I Shouldn’t Love Him (Book 2) – Chapter 72
Manning
I sat in an interrogation room at the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station in shorts and a t-shirt. I rarely wore shorts, so they were the only clean thing I had left here. My jeans from last night were in a soggy ball at the bottom of my bag like buried evidence. I looked like an adult who had borrowed clothes from a camper.
With my hands on my knees, I absently fiddled with the bracelet that Lake had made for me. I wasn’t used to having things on my hands or wrists. She played with hers when she was uncomfortable, but I had no reason to be nervous. From what Gary had told me, what the cops wanted had nothing to do with me. It comforted me, but it wasn’t like I was entirely innocent. And it made me sweat. I got carried away with Lake in the truck. I always tasted watermelon on my lips. Feeling the humidity of the truck cabin. Heard the drumbeat of music. What if they smelled this fear on me?
entered the
the burly man in uniform. “I’m Officer Vermont, and this is my colleague, Detective Krout.” I shook
will get there,” he
f course.”
bracelet looked like nothing more than a hair on my wrist, but I hadn’t forgotten it was there. It was a special circum
e I smoke?
a coffee urn.
not a TV show, s
e just doing their job.
got sticky from cravings, so I went to get some water.
any guesses?” » Krout asked.
as the fir
About?”
old him.”
or, their presence upsetting the kids.
ort of robbery last night?”
A house in the city, kind and honest
e just have a few routine questions for you, but it is our duty
ith my sleeve.
e.
and occupation.”
nty three years. Camp counselor, construction worker, and whate
e are
.”
e.
di
. Pasaden
have any family in California?”
ther is still in Pasad
out your father?
my hair growing hot.
s transferred to Pelican Bay, but that was a long time ago.
oked up.
Peniten
Why?”
aving a father in prison p
“die.”
ge. “Tell us about your evening.
ast, what they would know.
d. I went into town, got some and went back to the campsite.
eave?”
before ten.”
the alcohol?” Krut asked.
that’s no
second, then remembered the officer from last night. Of course, they knew I wasn’t coming back right away. I had been with one of them.
a little longer.
fell asleep at one in the morning, you still hadn’t returned. We figure, being generous, it’s half an hour into town and half an hour back. If yo
ce of metal had its problems. You can go take a look. Better yet, ask your officer.”
fell.
idn’t already know. Otherwise, how did they id
wasn’t driving drunk, then took me away.” Krout sat back
is seat with
my shoulders.
Maybe because there was nothing to say. I wasn’t doing anything wron
nd ended up coughing.
r?”
out exchanged a
duty last night?”
ure to talk to Officer Anderson.” What was the truck you were driving?
belongs to—Vern. Do you know him? He works at the camp.
nored me.
or?”
“White.
om there you drove away and the truck broke down?”
es
ere wa
“About a km f
poke for a few moments. Krout looked at his watch and got me a refill, which I immediately swallowed. “The fact is,
rred. Not too far from Phil’s bar. But I don’t see any reason why you should have been near that residence. This n I’m not on my way back to camp.
ve never been to the area, so I was curious.
. It was the truth, though.
Vermont.
ot.”
.
ferent neighbors
ten miles an hour. With the headlights off. To me that looks like someone filming the neighborhood.
lamp above our heads grew brighter. I wanted my heart rate to slow down; I needed my intelligence. Sitting a little straighter, I said:
night. The peace. Stars.”
n the middle of the woods?” Krout asked, his voic
you see the stars up there where it’s dark? Should we go there? look for in town? I mas
ids everywhere- high, I needed some time to myself. I work in construction. I’
icers let me wander, probably h
else?”
”
. If anyone had seen her.
like I could put any stolen items in it. What did the thief take?
ooked at K
oman who caught him described him as ta
asn’t really a cri
course it was ,” Krout said. “Someone came into a family’s home and confronted the woman. Her children were there. What we need to understan
one Was he injured?
“
he ran away. She’s fine. He knew enough to pick a lock. No
No .”
but it didn’t seem like I was getting a refill
e an aspirin or something?”
rough his notes. “The niece from Vermont was at Phil’s, that bar you visited last night. She identified a tall, dark-haired man and your vehicle, so we know that you were there.
girl in your car?
e her. People would talk. Its bright future could be tarnished. His father, he was f*****g going to murder me, and who knew what kind of emotional punishment he put Lake through.
to that. I guess he’ll remember you. .
Krout straightened his
for now. We’ll have to k
oo. But I was too apprehensive to feel relieved; it didn’t seem like they believed me. “We’re going home
’
to do with. “I didn’t do that,” I said. “I swear.” “If that’s true, then
st night. Is there anyone else we should talk to? Someone who saw you coming or leaving? Perhaps vouch for your whereabouts? »
what they accused. But there was no way in hell, no way, I would drag him into this. I couldn’t put him through that, and I was pretty sure it would do more harm than good anyway.
was raw. “I think I would like to speak to a lawyer.”