybe\tjust\tnot\tsharing\tthe full\ttruth\twith\tme. \u201cWe\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tput\tyou\tin\tthe\tviewing\troom\twhile\tI\tquestion\tJesse\tHook.\u201d As\twe\twalk,\this\thand\tbumps\tmine.\tHe\tsays\tsorry\tand\tsmiles\tat\tme.\tI\treturn the\tsmile,\tand\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhy\tI\tdo. \u201cRight\t this\t way.\u201d\t He\t directs\t me\t into\t a\t small\t room\t with\t a\t large\t viewing window\t looking\t into\t the\t interrogation\t room,\t the\t same\t place\t Scott\t attacked Adam\t and\t the\t same\t room\t I\t learned\t of\t all\t of\t Adam\u2019s\t infidelities\t and\t lies.\t In\t a chair\twhere\tAdam\tonce\tsat\tis\tJesse\tHook.\tI\trecognize\thim\tfrom\this\tphoto\teven though\t it\t was\t taken\t years\t ago.\t His\t face\t is\t a\t bit\t scruffy\t now,\t and\t he\u2019s\t thin\t and lanky.\t His\t shaggy\t ash-brown\t hair\t doesn\u2019t\t appear\t to\t have\t been\t brushed\t in\t days. He\u2019s\twearing\tan\toversized\tzip-up\thoodie\tand\tjeans.\tAnd\the\tlooks\tscared.\tThat\u2019s what\tstands\tout\tmost\tof\tall.\tThe\tfear\tin\this\teyes. Did\t he\t do\t it?\t Does\t he\t know\t who\t did\t it?\t What\t is\t he\t afraid\t of?\t Who\t is\t he afraid\tof?\tHe\tseems\tlike\tthe\tnervous\ttype\tand\tsometimes\tnerves\tread\tas\tfear,\tbut this\tseems\tdifferent.\tMaybe\tI\u2019m\treading\ttoo\tmuch\tinto\tit\u2014hoping\tit\u2019s\tmore\tthan it\tis,\thoping\the\thas\tthe\tanswers\tI\u2019m\tlooking\tfor.\tI\u2019m\tnot\tone\tto\twait\taround\tfor answers.\t I\t seek\t them\t out.\t I\t hate\t this.\t I\t hate\t waiting.\t I\t hate\t not\t knowing.\t This little\tprick\tbetter\tknow\twhat\tI\tneed\thim\tto\tknow.","\u201cI\u2019ll\tbe\tright\tin\tthere\tif\tyou\tneed\tme.\tJust\ttell\tan\tofficer.\u201d A\tmoment\tor\ttwo\tlater,\tSheriff\tStevens\tenters,\ttaking\ta\tseat\tin\tfront\tof\tJesse. Jesse\u2019s\teyes\twiden.\tHe\tgrows\tuneasy,\tshifting\tuncomfortably\tin\this\tchair.\tI\tcan see\t his\t chest\t rise\t and\t fall\t as\t he\t inhales\t and\t exhales\t deeply.\t He\t glances\t around. Sheriff\t Stevens\t hits\t the\t record\t button\t at\t the\t end\t of\t the\t table\t and\t takes\t a\t seat across\tfrom\tJesse.\tHe\tis\tcalm\tand\tcollected,\tbut\tJesse\tis\tstarting\tto\tperspire.\tHe is\tlooking\teverywhere\telse\tin\tthe\troom\tbut\tat\tSheriff\tStevens.\tI\teven\tcatch\thim looking\t at\t the\t one-way\t mirror,\t and\t it\t feels\t like\t he\t is\t looking\t directly\t at\t me\u2014 almost\t trying\t to\t say\t something\t to\t whoever\t is\t on\t the\t other\t side.\t I\t stop\t myself from\tbursting\tin\tand\tasking\tevery\tquestion\tI\thaven\u2019t\thad\tan\tanswer\tto\tsince\tthis case\tbegan. \u201cBrenda\t Johnson,\t an\t employee\t at\t Seth\u2019s\t Coffee,\t informed\t us\t that\t you\t had frequently\t been\t visiting\t the\t victim,\t Kelly\t Summers,\t days,\t weeks,\t if\t not\t months leading\tup\tto\ther\tdeath.\tIs\tthat\ttrue?\u201d\tSheriff\tStevens\tasks. Jesse\tseems\tto\tbecome\tmore\tcomfortable\tat\tthat\tquestion.\tHe\tstraightens\tup in\t his\t seat,\t brushes\t his\t hair\t out\t of\t his\t eyes,\t and\t folds\t his\t hands\t in\t front\t of himself\t on\t the\t table.\t \u201cYes,\t I\t knew\t of\t Kelly\t Summers\t as\t I\t do\t frequent\t Seth\u2019s Coffee,\tso\tthat\tis\ttrue.\tI\treally\tenjoyed\ther\tservice,\u201d\tJesse\tsays\tcalmly. Sheriff\tStevens\tlooks\thim\tup\tand\tdown,\talmost\tevaluating\tand\tsizing\thim\tup. \u201cYou\tenjoyed\ther\tservice?\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d\tJesse\tnods \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tmean\tby\tthat?\u201d \u201cShe\t was\t friendly.\t She\t always\t refilled\t my\t cup,\t and\t I\t left\t Seth\u2019s\t Coffee satisfied\tevery\ttime.\u201d Sheriff\tStevens\tgives\thim\ta\tdirty\tlook,\tand\tit\u2019s\tthen\tthat\tI\twonder\tif\tJesse\tis playing\tsome\tsort\tof\tgame\twith\thim.\t\u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tmean\tby\t\u2018satisfied?\u2019\u201d \u201cWell\t served,\u201d\t he\t answers\t quickly.