Page 2 of What They'll Say About Us

"I didn't say," the woman replied. "And you didn't answer my question, Tessa."

I licked my lips, feeling like I was losing control of the audience, who were whispering to each other, sensing the drama of the moment. Finally, I said, "The death of Paige MacIntyre was ruled an accident. It's not an unsolved case. There's nothing to investigate." I looked to Laurel, who quickly stepped back up to the podium, reading my plea with a professional smile.

"That's all the time we have for questions," Laurel said. "The next sessions begin in ten minutes. Please enjoy your day."

The lights came on, and the crowd began to disperse, but the woman at the microphone was walking straight toward us.

"What is she talking about?" Cassidy asked.

"Do we need to call security?" Morgan followed up.

"No, it's fine." I grabbed my bag and then headed toward the stairs leading off the platform.

"That was wonderful," Laurel said. "Nice job."

"Thanks," I replied shortly.

As Cassidy and Morgan stopped to speak to Laurel, I made my way down the steps where the woman was now waiting. She appeared to be in her mid-twenties, wearing a crop top over high-waisted, wide-legged cream-colored linen pants. She had light-brown hair and brown eyes and as I drew closer, I realized who she was, and that didn't make me feel any better.

"You're Alina, aren't you? Paige's sister?"

"So, you did recognize me."

"Not until now. I think you were about fifteen when I last saw you."

"Sixteen, actually. I'm twenty-five now."

I barely heard her response. Her face, her eyes, made me feel like I was looking at a ghost. She wasn't an exact replica of her sister, but she was close, and Paige and I'd had a complicated relationship. I had no idea what Alina knew about that. Clearly, she had an opinion. She was also angry, and I tensed, quite sure I was not going to like what was coming.

"My sister's death was not an accident," Alina said hotly. "You know that, Tessa."

"I know that was the result of the investigation."

Alina shook her head in frustration. "You call yourself an investigator, a champion of people and families who need justice, but you're unwilling to help me, to help Paige, someone who was once your friend."

I searched for the right thing to say. I'd had doubts about Paige's death, but to think or suggest it was anything but an accident wasn't a road I wanted to go down. My past was where it should be—behind me, and I didn't need to go back there.

"You said you wanted a relatable case," Alina said, pushing against my silence. "What's more relatable than a young woman on the verge of graduating from college, losing her life with no explanation, no real answers? And you're already here. You don't have to travel. The personal connection will make your listeners even more interested. Plus, you'll have the added advantage of knowing many of the suspects."

My stomach churned at the gleam of hatred in Alina's eyes. "I had nothing to do with Paige's death."

"I didn't say you were one of the suspects, but interesting you went there yourself."

I immediately regretted my words.

Alina took a card out of her pocket and forced it into my hand. "You have to do this, Tessa. You owe Paige that much. Call me when you're ready to talk. Make it soon." She drew a breath. "It's been nine years, and my mother still can't stop asking why."

"No reason will bring Paige back," I said desperately.

"You can't bring her back, but you can get her justice. You can make the police and the public pay attention to her story. That's what you do, and according to your speech, you're very good at it. I'll be expecting your call."

As Alina walked away, Cassidy and Morgan moved in.

"We need to talk," Morgan said quietly. "The next speaker is setting up. Let's go to our suite."

I followed them out of the room and to the elevators, so distracted by my thoughts that I barely heard the people calling out hello or offering congratulations on our number one status.

Cassidy and Morgan kept me between them as if they were my bodyguards, and I appreciated the support. I felt completely off-balance. I'd gone from feeling confident and successful to uncertain and even a little afraid.