Page 44 of Kiss of Deceit

I nearly jumped at Natalie’s voice, and I straightened in my chair, grabbing the paper I printed a few minutes ago before standing up. Her usual hard stare was now blank as she took the paper for me. She was as exhausted as the rest of us.

We hadn’t left the station since right after the woman was found at the statue, and that was hours ago.

“Yes,” I answered. “Her internship file, along with where she lives, and her roommate.”

“Jillian Powers,” she muttered, staring at the paperwork. “Did you know her?”

I shook my head. “I remember seeing her on the bus when we arrived, but I never talked to her.”

“I want you to talk to your intern friends,” she instructed. “Find out who she hung out with. If she was sleeping with anyone. I want to know everything. Don’t bring them to the station, just chat and see what they say.”

“Sure,” I answered quietly. “I’m not sure how much information I’ll get. I don’t know many of the interns.”

“Do what you can.” She checked her watch. “Go get some sleep. Be back here at eight-thirty. We’re starting the questioning at nine, and I want you here.”

“Of course.”

After grabbing my purse, I trudged through the office and pushed open the door that led to the front of the police station. Tristin was resting his head on his crossed arms, looking ready to fall asleep until he saw me. Lifting his head, he stared at me when I gave him a tired smile as I headed for the exit. My ears perked up when I heard him get up. His footsteps grew closer, and I glanced over my shoulder.

“I’ll walk you home,” he mumbled.

“Thanks, but I’m fine.”

Stepping outside, I still felt his presence, and I rolled my eyes, irritation sliding through me. Maybe he had good intentions, but ever since Lucas had died, I’d caught him glaring at me more than a couple times. I was sure Lucas had told him about our interaction before I pushed him off the cliff.

I zipped up my jacket, muttering a curse from how cold it was. The sun was already rising. I should be tired after staying up all night, but I was wide awake.

So much for only focusing on my internship this year. I couldn’t idly sit by when someone in this place was murdering people.

“I told you that I’m fine,” I said, raising my voice a notch. “Go home, Tristin.”

He finally fell into step with me. “After last night, I don’t think you should be walking alone.”

I looked at him out of the corner of my eye. “Because I’m a woman?”

“Well…yeah.”

“It’s a five-minute walk, and it’s broad daylight. Nothing to worry about.”

He threw his hood up, making it so I couldn’t see his face. “Fuck, it’s cold out.”

“Then go home.”

“I wanted to ask you something.”

My heart skipped. “What?”

“The day Lucas died.” He paused, sliding his hands in his pockets. “He was going to talk to you.”

Shit.I kept my expression neutral, resisting the urge to walk faster. If he had anything on me, then he would have already told Harry.

“Was he?” I asked.

“We saw you that morning, standing outside the café,” he hissed under his breath, looking straight ahead instead of at me. “He went to talk to you, and I went home. Then I never heard from him again.”

“I’m sorry about your friend,” I said softly. “But I don’t know what happened. He tried speaking to me that morning, and I walked away. After what happened at the café, I didn’t want to talk to him again.”

“You didn’t come into work that day,” he accused.