\t I\t can\t hear\t Sheriff\t Steven\t visibly\t groan. Jesse\t appears\t to\t have\t taken\t hold\t of\t the\t confidence\t he\t didn\u2019t\t have\t earlier,\t and I\u2019m\tnot\tsure\twhat\tchanged. \u201cSince\tyou\twere\tat\tSeth\u2019s\tCoffee\ta\tlot,\tsurely\tyou\twould\thave\tnoticed\tKelly Summers\t and\t anyone\t she\t had\t been\t frequenting\t there\t with\t or\t speaking\t with.\u201d Sheriff\tStevens\tglares\tat\tJesse. \u201cI\u2019m\tsure\tI\twould\thave.\u201d\tJesse\tfolds\this\tarms\tinto\this\tchest. \u201cBrenda\tmentioned\tthat\tyou\tmay\thave\tbeen\ta\tbit\tobsessed\twith\tKelly.\tThat the\tattention\twas\tunwanted.\u201d Jesse\tonce\tagain\tgrows\tuncomfortable.\tHis\tconfidence\tdrains\tfrom\this\tbody like\t a\t sand\t hourglass\t timer.\t \u201cThat\u2019s\t not\t true,\u201d\t he\t says\t with\t the\t last\t bit\t of assurance\the\thas. \u201cWhat\u2019s\tnot\ttrue?\u201d\tSheriff\tStevens\tmatches\this\tdemeanor\tfolding\this\tarms\tin","front\tof\this\twide\tchest. \u201cI\twasn\u2019t\tobsessed\twith\tKelly.\tWe\twere\tfriends.\u201d \u201cWell,\t what\t kind\t of\t friend\t tells\t the\t other\t to\t leave\t them\t alone\t or\t begs\t their co-worker\tto\tintervene?\u201d \u201cWhat\tare\tyou\ttrying\tto\tsay?\u201d\tJesse\u2019s\teyebrows\tpinch\ttogether. \u201cFrom\t the\t sounds\t of\t it,\t Kelly\t wasn\u2019t\t comfortable\t with\t your\t presence.\t She would\task\ther\tco-workers,\tspecifically\tBrenda,\tto\ttake\tyour\ttable\twhenever\tyou came\t in,\t because\t quote,\t \u2018you\t made\t her\t uncomfortable,\u2019\t unquote.\t Why\t do\t you think\tthat\tis?\u201d Jesse\u2019s\t face\t turns\t a\t deep\t red.\t I\t can\t see\t him\t let\t out\t a\t large\t breath\t of\t air\t that blows\this\thair\tout\tof\this\teyes.\t\u201cShe\u2019s\tlying.\tKelly\tand\tI\twere\tfriends.\tShe\tgave me\ther\tphone\tnumber\tand\teverything.\u201d\tHe\tslams\this\tfist\ton\tthe\ttable. \u201cYes,\t we\t saw\t you\t had\t texted\t her\t on\t the\t night\t of\t her\t murder\t \u2018I\u2019m\t sorry.\u2019 What\twere\tyou\tapologizing\tfor?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tShe\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tanswering\tmy\tphone\tcalls.\tI\tfigured\tshe\twas mad\tat\tme\tfor\tsomething.\u201d\tHe\tregains\this\tcomposure\tand\tjust\tshrugs. \u201cIt\tdoesn\u2019t\tseem\tlike\tyou\ttwo\twere\tactually\tfriends.\u201d \u201cBut\twe\twere.\u201d \u201cCan\tyou\tprove\tthis?\tYour\tfriendship?\u201d \u201cYeah,\tI\tcan.\tI\tknew\twho\ther\tfriends\twere\tor\tat\tleast\tthe\tpeople\tshe\twas\twith a\tlot.\tOne\tof\tthem\twas\ta\tcop.\u201d\tJesse\tjuts\tup\this\tchin\tand\traises\this\teyebrows. \u201cYou\t mean\t Officer\t Scott\t Summers,\t her\t husband?\u201d\t Sheriff\t Stevens\t shifts\t in his\t seat\t and\t places\t his\t elbows\t on\t the\t table.\t The\t room\t is\t silent,\t while\t the\t two stare\t at\t one\t another.\t Jesse\t doesn\u2019t\t really\t move.\t He\t simply\t stares.\t My\t phone buzzes\t over\t and\t over\t and\t over\t and\t over.\t I\t stop\t paying\t attention\t to\t Jesse\t and Sheriff\tStevens\tand\tpull\tout\tmy\tphone.\tI\thave\tfour\ttexts\tfrom\tAnne.\tI\topen\tthem up. Adam\thad\ta\tredhead\tover\ttoday.\tNot\tsure\twho\tshe\tis,\tbut\tI\u2019ll\tfind out. Adam\tspent\t$10,000\tat\ta\tmattress\tand\tbedding\tstore. Apparently,\tshe\u2019s\ta\treporter. Adam\t has\t made\t twenty-two\t phone\t calls\t to\t twenty-two\t different phone\tnumbers\tin\tthe\tpast\ttwenty-four\thours.","I\tfinish\treading\tthrough\tAnne\u2019s\ttext\tmessages\tand\ttry\tto\trefocus\tmy\tattention back\ton\tSheriff\tStevens\tand\tJesse\tHook.\tThe\tmood\tseems\tto\thave\tshifted\tduring my\tinattentiveness\u2014shifted\tto\twhat,\tI\u2019m\tnot\texactly\tsure.\tBut\tit\thas. I\tknow\tI\ttold\tAnne\tto\tkeep\tan\teye\ton\tAdam.\tHowever,\tshe\u2019s\tgotten\tso\tclose it\u2019s\t making\t me\t uncomfortable.\t The\t number\t of\t calls.\t I\t said\t I\t wanted\t to\t know everything\u2014but\t how\t much\t is\t too\t much?\t And\t this\t redhead\t he\u2019s\t hired\t to\t help him\u2026\t ugh,\t Adam,\t once\t again,\t is\t hiding\t things\t from\t me.\t Would\t I\t expect anything\t less?\t No.\t Not\t even\t in\t the\t slightest.\t This\t is\t exactly\t why\t I\t have\t Anne making\tsure\the\u2019s\tbeing\twatched\tat\tall\ttimes.