Chapter 25

Istepped closer to Adam Andersson, his body tense and rigid as he stared off into the chaos of flashing lights and uniformed officers. Detective Ryan stood by my side, a silent presence amidst the chaos. The yellow police tape fluttered in the wind, creating a barrier around the scene of the tragedy. Adam stood still like a statue, unable to comprehend what had happened. He was obviously still in shock.

"Mr. Andersson?" I called out, breaking through Adam"s dazed state. He turned toward me, his eyes bloodshot and empty. "I"m sorry for your loss. We just need to ask you a few questions."

He nodded numbly, running a hand through his disheveled hair before muttering, "Yes, of course."

My questioning gaze bore into him, searching for any sign of hesitation. "When did you get back?" I prodded.

Adam"s shoulders slumped as he wearily replied, "Ten-thirty this morning. From work."

"Ten-thirty? That"s an odd time to finish a shift," I raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"I work the graveyard shift at Ron Jon"s," he explained with a monotone voice.

I leaned forward, my elbows resting on my knees. "Keep going," I urged.

His hands shook as he spoke. "I turned the knob and pushed open the door to the living room, only to find Nicki lying there, on the floor, a pool of… blood surrounding her head." His voice cracked, and he took a deep breath before continuing.

The strong odor of stale beer emanated from him, and I couldn"t help but wrinkle my nose.

"Adam, have you been drinking?" He shifted his weight from foot to foot and avoided my gaze. "Just one beer with the guys after work," he mumbled.

"Can anyone confirm that?" I asked, crossing my arms. Adam hesitated before finally nodding. "Yeah, I can give you their names."

I wrote the names down, along with phone numbers, as he gave them to me.

"Am I under suspicion here? Do I need to get a lawyer?" His voice quivered with nervousness as he spoke, and I could see the fear in his eyes.

"Do you think you might need one?" I asked, trying to read his face.

"N-no," he stuttered. "But I just want to make sure I"m not being accused of anything," he blurted out.

I shifted my weight slightly on my feet, avoiding direct eye contact. "Let"s focus on her state of mind," I replied, trying to deflect his question and move on with the conversation. "Was she depressed? Suicidal?"

"I-I… don"t know," he stammered, shaking his head in bewilderment. "I really don"t know."

"She never said anything to you? Never expressed that she wanted to end things?" I asked.

"N-not that I know of. Not to me, at least," he said.

I nodded and wrote it on my notepad. This guy was definitely hiding something from us. I could tell by his nervous sniffle. He was lying about something. I just didn"t know what yet.

"Stay within the town limits, Adam. We may need to speak with you again," I said before turning away, feeling Ryan"s glare boring into my back.

"Are we done here?" Ryan"s tone held an edge as we stepped aside, away from Adam"s earshot.

"Everyone is a suspect until proven otherwise," I stated, meeting Ryan"s fiery gaze.

"Look, I"ve been on this case since the call came in," Ryan shot back, his stance confrontational. "And I don"t appreciate you grilling him like that. He"s grieving!"

"Suicide or not, I do my job, Ryan. And right now, my job is to question everything." My words were ice against the heat of his anger.

"Damn it! It"s suicide!" Ryan"s voice escalated, carrying across the lawn.

"Then, prove it," I called over my shoulder, walking away from the scene, Ryan"s frustration, and Adam"s quiet despair.