His Reverie (Reverie #1)(70)
Not that she was a big help but shit. I literally have no one once Reverie leaves, once Michael goes back to college.
Pushing my gloomy thoughts aside, I concentrate on driving and soon we’re turning into the Hale’s driveway. I slow as we cruise down the graveled driveway, unease slipping down my spine like ice cold fingers. Something’s not right. I can sense it. And when I see the police car sitting in the Hale’s circular driveway, I know it.
Reverie releases my hand to grip my thigh. “Why are the police here?” Her voice is sharp and high. She sounds scared.
“I don’t know,” I say grimly, pulling into the little graveled lot and parking the truck before I turn to look at her. “Do you think your parents are looking for you?”
She glances at her cell phone, her thumbs flying as she starts scrolling. “I have no messages or texts. They think I’m with Evan. Remember?”
“Maybe they don’t. Maybe they found out the truth, or maybe Evan ratted you out. They probably called the cops if they thought you were missing.”
“Evan wouldn’t tell on me. I know it,” she murmurs as she lifts her head and stares at the house. “I really hope they’re not freaking out.” She moves away from me and goes to open the passenger side door. “I need to find out what’s going on.”
She’s gone before I can say anything else. Before I can touch her, kiss her, let her know how I feel. I watch as she flies toward the house, her hair streaming out behind her as bright as the sun. My heart aches and I rub my chest, feeling like a lovesick idiot. This moment feels like it’s imprinting itself on me. As if I better remember just how Reverie looks because I won’t ever see her again.
Worry settles over me, familiar and draining all at once. I take my time locking my truck and walking toward the house. I don’t see Michael’s car but we’re early so he’s probably not here yet. I make my way up the driveway, squinting against the sun when I see the two police officers coming out of the house and headed straight toward me.
“You Nicholas Fairfield?” one of them asks.
I stand up straighter, ignoring the prickle of unease that settles between my shoulder blades. “Yes, sir.”
The other one approaches, his dark gaze intense as he locks eyes with me. “We need to take you down to the station, son.”
“Why?” I look around but don’t see Reverie. She must still be in the house. Does this have to do with her not coming home last night? Am I gonna get charged with kidnapping or something? That’s a federal offense. I could do serious time if the charges hold up.
Would her parents really do that to me?
“We want to ask you a few questions,” the other cop says, his voice a little softer, his demeanor much more relaxed. I get what they’re doing. I’ve been through this before. I know the local police are real big on the good cop versus bad cop tactic when they question people.
“About what?” I ask as the meaner one comes to grasp hold of my arm. I tear out of his hold and back away. “Am I being arrested?”
“No, no. Nothing like that.” The good cop smiles. “We just need to talk to you. Find out where you were last night.”
“I was at home.” The minute the words leave me I regret them. I need to keep my lips shut. I learned that long ago.
“Uh huh. Well, you can tell us all about it when we get to the station.” The mean one grabs my arm again and steers me towards the police car.
“What’s this all about?” I ask again, hating how my voice shakes the slightest bit. I can’t help it. Cops make me nervous. “And my truck’s here. Can’t I just follow you?”
“I’m sure the Hales won’t mind if you leave your truck here,” the nice cop says, all easygoing like nothing’s wrong. But he’s a liar. Something is definitely wrong.
“I didn’t take her from here,” I blurt out, unable to control my rising panic. My heart is beating so hard I feel like it’s going to explode out of my chest. “She showed up at my place last night. She wanted to be with me.”
“Who you talking about son?” The nice cop squints at me, his expression eager.
“Reverie Hale.” I’m pointing out the obvious. Who else would I be talking about?
“This has nothing to do with Reverie Hale.” The nice one frowns and glances at his partner, looking confused.
I’m confused too. “Then what is this about?” I ask. It dawns on me as soon as I ask the question and the mean-as-hell cop confirms my suspicions.
“It’s about Krista Benson’s murder. You know, your precious little girlfriend? She’s dead.” The bad cop spits the words out like bullets and each one is a direct hit to my chest.
I rub at my chest again. My lungs are tight. I feel like I can’t take a deep breath. They think I had something to do with her murder. Holy. Shit. “I didn’t see her last night,” I offer up weakly.
“You were supposed to meet her.” They both have a hold on me now, each of them gripping my arms and walking me over to the police car. One of them opens the back door and shoves me inside and I sit sideways on the narrow seat, thankful at least they didn’t put the cuffs on me.
“I didn’t. I swear. You can ask…” My voice drifts and I glance out the tinted window of the backseat of the car. I don’t see Reverie anywhere and relief floods me. She doesn’t need to get drawn into this mess. I need to talk to her but I don’t want to ruin her cover with her parents. If they knew she was with me last night there would be hell to pay.