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“Is that normal?” Merc frowns.
“No. But the sheriff insists that he has the lead on this case, and his men back him up. I’ve made
some phone calls higher up the chain and I hope he gets stopped. I’m afraid...”
“What?” Matt’s gaze is sharp. “What happened?”
Elba sighs. “He got Ross to confess to the crime.”
“What?” I’m on my feet, fists clenched at my sides, my heart pounding hard. “This is crazy. He didn’t do it. You have to help him!”
“I’ll talk to some people higher up,” Elba says. “I don’t think these charges can stick.”
“But it’s possible?” Merc asks quietly.
Elba shrugs. “If he gets a signed testimony from Ross, then it’s probably over. And while he won’t let us see Ross, we can’t warn him not to do it.”
“There must be something we can do,” Octavia says, gaze flicking between Matt and Elba. “This can’t be legal. We’re his family. Surely we can meet with him. He’s not been indicted, not yet.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Elba says. “I’ll let you know the moment I have word. He should also be able to call you. Has he?”
“He called,” Merc says, shoulders slumping. “He wanted me to take care of a family matter, but refused to talk about himself. It’s like Luna said. Like he’s giving up.”
Elba’s gaze is sharp on me. “Did he say that? Merc, did he say anything like that to you?”
“No.” Merc’s blue eyes are troubled. “But that’s how he sounded.”
“I think he was pressured to confess. I’ll ask to cross examine the witnesses, see if there are inconsistencies, check the camera feed. We’re not giving up on him.”
Who knew stupid Ed and his friends would manage to lay such a perfect trap, and that this Summer that promised so much happiness would end so quickly?
***
Leaving the Watsons, who say they’ll stay the night at a friend’s house, I trudge home and hurry up to my room, closing the door and throwing myself on my bed.
I take out my phone and call Ross again.
No reply.
I find myself wishing I had a photo of him. How can you miss someone so much you feel a limb has been hacked off? Phantom touches on my arms, on my lips, phantom pain in my heart.
God, I hope he’s okay. That he’s holding on.
I have a bunch of missed calls on my phone from Dena, and the diner. I should call back, apologize for not showing up, make up some excuse of stomach flu.
Letting my head fall back on the mattress, I sigh. There’s a knock on my door, but I ignore it. Don’t want to talk to anybody. I don’t know what to do. How to help Ross. I don’t know the law, I’m not a cop or a lawyer. Elba is on it, Matt and the others seem to trust him, so I guess I’ll have to trust him, too, to get Ross out.
He never told me he lost his pendant.
But he’s told me so much more. Our last meetings were kind of intense. He’s always told me the truth. When would Ed have the chance to grab it?
During every single one of those fistfights they had, that’s when. Was that what they were all about? Were they trying to grab something from Ross in order to incriminate him? Isn’t that too far-fetched?
If only he had an alibi...
But he doesn’t.
“Luna.” The knock on my door comes again, and this time the door opens. To my surprise, it’s not Dad there.