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tany\tother\tsurprises\tlike Jesse\there.\tI\tshift\tmy\tfocus\tto\tthe\tinterrogation\troom. \u201cAnd\tdid\tyou\tever\tsee\tOfficer\tScott\tSummers\tharm\tKelly\tSummers?\u201d \u201cLike\tverbally\tor\tphysically?\u201d \u201cBoth.\t Kelly\t has\t mentioned\t to\t several\t people\t that\t he\t had\t harmed\t her\t both physically\tand\tverbally.\tCan\tyou\tdeny\tor\tconfirm\tthat?\u201d\the\tasks. Jesse\t pauses,\t looking\t around\t and\t then\t back\t at\t Sheriff\t Stevens.\t \u201cHe\t was abusive,\tboth\tphysically\tand\tverbally.\tI\twitnessed\tboth.\u201d \u201cDid\tyou\tever\tsee\tKelly\twith\tAdam\tMorgan?\u201d \u201cYes,\tI\tdid,\u201d\tJesse\tsays. My\tphone\tbuzzes\tagain.\tI\tlook\tdown\tat\tit\tand\tsee\tanother\ttext\tmessage\tfrom Anne. Bob\tis\tasking\tfor\tyou.\tHe\tseems\tpissed\u2026\tas\tper\tusual. I\ttext\ther\tback\tquickly: I\u2019ll\tbe\tthere\tthis\tafternoon. The\tdoor\topens,\tstealing\tmy\tattention.\tI\tlook\tup\tfor\ta\tmoment\tand\treturn\tmy concentration\tback\tto\tthe\tinterrogation\troom\twhen\tI\trealize\tDeputy\tHudson\thas entered.\tI\treally\tcan\u2019t\tdeal\twith\thim\tright\tnow.\t\u201cTo\twhat\tdo\tI\towe\tthe\tpleasure, deputy?\u201d\tI\tdon\u2019t\tturn\tto\tlook\tat\thim. \u201cOh,\twe\tare\tstarting\twith\tpleasantries?\u201d \u201cFine.\tWhat\tthe\tfuck\tare\tyou\tdoing\there?\u201d He\tsmiles.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tbetter.\tOh,\tI\u2019m\tjust\there\tfor\ta\tlittle\tentertainment\tis\tall.\u201d \u201cEntertainment?\u201d \u201cYup.\tYou\tsee,\tfor\tall\tof\this\tshortcomings,\tSheriff\tStevens\tis\tactually\tquite excellent\t at\t this\t part\t of\t the\t job.\t I\t really\t do\t enjoy\t watching\t them\t squirm\t right before\tthey\tbreak.\tIt\u2019s\talmost\tan\tart.\u201d","\u201cI\tmight\tbuy\tthat.\tI\tmean,\tI\tenjoy\tthe\tsame\tthing\ttoo\tfrom\ttime\tto\ttime.\tBut not\t this\t time.\t No,\t I\t think\t you\t are\t here\t for\t another\t reason.\u201d\t I\t turn\t to\t look\t at Deputy\tHudson,\ttrying\tto\tget\ta\tread\ton\thim. \u201cYeah?\t Please\t enlighten\t me\t then,\t Miss\t Fancy\t Lawyer,\t with\t the\t thing\t that\t I apparently\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tmyself.\u201d \u201cYou\tare\there\tto\tcover\tyour\tass.\tMake\tsure\tthat\tif\tsomething\tyou\tdon\u2019t\twant being\tsaid\tis\tsaid\tin\tthere\tthat\tit\tisn\u2019t\ta\tsurprise\tto\tyou.\tSo\tyou\thave\ttime\tto\tplan a\t way\t out.\t Because\t I\t don\u2019t\t know\t what\t you\u2019re\t up\t to,\t but\t your\t boss\t is\t in\t there handling\tthis;\tand\tthe\twhole\tconversation\tis\tbeing\trecorded\tand\tcould\tbe\tviewed by\tyou\tlater\tat\tany\ttime.\tSo,\tI\u2019ll\task\tagain,\twhat\tthe\tfuck\tare\tyou\tdoing\there?\u201d Marcus\tstares\tat\tme,\ttonguing\tthe\twad\tof\ttobacco\tin\this\tgums.\tHis\teyes\tdart back\tand\tforth\tacross\tmy\tface.\tNow,\the\u2019s\ttrying\tto\tread\tme.\tTrying\tto\tfind\tany indication\tof\twhat\this\tnext\tmove\tshould\tbe.\t\u201cMaybe\tyou\u2019re\tright.\tI\tcan\tcatch\tthis anytime\t I\t please.\t And\t seeing\t as\t you\t have\t made\t it\t abundantly\t clear\t that\t you don\u2019t\tappreciate\tmy\tcompany,\tI\tguess\tI\u2019ll\tbe\ton\tmy\tway.\u201d\tHe\twalks\tto\tthe\tdoor and\t opens\t it.\t \u201cYou\t have\t a\t lovely\t day,\t Mrs.\t Morgan,\u201d\t he\t quips\t with\t a\t smile plastered\ton\this\tface. I\tflip\thim\tthe\tmiddle\tfinger\tas\ta\tparting\tgift.\tI\tdon\u2019t\thave\tany\tidea\twhat\the\tis up\tto,\tbut\tit\treeks\tof\tsuspicion.\tI\u2019ll\tadd\thim\tto\tmy\tlist\tof\tthings\tto\tcheck\tout\twith this\tcase. When\t I\t return\t my\t attention\t to\t the\t interrogation\t room,\t Sheriff\t Stevens\t is getting\t up\t to\t leave.\t Jesse\t appears\t relieved.\t A\t moment\t later,\t Sheriff\t Stevens enters\tthe\tviewing\troom. \u201cThat\twent\tbetter\tthan\tI\texpected,\u201d\the\tsays\tleaning\tagainst\tthe\twall. \u201cAre\tyou\tjust\tgoing\tto\tlet\thim\tgo?\tIs\tthat\tit?\u201d I\u2019m\t still\t torn\t between\t the\t text-conversation\t with\t Anne,\t the\t odd\t interaction with\tDeputy\tHudson,\tand\tthe\tinterrogation\tI\twitnessed\tbetween\tSheriff\tStevens and\tJesse. \u201cNo.