Page 112 of The System

“Kieran, I don’t want to waste time focusing on something that might not even hurt us. I’d rather focus on this; something that can help us.”

Kieran stood up, grabbed her jacket off the back of his guest chair, and said, “Okay. Well, Marin asked me to put my detective hat on, so I’m going to see what I can dig up.”

“You’re not a detective.”

“No, but I am good with logic, and this isn’t logical, Frank.”

“Do not get yourself into any trouble. Do not hurt my case, Kieran. It’ll only end up hurting Marin, and she doesn’t deserve that.”

“I won’t do anything that could hurt her. She’s my sister.”

She left the room before he could say anything else and headed home. When she got there, she checked the time. She’d already finished work for the day before she’d visited with Marin, and Frank had been at his office late, but now, Kieran was supposed to go to Carina’s place tonight and would first need to shower, change, pack for another night away, and, somehow, still find the time to look up this guy who claimed that Marin murdered his girlfriend.

When the doorbell rang, she was surprised because she wasn’t expecting anything. She got up, checked the peephole before answering, and then opened the door.

“What are you doing here? I thought we were going to your place tonight,” she said to Carina, who walked in.

“I’m working from home tomorrow, so I thought we could just stay here, if that’s okay. Look, I packed a bag and everything. You’ll probably want to verify, but I promise you that there are no pillows inside here.”

Kieran laughed and took the bag from her, setting it on the floor. She closed the door behind Carina and pulled her into a hug.

“I’m glad you’re here. I have good news.”

“You do? Good. I could use some of that.” Carina pulled her in tighter. “And some of this, too.”

“Are you okay?” Kieran asked.

“Yeah, I’m okay.” Carina forced a smile when they pulled apart.

“Well, now, you’re just lying to me. What’s wrong?”

“Just… good news first, okay?” Carina rubbed up and down Kieran’s arms.

“Can you keep a secret from your buddy Kevin? Or are you going to get in trouble if I tell you something and you don’t tell him?”

“That’s a complicated question right now. So, maybe just tell me, and I’ll keep it to myself.”

“I found Marin,” she shared.

“Found her where? Not at the county jail?”

“She’s on the bus footage,” Kieran replied with a smile. “She’s on the number twelve bus during the murder.”

“The whole window?”

“No, but some of it, and she has a big bump and cut on her head.”

“That is good news,” Carina said. “You’ve believed her every minute, even when no one else did, didn’t you?” She smiled a real smile and shook her head.

“She’s my twin sister. I just feel it.”

“Even though it doesn’t make sense and isn’t practical or logical like my pillows?” Carina teased.

“I’m not sure feelings are meant to make sense. I mean, look at what I feel for you. I was straight up until I met you – or, at least, I always thought I was – and you were the attorney trying to lock up my sister, but I’m here, excited to see you at the end of the day, anyway.”

“And I’m here with you, even though I shouldn’t be because my career might be in ruins,” Carina said.

“What?” Kieran sobered. “What are you talking about?”

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