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The four of us share a look, but it’s Cam who shrugs. “Sure. I don’t know what else we can tell you but ask away.”
“Great.” He pulls out a notepad. “So, you said you guys were at the docks that night. Around what time would you say you got there?”
Hayes hums. “Like six or six-thirty. Somewhere in there.”
“Okay. And what was the plan for the night? Were you all just going to be drinking or did you intend to take the boat out?”
Mali goes to answer, all of them trying to make it so I don’t have to say anything. They saw what a wreck I was after we were interrogated. But before a single word can come out of her mouth, Monty’s mom comes over.
“Detective, I appreciate you doing your job,” she says, “but it’s not necessary. There’s no way these girls were involved in my son’s death. Please leave them be so they can grieve their friend.”
He gives her a curt nod and turns to us. “I apologize. I’m deeply sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you,” Mali and I say in unison.
Hayes puts a hand on my lower back. “You want me to give you a minute?”
I love how he always knows exactly what I need. “Please.”
He gives me a small smile and kisses the top of my head. “Cam and I will meet you guys at the truck.”
With that, the two of them leave and I finally get to hug Monty’s mom. Her and his dad were far too occupied when we got here, and I didn’t want to be a bother. But my heart breaks for the woman standing in front of me.
“Mrs. Rollins,” I say sadly, wrapping my arms around her. “I’m so sorry.”
She takes a deep breath, and I can feel every ounce of the pain she’s experiencing. “Oh, Laiken. Thank you so much for coming.”
“Of course. We wouldn’t miss it.”
As she releases me, she hugs Mali just as tightly. “Monty used to talk about you two so much. He would always say what great friends you were. I know he’d appreciate you being here. I just can’t believe he’s gone.”
Tears are already building in my eyes as Mali rubs her arm. “None of us can. I don’t think it’s really set in for any of us.”
She focuses all her attention on Mali. “I’m so sorry that your last interaction wasn’t a good one. I hope you’re not blaming yourself for any of this. That’s not what I want for you, sweetheart.”
Mali’s head drops. “I’m working on it.”
Mrs. Rollins nods in understanding. “Well, I’ll let you girls go, but please don’t be strangers. I’d love to have you over for lunch soon. Share some stories of Monty. But I understand if you’re not comfortable with that.”
I know I shouldn’t. Hayes will have a conniption when he finds out. But Mali isn’t the only one blaming herself, and if there is anything I can do to help ease some of her pain, I’m going to do it.
“That would be nice,” Mali tells her. “I’ll check my schedule and let you know.”
She looks pleased with that answer and turns to me. “Should I expect you too, dear?”
I force a smile on my face. “How does Wednesday early afternoon sound?”
Mali’s eyes widen as her head whips toward me, but she quickly masks her surprise as Mrs. Rollins beams.
“That would be fantastic. I’ll have the chef prepare lunch for one o’clock.”
“Perfect,” I confirm.
We both give her another hug while we say goodbye, and the second she walks away, Mali looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“Uh, what do you think Hayes is going to have to say about that? Can you even handle that right now?”
I roll my eyes. “I have to, okay? I just do. And I don’t know what Hayes is going to say, but that’s for me to worry about.”