\t We\u2019ll\t still\t test\t him.\t We\t have\t cause,\t and\t he\u2019s\t here\t and\t as\t long\t as\t he\u2019s cooperative,\twe\tcan.\tHe\tseems\tto\tbe,\tso\tyou\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto\tworry\tabout\tthat.\u201d I\t nod,\t not\t completely\t satisfied\t with\t that\t answer\t but\t at\t this\t point,\t I\u2019ll\t take what\tI\tcan\tget. \u201cWell,\twhat\tdo\tyou\tthink?\u201d\tI\tclose\tmy\tnotebook\tand\tlook\tat\tSheriff\tStevens giving\thim\tmy\tfull\tattention. \u201cI\t think\t that\t Jesse\t doesn\u2019t\t really\t know\t anything.\t I\t think\t he\t just\t had\t a\t bit\t of an\tintense\tcrush\ton\tKelly\tand\tthat\u2019s\tit.\tDid\the\tlike\ther?\tYes.\tWas\the\tclose\twith her?\tNo.\tBut\tdid\the\tthink\the\twas\tclose\tto\ther?\tYes.\u201d \u201cHe\twas\tobsessed?\u201d \u201cMost\tlikely,\u201d\the\tanswers.","\u201cDid\the\tsay\tanything\tof\tvalue?\u201d \u201cIt\t doesn\u2019t\t sound\t like\t it,\u201d\t he\t says.\t \u201cBut\t we\u2019re\t also\t testing\t his\t DNA,\t and\t if there\u2019s\t a\t match\t between\t him\t and\t that\t third\t set\t of\t DNA,\t that\u2019ll\t give\t us\t more insight\tand\tcause\tto\thold\thim\tfor\tmore\tquestioning.\u201d That\tanswer\tmakes\tme\tfeel\tlike\tI\tunderstand\tthings\tagain\teven\tif\tI\tdon\u2019t\tfeel like\tI\tdo.\tSomething\tstill\tdoesn\u2019t\tfeel\tright. \u201cDo\tyou\tneed\ta\tride\thome?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tI\tsay.\t\u201cHow\tlong\tuntil\tthe\tDNA\ttest\tcomes\tback?\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\texpedite\tit\tto\tthe\tlab\u2014twenty-four\thours.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019ll\tlet\tme\tknow\tright\taway?\u201d \u201cOf\tcourse.\u201d\tHe\tnods. I\t walk\t away\t trusting\t that\t he\t will.\t I\u2019m\t not\t sure\t why\t he\t decided\t to\t help\t me suddenly\t when\t it\t seemed\t like\t he\t had\t given\t up\t on\t the\t case.\t What\t changed? Maybe\t he\t believes\t Jesse\t had\t something\t to\t do\t with\t Kelly\u2019s\t death\t or\t maybe\t he thinks\tJesse\tjust\tmight\tknow\tsomething.\tIt\thas\tto\tbe\tJesse.\tHe\thas\tto\tbe\tthat\tthird DNA\t set.\t No\t other\t man\t was\t mentioned\t by\t any\t witnesses\t Sheriff\t Stevens\t or\t I interviewed.\tUnless,\tof\tcourse,\tKelly\tkept\tthat\tthird\tman\ta\tcomplete\tsecret\tfrom everyone.\tWhy\tthough?\tWhy\thim?\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\texactly\thide\tAdam.\tMany\tin\ttown knew\t about\t them.\t I\t hope\t the\t third\t set\t of\t DNA\t matches\t with\t Jesse.\t I\u2019m\t tired\t of this\twild\tgoose\tchase,\tand\tI\u2019m\tsick\tof\tnot\thaving\tall\tthe\tanswers.\tNow\tI\thave\tto put\tan\tend\tto\twhatever\tthe\tfuck\tAdam\tis\tup\tto.","38","ADAM\tMORGAN T he\t scotch\t has\t stolen\t some\t of\t my\t memories.\t I\t hope\t I\t didn\u2019t\t obtain\t some pertinent\tinformation\tfrom\tthe\tphone\tcalls\tI\tmade\tbecause\tif\tI\tdid,\tI\u2019m\tnot sure\t I\u2019d\t remember\t it.\t I\u2019ve\t decided\t to\t start\t on\t the\t last\t phone\t number\t I\t could recall\tmaking. A\tsandwich\tand\tchips\tdid\tme\tsome\tgood\tas\twell\tas\ta\tpower\tnap.\tI\u2019m\tstarting to\t feel\t like\t myself\t again\u2014and\t by\t that,\t I\t mean,\t hopeless\t and\t depressed\u2014but definitely\t sobering\t up.\t I\u2019m\t facing\t the\t death\t penalty.\t There\t isn\u2019t\t much\t else\t I could\tfeel.\tBut\tI\u2019m\tresisting\tthe\tscotch\tfor\tthe\ttime\tbeing. I\t pick\t up\t the\t phone\t and\t begin\t dialing.\t The\t phone\t rings\t and\t rings\t and\t rings and\tjust\tas\tthe\tvoicemail\tpicks\tup,\tmy\tfront\tdoor\tswings\topen\twith\ta\tbang. \u201cAdam!\u201d\tI\tdon\u2019t\teven\tneed\tto\tsee\ther\tto\tknow\tit\u2019s\ther.\tI\tcould\trecognize\tthat disappointed\tvoice\tanywhere\tat\tany\ttime. I\tquickly\thang\tthe\tphone\tup\tand\ttry\tto\tlook\tnonchalant\ton\tthe\tcouch.\tSarah enters\tthe\tliving\troom\twide-eyed\tand\tangry. Great.\tWhat\tdid\tI\tdo\tthis\ttime?\tIt\tcan\u2019t\thave\tbeen\tany\tworse\tthan\thaving\tan affair\tand\tbeing\ton\ttrial\tfor\tthe\tmurder\tof\tmy\tmistress.