Page 140 of Pretty Little Thing

“No damage other than the front door, which your super is taking care of right now. Nothing was stolen, either. A neighbor heard the door breaking and called the police, so the suspect was apprehended on-site.”

“Oh.” I sigh with relief. “That’s… lucky.”

Clive lays a hand on my shoulder and I look up at him, finding a little more comfort in his eyes.

“Do you know a man named Alex Preston, Ms. Payne?” Zimmer asks.

“Alex Preston?” I repeat.

Clive flinches.

“No,” I say. “I don’t know anybody by that name…”

His hand falls from my shoulder as he takes a step back.

“He walked right to the safe by your bed,” Zimmer says. “Seems like something only a friend or acquaintance would know about. Can you think of anyone who might know of its location in your home? Recent house guests or repairmen?”

“No, not even my closest friends know…”

I study Clive’s downturn eyes. He won’t even look at me.

Why won’t he look at me?

“Ms. Payne, would you stop by the station at your earliest convenience?” Zimmer asks. “I assume you’d like to press charges.”

Clive picks his shirt up off the floor. His movements are slow and stiff, almost sickly, as he slides it on.

“Yes,” I answer. “Of course. Thank you.”

I hang up and lower the phone to my side.

He still won’t look at me. He just puts on his clothes one piece at a time. He tosses his towel over the chair. He doesn’t say a word.

I pinch my robe closed. “Clive, who is Alex Preston?” I ask.

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