The Row(69)

Daddy groans, and then his shoulders droop slightly. “I cheated on your mama because people make mistakes and I’m no better than that. I was mad at her for something and it felt like the only way I could make her hurt, too. It was stupid. I was stupid. That affair ended long ago, though, and the only reason I even see Stacia anymore is because I trust her to help me with this case. She’s smart, and she feels like our affair somehow landed me here. Don’t ever speak to her about this because she’d be horrified, but yes, I cheated, and I regret it.”

I feel slightly lighter somehow to finally be hearing what sounds like the truth. I push for more information. “Were you with her the night Hillary was killed?”

“No, I wasn’t.” Daddy hangs his head down and I feel my hope deflate. “I wish I had been just so I could’ve prevented all of this, but I wasn’t. I told them the truth when I said I have no alibi.”

“None?” I ask, feeling desperate. “Not for any of the murders?”

Daddy lifts his face and meets my eyes, his expression full of remorse and regret. “If I had, why wouldn’t I have used it back when I was arrested? Believe me, honey, I wish I had someone who could vouch for me. I wish I hadn’t spent so much time in my office alone.” He reaches his hand out and takes mine. “I wish I’d spent more time at home with you, with your mom.”

The room fills with a quiet sadness in the wake of his statement. I look over at Jordan and am hurt to see him still staring at my father with such skepticism. An intense urge to fix something, to make it better for my father, overwhelms me.

“It’s going to be okay.” He looks up at me, his eyes filled with nothing but despair. “There are many things with this new case that indicate it isn’t just a copycat. The killer knows too much for it to be that simple.”

Jordan’s skeptical look gets darker, but I ignore it, pushing forward. “We have Mr. Masters trying to help in any way he can. He thinks he may be able to find something else that could help. He’s going to look—”

Jordan nudges me softly with his elbow in a symbol to stop, but I think that maybe Daddy could make our search go faster if he tells us where the secret panel is.

“He thinks you might have a panel or some kind of hiding place in your old office,” I whisper quickly, knowing it’s too late to go back now. “Do you think you might’ve put an old journal, or movie stub, or anything in there that could help?”

Daddy looks puzzled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. He must be confused. There isn’t a panel like that … and why is he even involving you kids anyway?”

My heart plummets. “There isn’t one?” Somehow, between Stacia not being an alibi and the fact that there is no panel, this single conversation has ripped big chunks of my remaining hope away. I can tell from the concerned look that Jordan gives me that he can see it in my face.

“No, there isn’t. I’m sorry.” Daddy releases a giant puff of air, and he gently squeezes my hand, which has gone limp in his. “But you two really just need to sit back and wait for this case to sort itself out. You already said the evidence points to it not being a copycat.”

My father glances pointedly at Jordan before finishing. “I’m sure that even Chief Vega will have to come to the same conclusion at some point.”

Jordan’s face reddens and he opens his mouth to respond, so I cut him off before he can.

“I hope he will soon, but I’m not giving up.” I release a tense sigh and look over at Jordan, who has resigned himself to fuming silently beside me. “We should probably go.”

Daddy looks reluctant to agree, but finally says, “That might be best.”

We climb to our feet and the guard opens the door to watch us. I hug Daddy again and he whispers in my ear. “I know I’m just an old guy in prison, but maybe choose who you spend time with a little more carefully.”

I whisper back, “He’s better for me than you think.”

This doesn’t appear to make my father feel any better. And when Jordan steps forward and extends his hand, Daddy looks at it for a second like it might bite him before finally shaking it.

“It was nice to meet you, sir,” Jordan says, obviously trying to be cordial. “I really do hope we find the truth.”

It would be hard not to notice the edge Jordan puts on his last word and it’s clear that Daddy didn’t miss it either when he grunts in response. Daddy walks to the guard with hands extended to receive his cuffs. “Drive safe, Riley, and be careful who you choose to listen to.”





31

MY NIGHTMARES HAVE GROWN DARKER to match my life. The storm outside howls again, even louder this time. It sounds like something hunting for vengeance. The power is out, and I know Mama was here only a couple of minutes ago. I walk through the dim hallways calling her name, but there is no answer.

In her room, her bed is made, but I see the lamp on her nightstand has been knocked over. I move to pick it up and jump when a roll of thunder crashes outside.

My heart pounds loud in my ears as I try to catch my breath. I tell myself that it’s just a storm, that I don’t have to be afraid, but the hairs that stand up all over me don’t seem to listen.

I lift the lamp up and as I place it back, another lightning bolt shreds the sky outside and I notice something strange. The side of the nightstand looks like it has a hidden drawer I’ve never seen before. It is barely cracked open, so I pull it out and see a shimmering light reflected back from inside.