\t\u201cHey,\thoney,\u201d\tI\tsay\twith a\tbit\tof\tsarcasm. I\tcan\ttell\tby\tthe\tlook\tin\ther\teyes,\tshe\tsees\tme\tas\tno\tmore\tthan\ta\tproblem,\ta client\t that\t has\t to\t be\t dealt\t with.\t What\t happened\t to\t the\t Sarah\t I\t encountered\t on Friday\t night?\t The\t love\t that\t was\t once\t there\t seems\t to\t have\t vanished,\t and\t I\t can\u2019t blame\ther.\tLook\tat\tme,\ta\tscruffy,\tunkempt\tbeard\thas\ttaken\tresidence\ton\tmy\tface. I\u2019m\tsure\tmy\tbloodshot\teyes\thave\ttheir\tbags\tpacked.\tMy\thair\tis\ta\tmess,\tand\tI\u2019m still\tin\tPJs\tand\ta\trobe.\tPlus,\tlet\u2019s\tnot\tforget\tabout\tthe\tsituation\tI\u2019ve\tgotten\tus\tin. \u201cDon\u2019t\t\u2018hey,\thoney\u2019\tme,\u201d\tshe\tsays\tpointing\tat\tme.\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\twith\tthe\tredhead, the\t phone\t calls,\t and\t the\t ten\t thousand\t dollars\t you\t spent?\u201d\t Her\t eyes\t narrow. Maybe\tshe\tdoes\tcare\tabout\tme.\tShe\tasked\tabout\tthe\tredhead\tfirst.\tIs\tshe\tjealous?","I\thaven\u2019t\tseen\ther\tjealous\tin\tquite\tsome\ttime.\tShe\tjust\tmight\tlove\tme\tafter\tall. \u201cI\tcan\texplain\tall\tof\tthose\tthings,\u201d\tI\tsay\tputting\tmy\thands\tup. \u201cThen\texplain.\u201d\tShe\tsits\ton\tthe\tloveseat\tand\tcrosses\tone\tleg\tover\tthe\tother. \u201cOkay,\tthe\tredhead:\ther\tname\tis\tRebecca.\tShe\u2019s\ta\treporter\u2014\u201d \u201cA\t reporter?\t You\u2019re\t talking\t to\t a\t reporter?\t You\t do\t know\t you\u2019re\t on\t trial\t for murder\tand\tthe\tdeath\tpenalty\tis\ton\tthe\ttable?\u201d \u201cI\t understand\t that,\t Sarah\u2014more\t than\t anyone.\u201d\t I\t grit\t my\t teeth.\t This\t right here\t is\t my\t problem\t with\t Sarah,\t she\t treats\t me\t like\t I\u2019m\t an\t idiot.\t What\t does\t she expect\t me\t to\t say\t to\t that?\t Oh,\t damn.\t Thanks\t for\t reminding\t me.\t I\t completely forgot\tthat\tI\u2019m\ton\thouse\tarrest\tpending\tmy\ttrial. \u201cDo\tyou\tactually\tunderstand\tthat?\u201d\tIt\u2019s\tclearly\ta\trhetorical\tquestion. \u201cShe\u2019s\thelping\tme.\u201d \u201cShe\u2019s\ta\treporter.\tYou\u2019re\tjust\ta\tstory,\tand\tyou\tdon\u2019t\teven\tknow\tthis\twoman. I\thave\tjury\tselection\thappening\tright\tnow,\tand\tthe\tlast\tthing\tI\tneed\tis\tanything\tin the\t media\t swaying\t them.\t You\u2019re\t lucky\t the\t media\t dug\t up\t Kelly\u2019s\t past\t because that\u2019s\t been\t good\t for\t you\t in\t terms\t of\t public\t opinion.\t But\t one\t more\t story\t that paints\tyou\tin\tan\tunflattering\tlight\twill\tdestroy\tthat.\tDo\tyou\tunderstand?\u201d \u201cRebecca\t and\t I\t have\t an\t agreement.\t She\u2019s\t going\t to\t put\t my\t side\t of\t the\t story out,\t and\t I\u2019m\t paying\t her\t to\t help\t me\t with\t my\t investigation.\u201d\t I\t sit\t forward\t and place\tmy\telbows\ton\tmy\tknees. \u201cMy\t investigation?\t What\t the\t hell\t is\t that\t supposed\t to\t mean?\t There\t is\t one investigation\thappening,\tand\tthat\u2019s\tJesse\tHook.\tWhat\tis\tit\tthat\tyou\tthink\tyou\u2019re doing,\t Adam?\u201d\t She\t bounces\t her\t foot\t up\t and\t down\t and\t readjusts\t her\t skirt.\t Her face\tbecomes\tflushed,\tand\tshe\tlets\tout\tan\texasperated\tsigh.\tI\tknow\tmy\tmeddling is\t bothering\t her\t because\t she\t thinks\t she\t knows\t best,\t and\t I\t used\t to\t believe\t that, but\tnow\tI\u2019m\tnot\tsure. \u201cWho\u2019s\tJesse\tHook?\u201d \u201cExactly.\tYou\thave\tno\tidea\twhat\u2019s\thappening\twith\tyour\town\tcase.\tThat\u2019s\tthe problem,\u201d\tshe\tsays\twith\ta\tbit\tof\tbite\tin\ther\tvoice. \u201cI\u2019m\t cooped\t up\t in\t this\t house.\t I\t can\u2019t\t leave.\t Therefore,\t if\t you\t don\u2019t\t tell\t me anything,\t I\t don\u2019t\t know\t anything,\t and\t when\t I\t don\u2019t\t know\t anything,\t I\t look\t for everything,\u201d\tI\tnarrow\tmy\teyes\tat\ther. \u201cIs\tthat\ta\tthreat?\u201d \u201cWhy\twould\tyou\ttake\tthat\tas\ta\tthreat?\u201d\tI\u2019m\tbewildered\tby\ther\tquestion\tand her\tchange\tof\ttone.\tShe\tshifts\tuncomfortably\tin\ther\tseat\tand\tthen\tstraightens\tout her\tpristine\toutfit. \u201cNo.\tNever\tmind.\u201d\tShe\tgets\tup,\tpicks\tup\tthe\tbox\tshe\tbrought\tover\tthe\tother night\tand\ttosses\tit\ton\tthe\tcoffee\ttable.