Page 60 of Our Daughter's Bones

“Got a warrant? Didn’t think so. So, what do you want?”

Nick pulled out a picture of Abby. “She’s been missing for a week. Ever seen her before?”

Eddy eyed the picture for no more than a second. “Nope. Anything else?”

“Are you sure?”

He pulled a face and tightened his grip around his girlfriend. “Yes.”

Mackenzie pulled out another picture. “Here you are, talking to her at a gas station. Just before she disappeared.”

“I don’t see no face, miss.” He flashed a smile. His teeth were stained and chipped. Mackenzie’s eyes darted up his arms. Needle marks. But she saw the girlfriend go stiff. She glared at Eddy from the corner of her eye.

“You should’ve been more careful with the cameras, Eddy,” Mackenzie said, deadpan. “Not only did we confirm that to be your jacket, but that’s your birthmark on the hand.”

“Fine.” He kept his burning gaze on her and put the cigarette in his mouth. “Clara, go back inside.”

“No. We need to talk to her.”

“She knows nothing.”

“That’s what you think.”

“You’re not fuckin’ talkin’ to her!”

“Want me to get a warrant, Eddy? And ransack your house?” Mackenzie got in his face. She was taller than average for a woman, and he was shorter than average for a man. “Will be easy considering your record.”

His face turned red. “I just made small talk with her. That girl.”

“Why?” Nick asked.

“She’s cute,” he shrugged. “Saw her standing at the gas station like she was waiting for someone. Just talked to her.”

Clara pressed herself against the door, her face blank. Her boyfriend just admitted to approaching another girl because she was cute. But she showed nothing, like she was used to this.

“She’s in high school.” Nick raised his eyebrows.

“I didn’t know that at first. Thought she was in college. When I realized she was in school, I backed off. I’m no pedophile.”

“Did you see anyone else approach her?” Mackenzie asked.

“Nah. She just walked away.”

“And you didn’t come forward when you saw the news?”

“With my record? Look at me!” he cackled. “I don’t know what happened to that girl anyway.”

“Clara, can we talk? I want to confirm his alibi.”

Clara’s eyes bulged like a deer in headlights. The air felt heavy and brittle. Mackenzie knew this wasn’t the best tactic, but she also knew she couldn’t just walk away. The way Eddy glowered at Clara, she knew he could lunge at her anytime. He jerked his head to Clara, giving his approval.

Once they were away from Eddy and Nick, Mackenzie asked desperately, “Do you need help?”

“No.” Clara looked at her feet.

She saw Nick talking to Eddy, but his attention was glued to Clara. “Listen to me, Clara,” she dropped her voice, “right now, you feel like you can take it. You feel like you can handle him. It hurts, and you’re terrified that he’ll kill you, but you feel like you’ve survived so many years with him, you’ll manage the rest of your life too. What if you’re not alone in the future? What happens if you bring a child into the picture?”

Clara’s nostrils flared. Her mouth twitched.