Page 130 of Take Your Breath Away

“Her name was Candace DiCarlo. The neighbors had known her for years. It was something that Albert, Brie’s brother, and Ms. DiCarlo cooked up.”

“What do you mean? Cooked up what?”

“Those performances were designed to persuade Albert’s dying mother that Brie was still alive.”

Jayne was stunned. “Oh my God. That’s … oh my God, that’s insane.”

“No argument. But let’s get back to your confession. I can find you a pad of paper and a pen and you can write it all out for me. But a small matter to clear up first. Once we charge you, who will we release Tyler to?”

Jayne blinked. “To …”

“Not to you, of course. You’ll be in jail, at least until a lawyer can arrange bail, if it’s granted. And if your intention is to plead guilty, you could probably start your sentence right away. So, what about Tyler?”

Slowly, Jane said, “Well, there’s Andrew …”

“Yes, Mr. Carville,” Hardy said. “Presumably he was good enough to take Tyler in because he was living with you. But once you’re out of the picture, will he still want that responsibility? And let’s say he does. There’s still a cloud hanging over your Andrew. Brie remains missing. There’s a strong likelihood she was murdered. Andrew remains atop the list of suspects. One day his luck may run out. If he’s charged and convicted and sent to prison, and you’re already there, what becomes of Tyler then?

“Stop,” Jayne said.

“I simply want you to consider the consequences of this impulsive, no doubt well-intentioned confession you’re determined to make,” Hardy said.

Jayne said something under her breath.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“I’m going to have a baby,” Jayne said.

Hardy sighed. “I see.”

“I found out last week,” she whispered.

“Do you want to give birth in jail, Ms. Keeling? Is confessing to a crime you didn’t commit, to spare your brother, worth giving birth behind bars? There are facilities that will allow you to raise a baby, in the early months, while incarcerated. But is that what you want?”

A tear ran down Jayne’s cheek.

Hardy said, “Maybe, if I were you, I’d be thinking of doing the same thing. You’re terrified for Tyler. But the smartest thing you can do is find him a good lawyer. Someone who can cut a good deal for him.”

Jayne reached into her purse for a tissue.

Hardy pushed back her chair and stood. “You’re welcome to stay here a moment while you pull yourself together.”

Hardy left the room.

As Jayne finished drying her tears, she heard the ping of a text on her phone. She took it from her purse, saw that it was from NORMAN, which meant, of course, that it was from Andrew. The text read:

I’m here.

Fifty-Four

Andrew

Jayne appeared within a minute of my text, entering the police station lobby from an adjacent hallway. I could tell she’d been crying, and at the sight of me she ran into my arms and hugged me, but not before taking in my appearance.

She let go of me, gave me a one-second appraisal, and said, “My God, what’s happened to you?”

I glanced down, having almost forgotten what a sight I was. My clothes were covered with grit, my face and hands smudged with soil, dirt under my fingernails. There was probably some blood mixed in with it if you looked hard enough. I had, after all, just killed a man.

“Your story first,” I said. “But let’s get out of here.” It was more than privacy that prompted me to find another place for us to talk. I didn’t want to run the risk of Hardy seeing me like this, and having to explain. It wouldn’t be long before she learned about what had gone down in those woods.