\t\u201cThis\tis\twhat\tyou\tshould\tbe\tfocusing\ton.\tI brought\tyou\teverything.\u201d","\u201cWho\u2019s\tJesse\tHook?\u201d She\tlets\tout\ta\thuff.\t\u201cJesse\tHook\tused\tto\tfrequent\tSeth\u2019s\tCoffee.\tA\tco-worker of\t Kelly\u2019s\t said\t he\t was\t obsessed\t with\t her\t and\t made\t Kelly\t uncomfortable,\t so we\u2019re\tlooking\tinto\thim.\u201d \u201cAnd?\u201d \u201cWe\u2019re\ttesting\this\tDNA.\tHe\tjust\tmight\tbe\ta\tmatch\tto\tthat\tthird\tset\tfound\tin Kelly.\t Sheriff\t Stevens\t questioned\t him\t about\t an\t hour\t ago.\t I\t was\t there\t but\t got\t a little\tdistracted.\tI\u2019ll\treview\tthe\ttape\tof\tthe\tinterview.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\t great\t to\t hear\t you\t were\t distracted\t while\t working\t on\t my\t case,\u201d\t I\t say sarcastically. \u201cYeah,\tit\u2019s\tyou\tthat\twas\tdistracting\tme.\tThe\tredhead.\tThe\tmoney.\tThe\tphone calls.\t Will\t you\t please\t finish\t explaining\t that\t to\t me?\u201d\t Her\t voice\t is\t laced\t with anger\tand\tannoyance. \u201cLike\t I\t said,\t Rebecca\t is\t helping\t me\t look\t into\t the\t family\t of\t Kelly\u2019s\t first husband.\tI\tthink\tthat\tpart\tof\ther\tlife\tis\tto\tblame\tfor\ther\tdeath.\u201d\tI\tget\tup\tand\tpour myself\ta\tglass\tof\tscotch. \u201cThat\u2019s\ta\tdead\tend,\u201d\tSarah\tsays\tpointedly. \u201cWhy?\tDid\tyou\teven\tlook\tinto\tthat?\u201d \u201cI\t believe\t the\t police\t did\t and\t that\t whole\t someone\t from\t her\t past\t came\t back and\tgot\ttheir\trevenge\tjust\tdoesn\u2019t\tseem\tplausible.\u201d \u201cYou\t \u2018believe\t the\t police\t did?\u2019\t I\t would\t hope\t my\t attorney\t is\t not\t defending this\tcase\tbased\ton\tbeliefs.\u201d\tI\tslam\tmy\tdrink\tand\tget\tmyself\tanother.\tI\tcan\u2019t\tdeal with\t her\t right\t now.\t She\t believes\u2026\t since\t when\t did\t beliefs\t win\t cases.\t I\t need facts.\tI\tneed\tevidence.\tWhat\tthe\thell\tis\tshe\tdoing? \u201cYou\tknow\twhat\tI\tmean,\tAdam.\u201d \u201cClearly,\tI\tdon\u2019t,\u201d\tI\tchallenge.\tIs\tshe\teven\tfighting\tfor\tme\tor\tdoes\tshe\tknow this\tis\ta\tlost\tcause?\tDid\tshe\tthrow\tin\tthe\ttowel\tthe\tsecond\tshe\ttook\tthis\tcase?\tIs there\tno\thope\tfor\tme?\tI\tsit\tback\tdown\ttaking\tlarge\tgulps\tof\tscotch.\tThe\tburning in\tmy\tthroat\tis\tthe\tonly\tthing\tthat\treminds\tme\tI\u2019m\tstill\talive.\tThe\trest\tof\tme\tfeels nothing. \u201cWeren\u2019t\t you\t the\t one\t convinced\t Scott\t had\t something\t to\t do\t with\t Kelly\u2019s death,\tand\tnow\tyou\u2019re\tconvinced\tthat\tsomeone\tfrom\ther\tpast\tdid?\tWhich\tis\tit?\u201d \u201cScott\t said\t he\t never\t hurt\t Kelly\t and\t I\t think\t I\t believe\t him.\t Based\t on\t that, maybe\the\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tanything\tto\tdo\twith\tit?\u201d \u201cJesse\t Hook\t confirmed\t he\t witnessed\t Scott\t physically\t and\t verbally\t abuse Kelly.\tWhy\twould\the\tlie?\u201d \u201cWait.\tHe\tdid?\tBut\tScott\tswore\tup\tand\tdown\the\tdidn\u2019t.\u201d\tWhy\tthe\thell\twould Scott\tlie\tto\tme?\tWhy\twould\the\tcare\twhat\tI\tthought?\tSomething\tisn\u2019t\tadding\tup. \u201cWho\tin\ttheir\tright\tmind\twould\tadmit\tto\tabusing\ttheir\tlate\twife?\u201d","She\u2019s\t right.\t I\u2019m\t such\t an\t idiot.\t He\t just\t seemed\t like\t he\t was\t telling\t the\t truth. He\tseemed\tlike\the\u2026\the\tjust\twanted\tto\thelp,\tand\tmaybe\the\tdoes.\tJust\tbecause\the was\t abusive\t doesn\u2019t\t mean\t he\t killed\t her.\t I\t don\u2019t\t know\t what\t I\u2019m\t saying.\t Of course,\the\tcould\thave.\tHe\thas\ta\ttemper.\tHe\u2019s\tan\tasshole.\tHe\tcould\tget\taway\twith it.\t He\u2019s\t a\t cop\t for\t Christ\u2019s\t sake.\t Maybe\t I\t shouldn\u2019t\t write\t him\t off\t based\t on\t one conversation.\tThis\twhole\tthing\tis\ta\tmess,\tand\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tif\tI\u2019m\tlooking\tat\tthe right\t person\t or\t even\t in\t the\t right\t direction.\t But\t I\t can\u2019t\t give\t up\t now.\t I\t have\t less than\t two\t weeks\t before\t my\t trial\t starts.\t There\t has\t to\t be\t someone\t out\t there\t who knows\tsomething. \u201cWhat\u2019s\t all\t this?