God, has it only been three days?
“Did you kill any of Arthur Maxwell’s victims?”
I meet River’s eyes. “No.”
Oz gives a subtle nod.
“Did you assist in the torture of Maxwell’s victims?”
“Yes.”
Another nod.
Eli slams his fist against the wall, and I jump at the sound. He storms from the room but not before I catch a glimpse of the torment swirling in his eyes.
Silence settles in his wake.
“Is he okay?” I ask.
River’s gaze is cold. “I’m asking the questions.”
I push down my concern for Eli and clench my fist. “Get on with it then.”
His eyes tighten, his lips a flat line. “You’re going to get yourself into trouble, Freya.”
I wave my hand at the wires hooked up to my body. “Aren’t I already?”
River lifts his chin. “You tell me.”
I let out a dry chuckle. “Ask your questions.”
“When was the last time you saw your father?”
“Six years ago, before the car crash I used to fake my death.”
River looks to Oz who scans the readings before confirming I’m telling the truth.
For once, River’s composure slips and he sighs, relaxing back in his chair.
“Happy now?” I ask.
“Then why did Colin Bennet say he’d seen you with your father two years ago?”
I slow my breathing and picture an image of water lapping at the beach. “I don’t know,” I say. I have to stop myself from watching Oz. I’m not technically lying. I don’t know why Bennet said what he did, not for sure.
Oz nods and my eyes close in relief before I can stop them. When I open them back up River’s sharp gaze is narrowed on me.Shit.
“Let’s try that again.” He asks the question two more times, but the meditation techniques Carmen taught me pay off and each time shows the same result. But River is nothing if not determined.
He keeps pressing with the questions, going over everything I’ve told them in the last few days with a fine-tooth comb.
My eyes are blurring at the edges by the time Jude bursts through the door.
“That’s enough, River,” he snaps.
“She’s still hiding something,” River argues.
Jude sighs and rubs the back of his neck. “I know.” He turns his attention to me and my heart squeezes painfully. It shouldn’t hurt that he doesn’t believe me. He’s right not to. I can’t be upset when I’m the one keeping things from them.
