Page 106 of What They'll Say About Us

"He's good. And don't give me that look. He lives here. I live in New York."

"You haven't left yet."

"He wants to be there on the lakefront path tonight while we film to ensure we're okay."

"I wouldn't mind that. I haven't been super excited to go back there, as you know."

"But it's the backdrop we need to bring the story to a close."

"It is. I got bits and pieces from your side of the conversation, but it doesn't sound like Sloane is going to jail."

"I don't think so, but he still needs to get her statement. I'm sorry, Morgan. I should have put the call on speaker. I was half asleep when I answered it."

"It's fine. I'm sure Colton will do everything he can to put Garrett and his employee behind bars for as long as possible."

"He won't stop until that happens," I assured her.

Morgan nodded. "So, Paige's death was an accident. We did all this only to reach the same conclusion as Detective Cabot."

"It's not the same. He didn't try to find out what happened; he just made a lucky guess. But he still cut the investigation short to protect his friend. He didn't deserve to lose his life, but he wasn't innocent either."

"You're right."

"And irony or not, I'm happy that Paige's story will finally be heard."

"Do you think she'd be happy?" Morgan challenged. "To tell Paige's truth, you're going to have to show the dark side of her life. Are you willing to do that to someone who can't defend herself?"

I thought about that. "I haven't decided exactly what I want to say, but I definitely want to show how quickly someone's life can unravel when fear takes over and bad decisions follow."

"That's a good line."

"I'll work on the rest of it. I'm not going to go out of my way to shade Paige in one direction or another; I'm going to lay out her story and let it speak for itself. But now, I need to get dressed and talk to a few people before we wrap this up."

"A few people or Liam?" she challenged.

"Liam," I admitted. "I want one last honest conversation. And then I need to give my aunt her car and say goodbye. When I get back, we can write the script for the podcast. Sorry to leave you on your own again."

"It's fine. You need to tie up the loose ends, so when we leave, you won't still be looking back."

"I never looked back before. Maybe I should have."

Morgan smiled. "Or maybe moving forward was the best decision you ever made."

Liam's club was closed when I arrived a little before eleven on Sunday morning, so I went around the side and rang the bell on the side door. A moment later, he buzzed me up. He was waiting in the doorway, barefoot, wearing shorts and a T-shirt, his hair tangled and wavy, his eyes a little sleepy.

"Tessa," he said, running a hand through his hair. "What are you doing here? Has something happened?"

"A lot actually. Can I talk to you for a few minutes?" It suddenly occurred to me that he looked like he'd just gotten out of bed after a late Saturday night. Maybe he wasn't alone. But I'd come this far, I had to keep going.

"Haven't we said all there is to say?" he asked with a sigh.

"Maybe you have, but I haven't. Can I come in?"

"Why not?" He stepped back and waved me inside, and I was happy to see there was no sign of another woman. Not that he didn't have every right to have someone over; it just made it slightly less awkward.

"What do you want to say, Tessa?"

"Paige's death was an accident."