Once they were back in the lobby, Rory managed a deep breath. She could not wait to get out of this place. She was certain the police department overall was a good one, but her experience with Fowler and his handling of the investigation into her husband’s murder had not been good at all.
“That wasn’t so bad,” Chance said as they pushed through the exit.
Surprisingly, she had to agree. “Only because you were there.”
They were halfway across the parking lot when Rory spotted him.
Anthony Harris.Pete’s father was walking toward the double doors they had just exited.
She stalled. Chance stopped to see what she was staring at.
Anthony looked up. His gaze crashed into Rory’s.
She didn’t know what she expected. Maybe for him to run the other way. Or for him to rush up to her and start screaming—or maybe to start the rant before he even took a step. But hedid none of those things. Instead, he continued forward, pausing when he reached her because she had not moved a muscle. She stood motionless like a child in a game of freeze when the music stops. Unlike Eudora, Rory had actually liked Anthony. Even during the investigation and then the speedy trial, he’d remained stoic, not lashing out at her the way Eudora had.
“Rory,” he said, then shifted his attention to the man at her side.
“Chance Rader,” she explained, startled that her mouth worked. “From the Colby Agency. He’s a private investigator.”
Anthony made a sound of acknowledgment. Then he offered his hand. “I suppose you’re here to help her figure out where the police fell down on their job.”
Chance shook his hand. “I’m here to help her find the truth.”
Rory stuck on the comment about the police falling down on their job. He couldn’t possibly believe that. He’d been on Eudora’s side—firmly against Rory. She had suspected that the police did exactly what the Harrises wanted.
“Well, good luck with finding anything other than what was found before. Which, I’m sure you know, was nothing. No evidence whatsoever to support her story. Believe what you will, but the department did everything in their power to findallthe facts.” He looked at her then. “It’s been two years, Rory. Just let it go. Admit what you did and let Eudora and me have some peace.”
If he had slugged her, Rory wouldn’t have been more aggrieved. She certainly understood that during the trial he had believed she killed his son, but somehow she had hoped that in the nearly two years since, he would have come to see that it wasn’t possible.
Clearly, she had hoped for the impossible.
“I told the truth then,” she argued, “and I’m telling the truth now. I did not kill Pete. I couldn’t have.”
When she would have turned away, Anthony took her by the arm. Chance poised to intervene, but she put a hand against his chest to stop him. Let the man say whatever he had to say and get it over with.
“I know you believe that,” he urged. “I really do. You were always a good person, Rory, but you made a mistake. You went down a bad path. You can’t be sure what you did considering the drug you were on that night. For the life of me, I cannot understand why on earth you felt the need to get high on your wedding night. And why give it to Pete? He never did anything like that in his life. Did you slip it into the champagne?”
Rory barely restrained the tears his words elicited. She gently tugged her arm free of his hold. “I have never done drugs. Not then, not now. The intruders drugged us both. I’m sorry you believe the lies woven by the prosecution.”
She walked away, couldn’t bear anymore.
They got into Chance’s rental car, and she stared forward. She watched Anthony enter the police department. Had he known she was coming and showed up to have his say? If he’d wanted to know what she was up to, Fowler would have kept him informed. Pete’s parents got whatever they wanted in this town.
Always had and always would.
But they were not going to win this time. She had not killed Pete, and somehow she was going to prove it.
“You held your own with him,” Chance said as he backed out of the parking slot.
“I just told the truth.”
Her phone rang. The sound startled her. Shane’s name flashed across the screen. She held it up for Chance to see. “It’s Shane.”
While Chance listened, she answered the call, selecting the speaker option. “Shane?”
“Rory, we need to talk in private.”
She glanced at Chance and asked, “Where are you?”