\u201d\t Sarah\t motions\t to\t the\t papers\t beside\t me\t on\t the\t couch.\t I should\thave\tput\tthose\taway.\tShe\tdoesn\u2019t\tagree\twith\tme,\tand\tI\tthink\tKelly\u2019s\tpast needs\tto\tbe\tlooked\t into.\tThe\tpapers\tare\tall\tthe\tinformation\tRebecca\u2019s\tgiven\t to me\t concerning\t Kelly\u2019s\t old\t life\t as\t well\t as\t the\t phone\t numbers\t I\t need\t to\t finish calling.\t Sarah\t walks\t to\t the\t couch\t and\t starts\t rummaging\t through\t them.\t She\u2019s quickly\tscanning\teverything\tin\tsight.\tIf\tshe\tdoesn\u2019t\tbelieve\tthis\tis\tworth\tlooking into,\tthen\twhy\tis\tshe\tlooking? \u201cThat\u2019s\t for\t my\t investigation,\u201d\t I\t say\t trying\t to\t collect\t it\t all\t into\t one\t pile.\t I don\u2019t\tneed\ther\tgoing\tthrough\tthis.\tIf\tshe\u2019s\tnot\tgoing\tto\thelp\tme,\tthen\tshe\tdoesn\u2019t need\t to\t be\t here.\t I\t have\t work\t to\t do.\t She\u2019s\t looking\t at\t the\t list\t of\t phone\t numbers, perusing\t them\t one\t by\t one.\t What\t is\t she\t looking\t for?\t Or\t is\t she\t just\t trying\t to appease\tme?\tTrying\tto\tmake\tit\tlook\tlike\tshe\u2019s\ttaking\tthis\tseriously?\tWhat\tis\ther endgame?\t Her\t eyes\t linger\t a\t little\t longer\t than\t I\u2019d\t expect.\t Then,\t she\t finally\t sets the\tpaper\tdown. \u201cYeah,\tyou\u2019re\twasting\tyour\ttime.\u201d\tShe\tpauses.\t\u201cWhat\tdid\tyou\tspend\tthe\tten thousand\tdollars\ton?\u201d \u201cWhat\u2019s\t it\t to\t you?\t That\t was\t my\t money\u2014an\t advance\t on\t my\t book,\u201d\t I\t say defiantly. \u201cAll\tright\tthen.\tWe\u2019ll\tbe\tin\ttouch.\u201d\tShe\tgets\tup\tand\tstarts\twalking\ttoward\tthe front\t door.\t Why\t is\t she\t always\t in\t a\t hurry?\t I\t have\t no\t idea\t who\t she\t is\t anymore. How\t did\t she\t know\t about\t Rebecca\t and\t the\t phone\t calls\t and\t the\t money?\t She\u2019s watching\tme,\tor\tshe\thas\tsomeone\twatching\tme.\tBut\twhy?\tTo\thelp\tme?\tTo\thurt me?\tOr\tto\tkeep\tme\tcontained? Before\tshe\tleaves\tthe\tliving\troom,\tshe\tstops\tand\tturns\taround.\t\u201cBy\tthe\tway, if\t you\t end\t up\t in\t prison\t and\t you\t don\u2019t\t finish\t your\t book,\t I\u2019ll\t end\t up\t paying\t that advance\tback.\tSo,\tplease\tstop\tspending\tMY\tmoney,\tasshole.\u201d \u201cI\t thought\t it\t was\t our\t money,\t Sarah?\t We\u2019re\t married.\t Remember?\u201d\t I\t snark back,\tfolding\tmy\tarms\tin\tfront\tof\tmy\tchest. \u201cOh,\t was\t it\t our\t marriage\t when\t you\t were\t balls\t deep\t in\t some\t waitress?\u201d\t She narrows\ther\teyes\tat\tme.","I\tlook\taway\tfor\ta\tmoment.\tShe\u2019s\tgot\tme\tthere. \u201cExactly.\u201d\tShe\tstamps\ther\tfoot. \u201cRegardless,\t you\t won\u2019t\t have\t to\t worry\t about\t your\t money\t anymore.\t I\u2019m writing\ta\ttell-all,\tand\tthere\u2019s\talready\ta\tbidding\twar\tfor\tmy\tbook.\u201d\tI\tsmirk. Sarah\u2019s\t mouth\t drops\t open.\t \u201cYou\t have\t got\t to\t be\t fucking\t kidding\t me.\t I\u2019m working\t my\t ass\t off\t on\t your\t case,\t and\t you\u2019re\t turning\t this\t whole\t thing\t into\t a goddamn\tcircus,\tyou\tand\tyour\tdelusional\tmother.\u201d\tShe\tputs\ther\thands\tup.\t\u201cI\u2019m done.\u201d Sarah\tturns\ton\ther\tfoot\tand\tleaves\tthe\thouse,\tslamming\tthe\tdoor\tbehind\ther.","39","SARAH\tMORGAN I \u2019m\tdriving\tback\tto\tthe\tcity\tin\ta\trage,\tmy\teyes\tfocused\ton\tthe\tspread\tof\tmy headlights.\t I\u2019m\t furious.\t I\t need\t to\t keep\t Adam\t contained.\t He\u2019s\t undermining the\tcase,\tmy\tinvestigation,\tand\tmy\tcareer\twith\this\tantics.\tI\tcan\ttell\the\u2019s\tdrinking too\tmuch\tagain.\tThat\tbottle\tof\tscotch\twas\tnearly\tfull\twhen\tI\twas\there\ton\tFriday, and\tnow\tit\u2019s\tgone,\tand\the\u2019s\tworking\ton\tanother.\tWhat\tthe\thell\tdoes\the\tthink\the\u2019s doing?\t Talking\t to\t a\t reporter.\t Calling\t everyone\t that\t could\t have\t been\t related\t to Kelly\u2019s\tfirst\thusband.\tWriting\ta\ttell-all.\tI\tknow\the\u2019s\tdiscussing\this\tcase\twith\this agent,\tand\the\u2019s\tnot\tsupposed\tto\tbe\ttalking\tabout\tit.