“Isn’t there a hotel over on Parson? A big one? Like a Marriott or something?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
“Go get me a room, bring me the keys. I want to be out of Paul’s house tonight.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.” Torie had never been more sure. She’d realized sometime in the night that she had always been attracted to Paul, ever since they met under such terrible circumstances at the frat house. She suppressed a shudder. Thinking about that so much lately brought back all the fear, the feeling of being so out of control, without choices. It had been terrible. Every time she thought about it, the “what ifs?” of the whole scenario overwhelmed her with fear.
Fear that she’d transferred to Paul.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, thinking about all I have to do,” Torie lied.
“Uh huh.”
“Really. It’s kinda frightening, you know? I’m crazy, too, to think about a house like that. Have you seen my house?”
Pam gave her a sympathetic look. “Yeah. I drove by right after it happened. It was a huge shock.”
“Yeah.” She might have said more, but her phone rang. “Excuse me.”
“Ms. Hagen?”
“Yes?”
“Barbara at Pawlings Insurance?”
“Yes?”
“We’ve been notified by the police that your house has been released, and you can start work on it. If you’d like to pick up your preliminary check for expenses, I’ll have it ready for you by the end of the day.”
“Oh, thank you for letting me know. I’ll be by. I’m going to look at a car later today. Has there been any change on that situation?”
“Oh, yes, I’m sorry. I can get a check for you on your car by tomorrow.”
The memory of her car, a burned hulk, being towed away, made her shudder.
“Thank you for all your help.”
Pam pulled up in front of Pratt and waited as she finished the call. “Insurance?”
“Yeah. Let’s skip the rental. How do you feel about car shopping?”
“Love it.”
“Good. Then once I’m done at Pratt, let’s go visit the dogs, pick up some pizza, and go car shopping.”
“Sounds like a plan. We’ll talk about the house, too.”
Paul and Melvin Pratt Sr. had finished up their morning meeting with more coffee. Paul was wired by the strong brew. Now, back in Pratt’s office for the meeting with Torie and the detective, he poured more into his company mug.
“It seems as if the incidents are tied together. The fact that we all knew one another in college and grad school may tie in as well.”
“Perhaps we should bring Melvin Jr. in to these discussions. He might be able to add something. He has quite a good memory for those kinds of details.”
Paul managed to keep his voice level as he answered. “He might be very helpful. Why don’t we meet with the detective and Ms. Hagen, then invite Melvin to join us.”
Pratt watched him for an uncomfortable moment, but nodded. “Good. Let’s see if either the detective or Ms. Hagen is here.”
He buzzed his assistant, and was informed that the detective was waiting and Ms. Hagen was on her way up.
“Send in the detective, won’t you?”
Tibbet came in, glancing around at the plush office. His face betrayed nothing of what he thought about all of the awards and photos of Mr. Pratt with various dignitaries.
“Detective, I’m Melvin Pratt Sr. I’m pleased to meet you. Thank you for agreeing to come to our offices rather than meeting at the station.”
“Better coffee, sir,” the detective quipped. “And better atmosphere.”
Pratt laughed. “Indeed. So, please sit. We’ve been covering the details of the incidents Ms. Hagen wrote down and Mister Jameson remembers, and recorded from their friend, Mister Peterson.”
“Your client.”
“Yes. I’ve also discussed bringing my son, Melvin Jr., into this discussion as well, once we’ve had a few minutes to reconnoiter.”
“Ah, you want him to come in…” Tibbet trailed off.
“Mister Pratt Jr. was at college and grad school with all three of us,” Paul said. “He was also a fraternity brother to Todd and me. His memory of events might be helpful.” Paul was striving for neutrality. Tibbet glanced his
