“Oh, man.What did that asshole do to you?”
“Which asshole do you mean?”
“Ridge.Or the new guy, anyone.Just tell me who I need to fight.”
“Uh, the police.”
“The police?Hell, they didn’t come after you for stealing Ridge’s car, did they?”
“No, it’s Justin.His PA is still missing, and they think he murdered her.”
There was the longest silence.Then, “Girl, run.”
“But I don’t think he did it.”
“You don’tthinkhe did it?”
“Okay, okay, I realise that sounds bad.But I’m ninety-five percent sure he’s innocent.”Yesterday, I’d been ninety-nine percent sure, but Special Agent Rimer had shaken me; I couldn’t deny that.“The police came up with this crazy scenario and basically accused me of lying for free board and lodging.”
“Go on, hit me with the crazy scenario.”
“So they believe Justin left the office with his PA just before half past six on Wednesday, but he forgot some files and went back inside.That part’s on the security video, so I know it’s true.But they say when he left again, he walked to his truck, which was parked in a different place from her car, and somehow,somehow, he managed to stop on the way home and kill her in a time window that was sixteen minutes max.And instead of leaving the body where it was, or you know, burying it in the woods or something, he hid it in his truck for two freaking days.”
“Huh.That does sound wild.”
“Exactly.So technically, I guess he could have done it, but…but… Saylor, he’s just really freaking nice.”
“They said that about Ted Bundy.”
“Oh, please.He isn’t Ted freaking Bundy.And last week, the police thought he dumped the body on his way home, but surprise, surprise, they haven’t found it, so now they’ve come up with a new story.”I sank onto the bed.“Their only evidence is a missing plant.”
“Come again?”
“On Friday morning, he said he was putting a plant on a friend’s grave; the police say he was disposing of Amie’s body.And just now, the detective told me that the plant isn’t on the grave; therefore, Justin must be guilty.She probably took it herself.”
“You think she’d do that?”
“I think she’s shifty and ungenuine.Is that even a word?”
“Probably?Weirdos steal stuff all the time.I used to live near this sweet old lady who volunteered at the hospital, and everyone loved her.She always used to bring candy for the nurses and flowers for the patients, but it turned out she was taking the candy from the Spend ’n’ Save and the flowers from the cemetery.They caught her when she forgot to remove one of the sympathy cards.”
“Ouch.”
“Worse than ouch.Whoever died must have had a sense of humour, because the card said ‘Life’s a dick—sometimes it just gets hard for no reason.’And the guy who ended up with the flowers was being treated for complications following penis enlargement surgery.My friend was a nurse on the surgical ward, and she said he started crying.”
“Justin didn’t mention a card, so that’s something at least.This is a nightmare.”
“Your car got fixed, right?Can you find a motel for a few nights?”
“I don’t know.I don’t know what to do.”
“Pack a bag.I can send you more money.”
“No, I mean I don’t know if I should leave.A part of me is terrified to stay here because I have no idea what’s going to happen, but the street outside is full of crazies live-streaming for likes, and what if Ridge finds me in a motel?I’d have to walk Shiro alone, and I’ll need to buy groceries, and how long will it even take for this to die down?”
“We’ll figure it out.”
“And if I leave, what if I throw away the best thing ever to happen to me?Yes, I’ve only just met Justin, but he’s so easy to get along with.He’s kind, he’s generous, and he treats me like an actual person rather than the household help.And…and…he knows what a G-spot is.”
