“That recording is out of context.”
Officer Reed’s expression did not change.
“What context would change the statement we just heard?”
“We were joking.”
Brooke turned toward him.
“You weren’t joking.”
His head snapped in her direction.
“Brooke.”
“No.” Her voice shook.
“You told me it was fine.”
“Stop talking.”
Officer Reed immediately looked at him.
“Do not instruct her what to say.”
Vivian stepped between them, hands fluttering at her pearls.
“This is getting ridiculous.
Brooke is pregnant.
She’s been through a traumatic accident.
My son is upset.
Madison is angry because of the affair.
Surely you can see what this is.”
For the first time, Officer Reed looked at me with something close to sympathy.
Then he looked back at Vivian.
“What exactly do you believe this is?”
“A vindictive wife trying to punish a pregnant woman.”
I almost admired the speed with which she rewrote the room.
Almost.
Officer Reed returned my phone.
“Mrs.
Bennett, did you give anyone permission to use the Mercedes today?”
“No.”
“Did you know Ms.
Lawson would be driving it?”
“No.”
“Were you driving the Mercedes at any point today?”
“No.
I was at work all morning and afternoon.”
“I can confirm that,” I added.
“My building uses badge access.
I entered at 8:07 a.m.
I have meetings logged at ten, eleven-thirty, one, and two.
There are cameras at the entrance and in the parking garage.
My Honda never left until I drove here.”
Preston stared at me.
That was the expression I had been waiting for.
Not fear.
Recognition.
He was finally remembering what I did for a living.
I was an accountant.
Records were not a hobby to me.
They were how I understood the world.
Officer Reed asked me to forward the dashboard-camera file to the department.
I did, along with the automated metadata showing when it had been recorded and uploaded.
While I worked, another officer approached Brooke.
“Ms.
Lawson, we need to speak with you separately.”
Vivian objected immediately.
