Page 23 of Perfect Liar

“Oh, you know, Nick’s Restaurant? I’ve worked there for years. It’s a thing for the officers to come in once or twice a week.”

His eyes shifted to see beyond the open door.

“Yes, that’s right. I mean to stop in soon. I hear the chowder is quite good.”

Confusion set in, messing up my head even more, because he hadn’t stated a reason for his visit, and considering the circumstances, it unsettled me. He hadn’t even mentioned my family.

Where was his damn compassion?

“Would it be all right for me to come in, Miss James?”

I redirected the conversation, or I tried to.

“Officer, can you tell me anything at all about what happened to my family? Should I meet the investigators at the station this morning?”

He didn’t answer my questions, and the next question he asked me was the one, the only one that could break me.

“Are you alone?”

My eyes filled with unshed tears.

“Yes, I’m alone.”

“Good. I mean, no, there’s no need for you to come to the station just yet. We’ll call you. But if you do want to come back into town, call me first. I’ll see that it’s safe for you.”

He handed me a standard Stonington Police Department business card, but he’d handwritten his mobile number on it, along with his full name, Simon Parker.

“Miss James, if you must leave this house, I will escort you.”

I nodded.

“That’s very generous, but I’d rather have you focus on the investigation.”

Detective Parker stared into the house again.

“We’re doing all we can at this time.”

“Thanks. If you don’t need anything else right now, then I’d like to rest.”

“Of course. You have my number if you think of anything you want to tell me.”

He extended his hand, and I gave him mine.

Ben’s throat vibrated.

Parker’s grip was uncomfortable. He absolutely meant to intimidate me.

“A word of advice, Miss James. If you leave here without a police escort, stay local where we can easily find you.”

He turned and walked to his car.

I waited to shut the door until he pulled away.

Ben touched my shoulder.

A stinging sensation gnawed at the pit of my stomach.

And I knew…

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