“Theoretically, yes, but…”
“But?” he asked.
“But the person who went there last is the most likely suspect, right?” She drummed her fingers on the cold metal table as she tried to work through casting reasonable doubt on Sierra.
“Possibly not. It would depend on the time that they were there. Lydia could have already been dead. She fell onto someone’s balcony. They reported it when they arrived home, she could have been dead for quite some time.”
Her mind poured over the video footage she’d seen earlier, trying desperately to recall the times. “What time did she die?”
Mitchell shrugged. “We’re waiting on the ME’s report.”
Julia let her head fall between her shoulders.
“Julia, I’m being very serious when I say this could lead to a murder charge. For a crime you have already told me you didn’t commit. I would be remiss as your legal counsel if I did not recommend that you stop protecting the guilty party and start telling the truth.”
“Noted,” she answered. “Can you see if the ME’s report is ready yet? And can I make a phone call?”
“You haven’t been charged yet, and you’re here under your own volition. You can make a call. I’ll go make sure Grant is out of custody and check on the report. Donottalk toanyonefrom the police without me present.”
“I understand,” she said with a nod.
She slouched further in the chair as she tugged her phone from her pocket and pressed the call button next to Alex’s name. She leapt from her seat and paced the length of the room, a storm of emotions raging within her.
Fear for Sierra’s feature and her determination to protect Grant clashed with her desire to remain free. The weight of her decisions pressed down on her.
“Sunshine? Please don’t tell me I’m your one call, and you need to make bail.”
“No, I haven’t been charged yet, but…I need the times that…” Her eyes darted around the room as she pondered whether or not they could see and hear her. “I’ll text you.”
She ended the call before he could answer and typed a text instead.I need the times from that thing we saw earlier. Specifically for the last three events.
She had no idea if they could search her text messages if she was charged, but she wasn’t taking any chances.
Alex responded a moment later, listing them.Event one: 6:57. Event two: 7:23. Event three: 7:48.
She breathed out a sigh as she let her head fall into her palm. They were all too close together for the ME’s time of death to help her sort it out.
A second message followed that one.Please tell me you’re not in trouble.
She pressed her lips together as she considered how to answer. She hadn’t been charged yet, but she also wasn’t off the hook.Not yet. Is there any way to change what we saw and make it look different?
He answered her in seconds.It’s possible, but it’s not going to be easy. And it’ll take a while.
She typed back.Do it.
The door popped open, and she shoved her phone back into her pocket, her heart pounding after the conversation.
Mitchell entered, followed by Grant.
She sat straighter in her seat.
“You have five minutes, then they want to question her again,” Mitchell said before he closed the door, leaving them alone.
She leapt from her seat and threw her arms around his neck. He pulled her into a hug before he leaned back. “Julia, what are you doing?”
She stared up at him, her eyebrows furrowing as she prepared her answer. How could she tell him she suspected Sierra had killed Lydia?
CHAPTER 15
