Page 36 of Little Dark Deeds

“What?”

“I said—Go.Right.Ahead.”

“Fine ...I—”

“Maybe between all of us we can get to the truth.There’s something I haven’t told you.Tiffany’s father had dinner with her before she died, and he met Tyler.I didn’t mention it before because I wanted to give you a chance to be honest with me.”

“I ...well, I ...”

“I’m not finished yet.You can lie to me and get away with it, but if you lie to the police, you’re breaking the law.Here’s another fact.Tyler’s wife knows about the affair.She confronted Tiffany at work, and they discussed it.So, what do you say, Jordan?Shall we try again?”

CHAPTER 15

Jordan excused himselffor a moment, leaving the office and returning with a variety of soda options.Setting them on the desk, he looked at me, gesturing to the drink offerings as he asked if I wanted anything.I didn’t have soda often, but today my throat was dry.Thinking something fizzy might help, I reached for the orange flavor and cracked it open, thanking him.

He grabbed one for himself and sat back down.

“I owe you an apology,” he said.“I’ve been friends with Tyler for many years, and I’m sorry if I wasn’t honest with you.It’s not who I am, but this situation has left me in a bit of a predicament.I could have handled it better, and I didn’t.”

“You were trying to protect him.I get it.”

“I also wasn’t aware the news about Tyler and Tiffany’s relationship had gotten out.”

“What do you know about the affair?”

He set the can of soda on the desk, tapping a finger against the can, thinking.“I realize my dishonesty has left you with no reason to trust me, but believe me when I say, if you’re thinking Tyler had anything to do with the death of your friend, he did not.”

It was just what a person protecting their friend would say, preferring to see them in the best possible light instead of entertaining the notion everyone had a breaking point—even Tyler.

“How long have you known about the affair between Tyler and Tiffany?”I asked.

“Not long.Tyler came into work one morning, and right away, I could tell something was off.Most days, the first thing he does when he gets here is to come to my office and greet me.That day, he went to his office and shut the door, even though he knew I was here.”

“Did you speak to him?”

“Yeah, I went to his office and tried to make small talk.He told me he hadn’t been sleeping well, but he didn’t say why.”