The Bad Daughter(56)

“Since when is it a crime to carry money and a passport?” Robin said.

“What has he told you?” Melanie asked.

“He hasn’t told us anything,” the sheriff replied. “Your brother is being most uncooperative, I’m afraid.”

“Which is his right,” Blake reminded the sheriff.

“Yes, but if he’s innocent, why be difficult?”

“Maybe your so-called person of interest isn’t interested in doing your job for you,” Melanie said.

“Look—” the sheriff began.

Robin could hear the constriction in his voice when he said the word, as if he was struggling to keep his cool, as if the very act of keeping his voice down was an effort of almost superhuman proportions. You’re not alone, she wanted to tell him. Melanie has that effect on many people.

“I understand he’s your brother and your instinct is to protect him,” Prescott continued. “But he’s not doing himself any favors by refusing to talk to us. I was hoping you’d be able to convince him that it’s in his best interests—”

“A person of interest’s best interests,” Melanie interrupted. “Interesting.”

The sheriff looked toward Blake, as if to say, “We’re both men here. Help me out.”

“Have you advised him of his rights?” Blake asked.

Sheriff Prescott ran his hand over the top of his head. “We have.”

“And has he asked for an attorney?”

“He has not.”

“Well, it appears he’s got one, anyway,” Blake said, rising to his feet. “I’d like to see my client now, if you don’t mind.”

Sheriff Prescott pushed himself out of his chair, sighing in defeat. “You didn’t mention you were a lawyer.”

“I was hoping it wouldn’t be necessary.”

The sheriff turned toward the reception counter. “Mike, could you have Mr. Davis brought out, please?”

The deputy relayed the request into his phone.

“What happens now?” Robin asked.

“That’s up to you,” Prescott said. “And your brother.”

“But he’s free to go?”

“Provided he doesn’t leave town, yes.”

“So you’re not going to arrest him?”

“Not at this time. No.”

“They don’t have enough evidence to arrest him,” Melanie said, her tone stopping just short of a sneer. “All they have is his car on tape.”

“We have motive,” Sheriff Prescott reminded them. “As well as opportunity.”

“Pretty weak as far as motives go,” Robin said. “It’s been almost six years since he saw Tara or my father. The rest is strictly circumstantial.”

“Juries have convicted on less.”

“There are at least a dozen people in this city, myself included, with both motive and opportunity to shoot them,” Melanie said. “I’d say that’s more than enough to create reasonable doubt in a juror’s mind.”

“And I haven’t eliminated anyone as a suspect. Including you,” the sheriff said pointedly.

And then there Alec stood, appearing before them as if by magic, to the left of a uniformed deputy in front of the reception counter, trying to look defiant and unflappable, but instead looking shell-shocked and exhausted. His narrow face was in need of a shave, and his soft gray eyes were swollen and red-rimmed, as if he’d been crying. He was wearing faded, loose-fitting jeans and a wrinkled white T-shirt, the front of which was spattered with a sweeping arc of coin-size coffee stains.

“Alec!” Robin cried, rushing into his arms.

“Hey, you,” he replied, his fingernails digging into her sides as his chin sank heavily onto her shoulder.

“Are you okay?”

“I’ve been better.”

“Hi, there, little brother,” Melanie said, joining them, although she made no move to hug him even after Robin took a few steps back. “Long time no see.”

“Melanie,” he said, glancing at her only briefly before shifting his attention to Blake. “And Blake. Wow—the man himself. Didn’t expect to see you here in Red Bluff.”

“I could say the same about you,” Blake said, patting Alec’s arm.

“Let’s get out of here,” Melanie said.

Sheriff Prescott stopped them before they could take a step. “A word, if I may.”

“Sure thing, Sheriff,” Alec said, although the straight line of his lips made it clear he wasn’t about to say anything.

“You understand that you’re not to leave town…”

“Understood.”

“…and that should you try, you will immediately be placed under arrest.”

Alec began rubbing his jaw. “Also understood.”

“I’m hoping that after talking to your lawyer here, you’ll decide to be more cooperative.”

“My lawyer.” Alec’s lips curled into a half-smile.

“Are we done here?” Blake asked.

“For now.”

They walked toward the parking lot, Robin holding tight to her brother’s hand, Melanie and Blake flanking them on both sides, Sheriff Prescott following.