In the distance, I hear the rumble of thunder. We’ll likely still be back here when the rain hits.
But I don’t mind.
The storm will pass.
I touch my necklace.
I’m not alone anymore.
48
Seth didn’t catch her.
But the police did, two hours later, in the denser part of the state park, along one of the hiking trails.
By that time, Gen, Seth, and I had been pulled into the police station, each in our own separate rooms, to give our statements. Detective Carter is with me. Only Detective Carter; no Ramsay in sight.
I tell him everything. When I’m finished, he sits back, dark hands folded, and looks at me.
“Addie.” His voice is quiet. “You should have come to me sooner.”
“I didn’t trust you.” I’ve already told him my theories about Ramsay. He didn’t say anything while I talked, just watched me with that same calm expression.
“You should know that Detective Ramsay has been, ah, excused from this case.” I open my mouth to ask questions, but he goes on. “I can’t discuss any details pertaining to his absence. I just wanted to let you know. It’s just me. Or if you’re not comfortable with me, I can send in someone else. Officer Cortez—”
“No. It’s fine.” I let out a breath. “Do you know how Jeremy is?”
“I’ve heard nothing since he was taken to County Medical.”
He’s in critical condition, according to the last update. But he’s not dead. Not yet.
“All I want now is to know where my brother is.”
“As I told you, we’ll let you know as soon as we find anything.”
With Kendall in custody, there’s no immediate danger to Davy. I have to keep telling myself that. Carter told me they believe Kendall was acting alone.
She hasn’t confessed to anything, as far as I know. I had a glimpse, through the window in the door, of Thatcher Montgomery Sr., white-faced, marching down the hallway, with two men who are presumably lawyers trailing behind him. I’m sure Kendall will have the top defense money can buy. But with my testimony and Seth’s, not to mention Gen’s, I hope it will be enough to put her away for a long, long time.
A knock comes on the door, and Officer Cortez pokes her head in. “Detective Carter? Miss Blackwood’s father is here.”
Carter thanks her, then turns to me, an eyebrow raised. “Just so you know, Addie—I never believed you committed these crimes.”
I stare. “Then why did you get a warrant? Take my stuff?”
“I was surprised when the judge approved the warrant only for you and not for the Montgomerys.” He frowns. “I’m looking into whether something else was going on there.”
Meaning—someone paid off that judge.
“But I did believe you might be hiding something. And as it turns out, I was correct about that.”
I shrug uncomfortably.
“But we were not on the verge of arresting you. Or Seth Montgomery. Now. Is there anything else you want to tell me? Or ask me?”
I shake my head.
“Well, then I think we’re done for now. I don’t have to tell you to stay close to home, that we’ll want to talk to you again…”
Detective Carter goes on, telling me things I already know. Afterward, he escorts me out to the lobby, where my father waits, his knee jiggling.
I tell him the whole story on the way home. He listens, not interrupting. And then I get to the part about Mom. Mrs. Montgomery paying her to go away.
He’s still, not saying anything.
Then I can’t help but ask, “You really didn’t know…anything?”
“No. I didn’t know anything.” He swallows. “Just that she wasn’t coming back.”
I reach out a tentative hand, touch his sleeve. “Davy will come back.”
But I don’t know whether that’s true.
—
We get home late in the afternoon. I walk in the house feeling as though I’ve aged a year in a day. I start toward my room.
“Addie.”
