Calling Dane, Ryan brought him up to speed and set up a time to meet Charles in the interrogation room. At the very least, they wanted to confirm Ross’s story and ensure that Charles was either the last person with her or was the last known person with her before she had disappeared.
“The Chief isn’t going to be happy about this,” Dane said, his voice soft.
Ryan just looked at him. “He’s a person of interest in my case, too,” she pointed out.
Dane snorted. “As if that’s going to stop him.”
It was true, and Ryan wouldn’t lie and say she was somewhat worried. But there was something that needed to be done about these cases. If something happened to another resident - and especially to Liv - she was going to be furious.
Especially if it was Liv.
They entered the room, taking seats on the investigators’ side of the table. Charles sat there, his head droopy. His hair was starting to form a rat’s nest, and he hadn’t shaved, so a five o’clock shadow coated his lower face.
“We’re here to talk to you,” Ryan said, taking the lead. Dane nodded.
“I have nothing to say,” Charles said dully. “I didn’t kill her. That shit was planted. I was framed.”
Ryan nodded. “This isn’t about Cairo.”
That caught his attention. Charles’ eyes swiveled around to meet Ryan’s. “What?”
“Have you ever met this girl?” Ryan slid the photo of Ashley across the table.
He stared at it with his dull eyes, but she was certain she saw a glimmer of recognition there. “Should I?”
“A witness placed you and this young woman leaving the Sports bar the night before you were arrested,” Ryan said. Then she took a gamble. “And we also have your fingerprints in her car.”
That alarmed him, she could see it in the rigid way his shoulders were set back. Maybe he did have an accomplice. Maybe he had killed her and dumped her and her body had been moved. There were too many possible solutions, but the most promising one was a partner.
“Excuse me, why are you talking to my client?” A tall, graying man swept into the room, all officious-looking. Ryan didn’t even have to check to see if he was a lawyer. They could tell, just from his posture.
“We’re talking to him about the disappearance of Ashley Palmer,” Ryan said smoothly.
“I have a documented alibi for my client regarding the murder of Cairo Levitt.” The lawyer placed something down on the table. Something that rocked their world. “I also have both the woman in the photo and the gas station owner willing to testify as to the photo being the original and not manipulated.”
It was a dated and time stamped photo of Charles hugging someone at a gas station. It was dated the night of Cairo’s death, the same time stamp. There was no way he could have killed her.
“The woman in the photo is Charles’ sister,” the attorney continued. “They met for a rendezvous the night Cairo was murdered.”
The wind was only partially knocked out of Ryan’s sails, since she hadn’t been certain he was guilty in the first place. But Dane looked shocked.
“I believe my client deserves to be released,” the lawyer said smoothly. “If you would like to question him on other charges, contact me and we’ll set up a time to meet. As a group.”
Charles was quiet, but there was the faintest hint of a smile on his face. Was he a cheating, murdering scumbag? Or just a scumbag? Ryan didn’t know.
What she did know was that their case was in serious trouble. And the Chief wasn’t going to be happy.
19
Thursday 20th October; 9am
It was hard not to think about the moment that had changed her life forever. The moment that had led to her being stuck in a dank basement, her ankle chained to the wall. At least he had removed the handcuffs. It was the small mercies.
She looked over at the dull, prison-cafeteria tray he had thrown down there that morning. That was all she got to eat, once a day. Bread and little else. It kept her from starving.
Why had she gone to that damn party? Why had she agreed to see him, fallen in love with him? He was the worst man possible for her, but she’d gotten seduced by whispers and false promises.
She swallowed despite her parched mouth, wishing she had some more water, but that was as scarce as the food, unless it rained. Then some of the rain water started filtering in, but it wasn’t water anyone wanted to drink.
“Are you ready yet?” The thick, harsh voice sent shivers crawling down her spine. It was her captor. The one who had taken her, had held her. Now her friend was gone, and it was just her.
“No,” she said, her voice softer than she wanted it to be. “No,” she said louder.
There was a derisive sigh from his perch. “You’ll give in eventually,” he said. “You all do.” Then she could hear the sound of him leaving, returning to wherever he came from.
She was going to die. She knew it. She had seen how Ashley had died, how horrible it was. But she wanted to die on her own terms. She didn’t want to die begging for her life.
She closed her eyes. Maybe someone would save her.
Please. Save me.
20
Friday 21st October; 7:30pm
Liv knocked on the door in front of her, then twisted her hands. She wasn’t even certain that Ryan was home, but since her car was there it was likely.
The door opened, revealing a confused-looking Ryan. “Liv?”
“I saw the news.” Liv hesitated, wanting to head inside but choosing to wait for an invitation. Were they there yet? She didn’t know. “You were on it.”
“What?” Ryan raised her eyebrows, then a realization flashed over her face. “I’m lead on the missing persons case.” She exhaled slowly. Then she paused, looking at Liv with a concerned expression. “How’s your Gram?”
Liv smiled
