“Do they always look like that?”
“Like what?”
“So ... pale. She was almost waxy, like a human doll or something.”
Harper thought back to the scene. Now that Amber mentioned it, Leslie had been a bit waxy. In Harper’s mind that meant the body had been there at least a few hours. They didn’t have an official time of death yet from the medical examiner’s office, which was a hindrance, but Harper was guessing Leslie had been dead the bulk of the day.
“Death is always difficult,” Harper offered. “It’s not something you can just get over. What happened to that woman was tragic. I’m sure the police will track down whoever is responsible, though, and make sure they pay.”
“Responsible?” Amber’s eyebrows drew together. “What do you mean? Harris said it was an accident.”
Harper faltered. “Oh, well ... .”
“Are you saying it wasn’t an accident?” Amber’s voice ratcheted up a notch and she grew shrill. “Are you saying there’s a murderer out there? I can’t believe it!” She hopped onto shaky feet and gripped her beer can tighter. “I can’t believe he lied to us.”
Harper felt caught. “When did he tell you it was an accident?” She wanted to believe the best about the event coordinator, but she wasn’t certain she could. “My understanding is that he didn’t find out the truth until a few hours ago.”
“He told us right before the bonfire.” Amber’s eyes lit with disgust. “He lied right to our faces.”
Harper’s heart sank. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why he would do that.”
“I do. It’s because he doesn’t want us talking. I told him I heard people arguing in the woods not long before I found the body. I asked him if I should say something to the police, like maybe it was a clue or something. He said the death was ruled an accident so there was no reason to say anything.”
Harper cocked her head, intrigued. “You heard people arguing in the woods? When?”
“I don’t know.” Amber’s eyes flashed with annoyance. “It was about an hour before the body was found. I had to cut through the woods because nobody was supposed to see me. I was heading toward the secondary site, the one where the fake body was found, when I accidentally found the real one.”
“And you heard people fighting in the woods?”
“I just told you I did.”
Harper held up her hands in a placating manner. “I’m sorry. I’m simply trying to get a clear picture of the timeline.”
“What clear picture?” Amber made a disgusted face as she pushed herself away from the table. “The only thing that’s clear is that Harris lied to us. I knew he was a big jerk but this is just … too much.”
Harper couldn’t disagree with that. Still, she had one more question. “The people you heard arguing, do you know what they said?”
“No. I couldn’t make it out.”
“Was it two men? Two women maybe?”
“It was a man and a woman. What does that have to do with anything?”
“Perhaps nothing. I was simply curious. Do you think you could recognize the voices if you heard them again?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t given it much thought. I’ve had other things on my mind.”
“Fair enough.” Harper nodded in understanding. She’d gotten as much out of Amber as she was going to at the present moment. She needed to let her wander off, pass out. Perhaps she would remember more in the morning. “You should switch from beer to water. You’re going to hate yourself in the morning if you don’t stop now.”
“Thanks for the tip, Mom.” As if to prove she was of an age where she could do whatever she wanted, Amber dug in the cooler and came out with another beer. “I think I’ll do what I want, though.”
Harper nodded on a sigh. “I was just trying to look out for you. Have a good rest of your night.”
“I intend to.”
15
Fifteen
Jared was in the middle of roasting marshmallows when Harper joined him, letting loose a small sigh of disgust as she took her spot at his side.
“Nothing?” he asked, cocking his head. She looked tired, he realized. Since she was generally a ball of energy, it was difficult for him to see.
“No, she gave me something,” Harper replied.
Jared waited. When she didn’t immediately volunteer more information, he lightly bumped his shoulder against hers. “Do you want to share with the class?”
“What? Oh, sorry.” She sent him a rueful smile. “I was just thinking about what she said to me.”
“So, it’s not a secret?”
“No. She’s upset.”
“I would say so. Yesterday was probably the first time she’s ever seen a dead body.”
“I wouldn’t argue with that. She as much as said the same thing to me. She’s drunk, though, which means she’s meandering.”
“Do you blame her for getting drunk?”
“No. I don’t blame her for anything. The alcohol simply makes it more difficult to get anything out of her.”
“Fair enough.” He pulled the marshmallows he was roasting from the fire and held them up for Harper to blow on.
She smirked when she saw what he was doing and leaned in, offering him a wink before extinguishing the marshmallow. “Is that one mine?”
“I thought we might share.”
“No way.” She fervently shook her head. “I want one all to myself.”
“Oh, really?” Jared found he enjoyed the game. “Where did the love go?”
“Right here.” She leaned in and gave him a small kiss. “I still want my own s’more.”
“That’s fine. I already ate one.”
Her mouth dropped open in mock shock. “You ate s’mores without me? How dare you.”
He chuckled and grabbed two graham crackers from his stack. “I apologize, Ms. Harlow. It will never happen again. I understand, of course, if you feel you have to punish me.”
“Oh, I’m going to punish you.”
