Page 41 of Girl, Reborn

As Julie sobbed into Luca's shoulder, Ellastood frozen on the porch. She watched the scene unfold like it was happeningto someone else, in some other life. In that moment, she would've givenanything to be anywhere else. To be anyone else.

‘We’re sorry,’ Ella said, already fullyaware that any word or action was futile. Julie was broken and would staybroken until her dying day.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

Ella perched on the edge of a creamleather sofa that probably cost more than her yearly salary, feeling about ascomfortable as a nun in a strip club. The Ayers' living room was a spreadstraight out of Better Homes and Gardens; sleek lines; muted tones, pops ofcolor that screamed ‘I have a decorator and you don't.’ The kind of place whereyou'd feel guilty leaving a water ring on the coffee table.

Luca sat beside her, looking like he wastrying not to touch anything for fear it might disintegrate under hisworking-class fingers. Julie Ayers huddled in an armchair across from them witha tissue clutched in her perfectly manicured hand like a tiny white flag ofsurrender.

Ella cleared her throat. ‘Mrs. Ayers, Iknow this is difficult, but we need to ask you some questions about Marcus.’

Julie nodded, dabbing at eyes that werealready puffy and red. ‘Of course. Anything to help.’

‘Your husband seems like he was a greatman,’ Ella said, wincing internally at the past tense. She hated how deathturned people into ‘was’ instead of ‘is,’ how it relegated them to historybooks before the ink on their death certificates was even dry.

‘He was,’ Julie whispered. ‘The best. Istill can't believe...’ She trailed off, fresh tears welling up.

Ella's chest tightened. She'd seen thisscene play out a hundred times, in a hundred different living rooms. Thestunned disbelief, the dawning horror as reality set in. It never got easier.Never hurt less to watch someone's world implode in real time.

Julie took a shuddering breath, visiblypulling herself together. ‘What... what happened to Marcus? How did he...?’ Shecouldn't finish the sentence.

Ella steeled herself. This was always theworst part. ‘We found his body near a dried-up riverbed in Liberty Grove.’

Julie's head snapped up, confusionmomentarily overtaking her grief. ‘Liberty Grove? But that's miles from here.What on earth was he doing there?’

‘That's what we're trying to figure out,’Ella said, leaning forward slightly. She kept her voice gentle, but firm.Professional. Don't let the empathy bleed through too much, or you'll drown init. ‘We think it might have something to do with the dam project he was workingon.’

‘The dam?’ Julie's brow furrowed, creatinglittle lines of bewilderment amidst the tear tracks. ‘What about it?’

Ella shared a glance with Luca. Her eyesheld a warning: tread carefully.

‘Mrs. Ayers,’ Ella began, choosing herwords with the care of a bomb disposal expert. ‘Marcus hasn't been the onlytarget. We've found... another victim, also connected to the dam project. Webelieve there might be a link.’

Julie's eyes widened, a fresh wave oftears spilling over. ‘Oh God,’ she whispered. ‘Oh God, no. You mean... someonedid this on purpose? Someone... killed my husband?’

The raw anguish in her voice hit Ella likea physical blow. She'd heard that tone too many times, seen that realizationdawn in too many eyes. The moment when 'accident' or 'tragedy' became 'murder'and the world tilted on its axis.

‘We're still investigating,’ Ella said,trying to soften the blow. ‘But yes, we believe Marcus was targeted. That's whywe need your help. Can you tell us anything about his work on the project? Anydetails that might seem relevant?’

Julie let out a watery laugh. 'Honey, Ibarely understood half of what Marcus said about his work. It was all data andengineering speak. Flow rates and environmental impact assessments, and Godknows what else. But I know the project paid him very well.'

Of course it did, Ella thought. A flickerof cynicism cutting through her empathy. Nothing motivates quite like a fatpaycheck. How many lives had been ruined, how many corners cut, all in the nameof the almighty dollar?

‘Did Marcus ever mention anyone whoopposed the dam?’ Ella pressed. ‘Anyone who might have threatened him orexpressed strong disagreement with the project?’

Julie's gaze drifted, focusing on somemiddle distance. Ella could see the gears turning behind those teary eyes,sifting through memories, searching for anything that might help. There wassomething there, some nugget of information the widow wasn't sharing. Whethershe was holding back intentionally or just struggling to recall, Ella couldn'ttell.

‘Julie. I know this is incrediblydifficult. I can't imagine the pain you're going through right now. But eventhe smallest detail could help us catch your husband's killer. Anything you canremember, no matter how insignificant it might seem...’

Julie stood abruptly, the motion so suddenit made both agents flinch. Without a word, she disappeared from the room,leaving Ella and Luca to exchange bewildered looks.

‘The hell?’ Luca whispered. ‘Something yousaid?’

‘Maybe you should have done the talkingafter all.’

Luca bit his lip. ‘Poor woman just losther husband. She’s gotta tell two kids their dad is never coming home. Makessense she might be a little weird.’

The seconds ticked by. Ella gave the poorwoman a moment to collect herself. Just when she was about to suggest they golook for Julie, the widow reappeared, clutching a small USB stick in her hand.She shook as she approached the monstrosity of a smart TV that dominated onewall. It was top-of-the-line, of course, probably with more features than aspace shuttle. She fumbled with the USB port as she struggled to insert thetiny device.

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