\tHe\u2019s\tjeopardizing\tthe\twhole damn\tthing. I\t slam\t my\t hand\t against\t the\t steering\t wheel\t in\t frustration.\t \u201cFuck!\t Fuck! Fuck!\u201d\tI\tslam\tit\tagain\tand\tonce\tmore\tfor\tgood\tmeasure. I\t dial\t Anne\t via\t the\t voice\t command\t in\t my\t vehicle.\t She\t picks\t up\t on\t the\t first ring\tlike\tshe\talways\tdoes.\t\u201cHey,\thow\u2019d\tit\tgo\twith\tAdam?\u201d \u201cNot\tgreat.\tHe\u2019s\tworking\twith\ta\treporter\ton\this\town\tinvestigation,\tand\the\u2019s writing\ta\ttell-all.\u201d\tI\thonk\tmy\thorn\tat\ta\tperson\tin\ta\tmini-van\tdriving\ttoo\tslow\tin front\tof\tme.\tI\tswerve\tout\tof\tthe\tway\tand\tflip\tthem\toff\tas\tI\tdrive\tby.\tIt\u2019s\ta\tlittle old\twoman\tand\ta\tman.\tWhat\tis\twrong\twith\tme?\tAdam\thas\tgot\tme\tso\tworked\tup. I\ttake\ta\tdeep\tbreath\ttrying\tto\tremind\tmyself\tthat\teverything\tis\tgoing\tto\tbe\tfine. \u201cWhy?\u201d \u201cApparently,\the\tdoesn\u2019t\ttrust\twhat\tI\u2019m\tdoing\tfor\tthe\tcase.\u201d \u201cBut\tyou\u2019re\tdoing\teverything\tyou\tpossibly\tcan.\tThis\tis\tan\tuphill\tcase.\u201d \u201cI\t even\t brought\t him\t over\t copies\t of\t all\t the\t evidence,\t so\t he\t could\t be involved,\u201d\tI\tgroan. \u201cYou\tdid?\u201d\tAnne\u2019s\tvoice\tis\tmeek. \u201cYeah.\tBut\the\u2019s\tnot\teven\tlooking\tat\tit.\tI\tcould\tuse\this\thelp\tthere,\tanother\tset of\t eyes\t on\t it.\t He\u2019s\t been\t drinking\t a\t lot\t too\t and\t that\t must\t be\t clouding\t his","judgment.\tI\tneed\tyou\tto\tget\tthe\tphone\tturned\toff\tat\tthe\tlake\thouse.\tI\tdon\u2019t\twant him\tdestroying\tthis\tcase\twith\this\tdrunk\tdialing.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\tget\tit\tdone.\tAnything\telse?\u201d \u201cYeah,\tset\tup\ta\tmeeting\twith\tBob\ttomorrow.\tI\thave\tto\tmake\tsure\teverything is\trunning\tsmoothly\tat\tthe\tfirm\tas\tI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tend\tup\tin\tKent\u2019s\toffice\tagain.\u201d \u201cYou\tgot\tit.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\thome.\tI\u2019ll\tbe\tback\tat\tthe\toffice\tin\tthe\tmorning.\u201d \u201cSounds\tgood.\tTake\tcare\tof\tyourself,\tSarah.\tI\u2019ll\tsee\tyou\tin\tthe\tmorning.\u201d My\tphone\tbuzzes.\tI\tquickly\tglance\tat\tit.\tIt\u2019s\tfrom\tMatthew. Dinner\ttonight?\tSay\t7:30pm\tat\tThe\tCapital\tGrille? A\t formally\t dressed\t waiter\t escorts\t me\t through\t the\t restaurant\t to\t a\t table\t where Matthew\t is\t sitting.\t There\u2019s\t a\t bottle\t of\t opened\t champagne\t already\t set\t out,\t and Matthew\tis\tdressed\tin\ta\tbeautifully\ttailored\tsuit.\tHe\tstands\twhen\tI\tapproach\tand hugs\tme,\tplanting\ta\tkiss\ton\teach\tcheek. \u201cSorry\tI\u2019m\tlate.\tHad\tto\tdeal\twith\tAdam\u2019s\tantics.\u201d\tI\ttake\ta\tseat. \u201cNo\tworries.\tWhat\u2019s\tAdam\tup\tto\tnow?\u201d\tHe\tpours\ta\tglass\tof\tchampagne\tand offers\tit\tto\tme. I\troll\tmy\teyes,\ttake\tthe\tglass\tand\tdrink\tthe\twhole\tthing. \u201cHe\u2019s\tdrunk.\tHe\u2019s\tcalling\tdozens\tof\trandom\tnumbers.\tHe\u2019s\twriting\ta\ttell-all, and\t he\u2019s\t working\t with\t a\t reporter\t on\t his\t own\t \u2018investigation.\u2019\u201d\t I\t throw\t up\t air quotes\taround\tinvestigation\tbecause\tthat\u2019s\thow\tridiculous\tit\tis\tto\tme. \u201cNot\t much\t has\t changed.\u201d\t Matthew\t laughs\t as\t he\t takes\t a\t sip\t of\t his champagne. I\trefill\tmy\tglass.\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\tthat\tsupposed\tto\tmean?\u201d \u201cAdam\u2019s\talways\thad\ta\tflair\tfor\tthe\tdramatics.\u201d \u201cI\tcan\u2019t\targue\twith\tthat.\u201d\tI\tflip\topen\tthe\tmenu\tand\tglance\taround\tat\tit,\teven though\t I\u2019ve\t eaten\t here\t dozens\t of\t times\t and\t I\t always\t order\t the\t same\t thing: porcini\trubbed\tbone-in\tribeye\twith\tfifteen-year\taged\tbalsamic. \u201cHow\u2019s\tEleanor?\u201d \u201cSame\t as\t usual\u2014bitchy,\t judgmental,\t rude,\t condescending\u2026\t Did\t I\t mention bitchy?\u201d\tI\tsmirk. \u201cOf\tcourse\tshe\tis,\u201d\tMatthew\tsays\tflicking\this\thand\tat\tme. \u201cShe\tbrought\tup\tmy\tparents!\u201d He\ttilts\this\tchin\tdown.\t\u201cShe\tdidn\u2019t.\tWhat\tdid\tshe\tsay?\u201d"]
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