Page 37 of Xavier

I glance over at the Lieutenant with what I can only assume is a horrified expression because he pulls out the chair next to mine and sits down.

“Can they leave us alone?” I whisper as I nod toward Uncle Zach and Xavier. I don’t need them knowing everything that happened to me in the last twenty-four hours.

Lieutenant looks at the men before saying, “Reyes, take the two of them outside and get their statements.”

After the three of them leave, I let out a long sigh. “Can you two promise me that no one will tell my dad before I get the chance to?”

Sergeant Smith and Lieutenant share a glance before nodding.

I give them a nod. “Alright, so everyone knows about the breakup and the scene at the bonfire last night. I walked away to clear my head and left the bonfire early, but someone tried to kidnap me.”

Lieutenant nods while Sergeant Smith’s eyes get so big I think they’re going to fall out of his head, but he doesn’t say a word.

“Andy saw what happened and scared the guy away. The suspect didn’t get into a car; he just ran down the street. Andy made sure I got home safely last night.”

He also sent me a text this morning to make sure I was okay.

I wait until Sergeant Smith finishes writing to continue my story. “Earlier this afternoon, I noticed someone following me. I called the Lieutenant, and he helped me lose the guy.”

Glancing at the Lieutenant, I silently ask if they were able to get him. He nods and says, “We were able to apprehend the suspect and impound the SUV, but he’s not speaking. He’s waiting for his lawyer to arrive.”

Figures. Is he associated with Everett and the other two men?

Sergeant Smith stops writing and asks, “How did you end up here?”

“I wanted some pie and asked Uncle Zach if I could come get some, since I knew he always has pie here. I used my key to enter and even locked the door behind me. Everett, here, broke in and destroyed the place.”

“How do you know his name?” He continues to scribble on his notepad without looking up at me.

“The other two men called him by his name during their conversation. They snuck in while Everett was in the office.”

“And they didn’t see you at all?”

His question makes it seem like I’m lying. Why would I lie about this?

“No. I hid in the kitchen, but I was afraid that I’d be seen with the light on, so while Everett was in the office, I snuck up here and hid under that booth.”

I point to the corner booth where I was.

He hmms for a few moments before asking, “When and how did their conversation turn deadly?”

How much should I divulge to them? Will the truth implicate Uncle Zach, or will it help us get the answers we need to figure all of this out?

I decide to skip over the nitty-gritty details of their conversation. “I’m not really sure. From their conversation, I thought they were all friends catching up, but the other two men seemed to turn on Everett.”

“Was it sudden or did tension grow between the three of them?”

“It seemed to happen suddenly. One man was practically standing an arm’s length away from Everett and the other, shorter, man pulled out his gun and shot Everett.”

“That’s odd. Did Everett say anything to upset the man?”

“I don’t really remember.” I hate lying, but I need to find out the truth from Uncle Zach first.

“When did Zach and Xavier get here?”

“After the killer and the other man left, I called Uncle Zach and informed him of what had just happened. I was still under the booth when Xavier got here. Uncle Zach arrived a few minutes later.”

“When did you call the police?”

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