Page 67 of Make No Mistake

“I spent the afternoon at the beach, surfing.”

“Were you alone?” I wasn’t sure what that had to do with anything, but I shook my head and answered.

“I was with a friend.”

“Who was this friend?”

“Austin.” I felt Jay’s hands still for just a moment before he resumed.

“Last name?”

“I don’t …”

“Waverly,” Aubrey answered for me. I felt Jay turn his head toward her before looking back at the detectives. He didn’t like not knowing who were talking about.

“And this Mr. Waverly. Is he …”

“We’re friends.”

Maynard nodded. “Can you tell me where he lives?”

I looked to Aubrey, and she answered for me. “He works with my brother. I’ll ask him.” She pulled out her phone and sent the message.

“When did you return home, Mckayla?”

“I don’t know for sure. It was already dark, though.”

“I called Detective Larson within ten minutes of it happening,” Jay answered.

The detectives nodded and wrote it down.

“What happened when you got here?”

I cleared my throat. “I put my board back in storage, and went back to my car to get my towel and to lock it.”

Larson nodded, encouraging me to continue.

“I’d only taken a few steps when I heard something behind me. I looked but nothing was there, so I kept walking until I heard it again. This time, I turned around and saw a bat coming toward me.”

“Can you describe the bat?”

“Umm, light brown wood?”

Maynard nodded.

“I ducked and fell. I started crawling away, and he was walking toward me.” I took a breath, hating the feelings that were coming back. I could feel panic setting in.

Jay grabbed my shoulder and tightened his grip around my waist. “You’re okay.”

I nodded and took another breath. “I jumped up and ran away. I only made it a few yards when Jay grabbed me. I told him the attacker was there, so he ran after him.”

Maynard looked like he was considering what I said, so Larson took over.

“Can you describe the suspect?”

I nodded. “He was at least six feet tall, medium build, and had a plain back hoodie on with the hood covering his face.”

I was so proud of myself for remembering, but saying it out loud for the detectives made me realize how little I actually had.