Page 79 of He Sees You

"Suspicions without evidence aren't worth much, Detective."

"No, they're not. But patterns are interesting. You seem to be around a lot of death."

"I live in the woods. Death is natural there. Animals die, seasons die, everything dies eventually. It's only in civilization that people pretend otherwise."

The older detective closes his notebook. "We'll need you to come to the station for a formal statement."

"Am I under arrest?"

"Not at this time. But that could change."

Through the window, I can see Celeste with the paramedics. She's refusing transport to the hospital, insisting she's fine.

Sterling hovers nearby, torn between comforting his daughter and watching me.

The distance between them is telling—she doesn't want his comfort, not anymore.

She's beyond his reach now, in a place he can't follow.

"We need to search Deputy Bauer's residence," the younger detective says. "Sheriff, can you provide access?"

Sterling nods numbly.

He knows what they'll find—I've made sure of it.

Trophies from victims, photographs of Celeste, evidence linking Jake to every murder.

It's all there, waiting to be discovered, crafted perfectly to fit the narrative that Jake was the killer all along.

My phone buzzes.

Juliette calling. I decline it, but she immediately calls back.

"I need to take this," I tell the detective. "My sister."

He nods, and I step onto the porch.

"Cain, what the hell is happening? I just got a call that Celeste was attacked?"

"She's safe."

"Safe? Someone tried to—" She stops. "It's all over the news already. Deputy Jake Bauer. They're saying he might be the serial killer."

"That's what it looks like."

"Cain." Her voice drops. "Tell me you didn't?—"

"Didn't what? Save your friend from being raped?"

She’s quiet for a moment, then asks the question she really wants the answer to. "How bad was it? How bad is she?"

"She's strong. She'll survive."

"I'm driving up tonight."

"That's not necessary."

"My best friend and author was nearly killed and my brother was conveniently there to save her? I'm coming."