Her Destiny (Reverie #2)(35)

Fucking cops would probably love to see Krista’s dad beat the shit out of me. They’d probably call it poetic justice because in their eyes, I’m guilty.

Jesus, what sort of corrupt town do I live in anyway?

“Let him go, Hal. Before the cops arrest your ass for assault.”

Hal lets me go at the same time I look to my right to find of all people David standing there, a grim expression on his face. I brush off the front of my sweatshirt, backing away from both of them.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I ask incredulously. My old friend looks the same but he doesn’t. There’s a weariness clinging to him, as if he’s given up on this town, on himself. There’s an edginess to him too, as he bounces on his feet, back and forth, almost like he’s looking for a fight.

Great.

“We come here a lot to talk to the detectives who are working on the investigation,” David explains. “See if they have any new leads into Krista’s murder.”

Well, no shit. Look at my former best friend, helping my ex’s dad find her murderer. Talk about twisted. “I didn’t realize you and Hal were so close.”

“We became close after what…happened,” David says like it’s no big deal.

Uh huh. This doesn’t sit right. Can’t explain why but what the hell is David really doing? Not that I can trust the f**ker or his motives and that’s probably my biggest problem. This all smells wrong to me. Looks wrong. Feels wrong.

And usually when I feel like this, I need to trust my instincts.

“He’s helped me a lot more than you ever did, you little shit,” Hal adds. Trying to get a rise out of me I’m sure but I refuse to take the bait.

Bad enough, how weird it is to have David here, perfectly calm and acting like it’s normal to hang out in a police station all the time. He did more jail time than I did so you’d think he wouldn’t want to step near this place once he got out.

“You all right, buddy?” David asks, a faint smile on his face. Like we’re back to being best friends again or something. “What are you doing here anyway?”

“Confessing his sins is what I told him. He needs to come clean,” Hal says. David sends him a look and Hal clamps his lips shut tight.

“He’s been…upset that there’s been no progress in the investigation,” David tells me, like Hal isn’t standing right next to us. “He’s been drinking heavily, especially lately.”

More like he’s been drinking heavily since we were little kids but I let it slide. “Not much evidence in the case, huh?”

“Not enough, and the police aren’t saying much either. Whoever did it knew what he was doing.” David leans in closer when he says that last bit, like he doesn’t want Krista’s dad to hear. Good call. “We’re starting to wonder if it was someone from out of town. A stranger passing through.”

“Maybe.” I scratch my chin, wishing I could get the hell out of here. Given the chance, I’ll leave the building and wait out in my truck for Reverie. Text her where I’m am so she doesn’t think I bailed.

I can’t stand it in here already. And it’s become a million times worse dealing with these two from my not so distant past.

“So why are you here?” David asks, his tone pleasant, as is his expression. He’s dressed in jeans and a button down plaid shirt, looking every inch a respectable teenage boy hanging out at the police station waiting for more information about a killer. His look, the way he’s acting, none of it rings true for me. It feels like an act and I wonder if I’m the only one not falling for it.

“My uh, friend is talking to the cops,” I offer, not wanting to explain myself any further.

David frowns. “What friend?”

“You don’t know her.”

“Is it that girl who’s family you were working for?” At my look of surprise David continues on. “Krista told me all about her.”

Shit. That means he must know about the trouble Krista tried to cause between us too. “What exactly did she tell you?”

“Nothing important.” He waves a hand, dismissing my question. “What’s done is done. Though I’m wondering what she could possibly say to the detectives that would matter to the investigation.”

“She’s giving a statement as to my whereabouts regarding the night Krista was murdered,” I explain further, fighting against the panic that’s rising within me. I don’t like this, making small talk with my backstabbing ex-best friend. I’m desperate to get out of here.

“Your whereabouts? What are you saying?” Hal asks, his voice getting louder, if that’s possible. “Is she claiming she was with you that night?”

“She was with me.” Anger fills me and I turn to walk away, tossing over my shoulder. “I don’t have to explain myself to you. I didn’t kill Krista. Take your rage out on someone else.”

I start to leave the building and David follows after me like a loyal dog, calling my name. I refuse to look at him, acknowledge him, but he grabs hold of my arm and stops me just in front of the station entrance.

“I’m sorry, man. You have to understand where he’s coming from. He’s upset they don’t have a firm suspect,” David says. “Well, except for you.”