Chapter 32

Rhett made a quick getaway because we need to keep him out of this. He stopped before we reached my house, and no one saw him.

Now I’m back in a freaking interview room with my rather-angry mother beside me.

Sam smiles, trying to put me at ease. “Marley, we know about the dare that Jesse Reece accepted from Rhett Wilder. We know that you, Lucia Sanchez, and Atlas Ford were also present.”

I dip my chin. “I—I wasn’t,” I say.

“We have a source saying you went with the group to Jesse’s truck.”

“Yeah, that’s true, but I didn’t go with them. Not far anyway. Luce and I were both scared and wanted Jesse to pull out of the dare. Atlas was up for it and wouldn’t listen. It was stupid and dangerous. They said we could get out. I did. Luce stayed.”

“You got out?”

“Yeah, when we reached the main road. I saw George walking, and they dropped me off with him so I wouldn’t have to walk back alone at night.”

“George Nelson?”

“Yes.”

“What happened when you left with George?”

I shrug. “We went to his house for a while. I lost track of time and got home at, like, three in the morning. You can check the doorbell.”

Mom’s eyes burn into the side of my head. I actually think I’d be in less trouble with the cops if they knew the whole truth.

“What were you doing at his house for that length of time?”

I feel my cheeks heat, and I know it’s not because of what I’m about to say, because it’s a lie, but rather saying something like this in front of my mom. “We…you know. Were together.”

“Marley,” Mom gasps.

“I didn’t plan it. We were talking and then it just happened.”

“What happened next, Marley?” Officer Ricky asks.

I look at her. “What do you mean?”

“Well, up to this point you were still talking to your friends, correct?”

“Correct.”

“You’ve previously told us that the relationship with your friends has broken down.”

I thread my hands together and stare at the table. “We grew apart.”

“When was this? After that night?”

I sink back in my seat just enough to not look like I’m being theatrical.

“Marley, we need to know what happened that night,” Sam presses.

“I—I don’t know. I wasn’t there.”

He lifts his brow. “Perhaps not, but something has you frightened.”

“I can’t,” I whisper.

“Who are you scared of?” Mom asks. “Marley, you need to tell the police everything. No one can hurt you.”

I raise my eyes and stare at her. “Are you kidding? Arthur and Ruthie were murdered! George is in the hospital.”

“Oh, honey, is that why you were so worried about him? Because you two…”

“Yes, Mom,” I say, turning away from her as if I’m embarrassed.

“Marley, if you know who killed Arthur and Ruthie, you must tell us,” Sam says. “We can protect you.”

“Well, I’m not certain.”

“Marley.”

“They changed after that night. When I saw them at school, they were weird, having private conversations. Luce looked…haunted and didn’t want to talk, just stuck right by Jesse. I mean, they’re pretty much always together, but this was weird because she would happily spend time with me too. Jesse was angry, had a scowl on his face and snapped at me a few times. I knew something was wrong.” I take a long breath. “And then Arthur was found, and it came out that it wasn’t an accident. I had a suspicion then, because Luce was driving Jesse around more and that never happens. Um, then when it was reported approximately how long he’d been dead…the timeline fit.”

“Did you question them about it?” Officer Ricky asks.

“I asked if something happened, because they were all acting out of character. Jesse started getting mad, told me to stay out of it because I was always sticking my nose in his business, which isn’t true. So, then I kind of knew. He didn’t leave me alone after that. I have so many messages from him, you can look. He was constantly checking in on me.”

“I can’t believe this,” Mom whispers.

Officer Ricky leans forward a fraction. “Did Jesse or any of your friends admit to what happened?”

“No,” I reply. “So I’m not sure, but I…I think it was them.”

Sam nods. “What about Ruthie?”

I shrug. “I have no clue about Ruthie. She wasn’t with us in the truck, and I didn’t see her when I got out. When she died, I wondered if she’d watched to check that they’d done the dare. I mean, there wasn’t a watch to bring back to prove it. But I’d just be guessing.”

“Why would Ruthie be the one checking?” Sam asks.

“I don’t know if she did, but she and Rhett were kind of an unofficial thing. She was weird after that night too. Well, sort of.”

Officer Ricky raises her brows. “What does that mean exactly?”

“We were never friends with her. She didn’t change, but she was more…I don’t know. She watched them more, hung around a little longer. I didn’t think it was strange until she died. Ruthie wouldn’t have jumped out of that window. I didn’t really know her that well, but she had a scholarship to a great college and couldn’t wait to move out of state.”

“Do you think your friends are capable of murder?” Sam asks.

“I didn’t. I never would have believed that, and I don’t want to, even now that we’re not on good terms. I’ve slept over at their houses and trusted them with my fears and secrets.” I shake my head. “I want this to be a misunderstanding so bad, but I can feel that it’s not, and that terrifies me. I don’t know what to do. I don’t…” I take a breath and place my hand over my heart.

“Shhh, it’s okay,” Mom says, rubbing my back.

“It’s not okay, Mom.”

“Marley, is that blood on your fingernails?” Sam asks.

I almost smile but catch it in time. Curling my fingers into my palm, I nod. “Yes.”

“Whose is it?” he asks.

“Jesse’s,” I whisper.

He and Officer Ricky look at each other. “Why?”

“I went for a walk. I stayed in for as long as I could, but I was going crazy. Sorry, Mom. I kept to the forest because I didn’t think I’d see anyone else. Thought I’d be safe just for thirty minutes.”

“What did he do?” he presses.

“I was walking through the forest on my way back home when I heard footsteps. I couldn’t see anyone, but it spooked me because it was definitely not an animal. I’ve been camping and hiking with my dad enough times to know the difference between animal and human steps.”

I’ve also been camping when Sam’s been with us, so this is all true. It’ll help build my credibility.

“I got a call from Rhett. He said he’d seen me go into the woods, and then he saw Jesse nearby. He watched him change direction and come after me. Jesse grabbed me from behind. He was screaming about cops at his house. I hung up with Rhett because I knew I had to record. I thought Jesse had come to…” I sniff and wipe a tear. An actual tear that I manage to conjure from nothing. “Um. Yeah, I thought he was going to hurt me, so I recorded the attack.”

“I’m going to need that, Marley.”

I nod, taking the phone from my pocket, opening the app, and handing it to Sam.

He plays the now-edited version. The one that ends right before Rhett arrived.