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Webb scratched at his beard. He believed that part of her story. Her emotion was genuine. But something else she said had caught his attention.
“Let’s back up a second. You said Bria came down an hour after Jace did.”
Avianna looked at him and blinked rapidly. “No, I didn’t.”
“Yes, you did. Was Jace upstairs at some point?”
“No. I don’t know. I must have said that by mistake.”
“Avianna—”
“I swear, I didn’t mean to say that.”
“Did you see Jace coming downstairs from the second floor,yesorno?”
“No.”
“And if you were called upon to testify to that fact in court, would—”
“Detective, let’s not start with that,” Mr. Strozier chimed in. “Ms. Jones is here of her own volition in an attempt to assist you in your investigation. She answered your question. There’s no need to try and intimidate her.”
Ackerman and Webb exchanged a look, and Webb wondered whose idea it was to have a lawyer accompany every kid to their interview. Smart son of a bitch, whoever it was.
“Do you own a dog, Ms. Jones?”
“No.”
“Do you lift weights?”
“Yes, I’m an athlete.”
“What sport?”
“Cheerleading.”
“That’s considered a sport now?”
The girl glared at him. “It’salwaysbeen a sport.”
“Sorry. I wasn’t making fun.”
“Are we finished?” she asked, clearly over it all.
“We are. But we’ll probably see you again soon."
“SoIjustgotoff the phone with Mr. Christian Lockett,” Ackerman said.
Webb, who was chin deep in some ribs and baked beans, grunted and continued to smack loudly.
“You’re gonna want to hear this.”
He dropped his rib into the Styrofoam box and grabbed a napkin. “I’m listening.”
“I asked him where he was the night of the party, and he said he was at school. And I believe him on this, because he gave me the numbers for his roommate, his RA, his professor, and the damn dean of students.”
“That’s it?”
Ackerman smiled. “Get this: he said he didn’t know Nyleah. He knew who she was, obviously, but they weren’t friends. He never even had a conversation with her, much less had sex with her.”
