Page 109 of In Cold Blood

“No. I’m good.”

“You don’t mind if I do?”

“Go ahead.”

She popped a cork from a bottle and filled a glass halfway with red wine.

“How goes the investigation?” she asked with her back turned.

Noah figured with the small talk out of the way, he would go straight for it. He tossed the folder down on the island. “You lied to me. Why?”

Alicia turned; her brow furrowed. She glanced at the folder and scooped it up while taking a large gulp. She nodded but said nothing, then dropped it back on the counter before filling the glass with more wine.

“You trashed the truck to get me to leave, didn’t you?”

“No. No. I didn’t,” she replied calmly.

“Don’t bullshit me. That’s your truck.”

“You’re right. And yes. I wanted you to leave because I care about you. Okay? I don’t want to see you hurt. But that. That’s not me driving it.”

She set her glass down and leaned back against the counter.

“The night your truck was trashed, I told you I wasn’t in the area and I wasn’t driving the truck.”

“So who was?”

She stared back at him. Giving him a moment to think.

“Alicia?”

“Dax. Dax borrowed it.”

“What?”

“From time to time I would let him use it. To take a girl out. To run some errands. His ride wasn’t working. I felt sorry for him. I had my motorbike. When I’m not working, the truck is just sitting there. He asked to use it.”

Noah shook his head and leaned against the counter. “Why is it that I have to dig so deep to get the truth? Does anyone not lie around here?”

“I never lied to you, Noah.”

“But you never told me he was using it that night.”

“Why would I? And seriously, would you have thought Dax would have done that?”

There was a long pause.

“I suppose not.”

“And do you think I would be stupid enough to take my work vehicle which could get spotted by a camera? I wouldn’t risk my career. I worked damn hard to get here. Hell, I’m in the same business as you. Give me some credit.”

“I’m sorry. I had to ask.”

“No, you implied.” She took a big swig.

“Yeah, well, I’m not exactly getting straight answers from people.”

“I told you that you wouldn’t.” She poured some more wine, looking exasperated. “So, what now? They’re going to arrest me or…?”