Page 67 of Over the Edge

“Not much. That’s part of the problem.” She let out a shuddering breath and peeked over. “I really need to talk to someone, but I don’t have any close friends here yet.”

“I think of you as a friend. And I’d be happy to lend an ear if that would help.”

Dara chewed on her lower lip again. “Will you keep everything I tell you in confidence?”

“Yes. I promise.”

While Dara took a tiny sip of her tea, indecision tightening her features, Lindsey waited. Pushing would be a mistake.

At last the other woman spoke. “You know Chad’s background, right?”

“The basics.”

“It sort of sets him up for suspicion, you know?”

“Does he have a record?”

“No, but a former street person is always going to raise red flags if they get connected to a murder.”

“You mentioned circumstantial evidence. Do you feel comfortable sharing anything about that with me?”

“Yes. As long as you keep it to yourself.”

Lindsey listened as Dara filled her in on the earring the police had found on the running board of Chad’s truck and the stolen bracelet—supposedly from Chad—that his homeless friend had tried to pawn, prompting the most recent visit from Jack.

Hard as she tried to maintain a neutral expression, Lindsey struggled to hide her dismay. While none of what Dara had relayed was incriminating, it would definitely bump Chad higher on the suspect list even if he denied any knowledge of the circumstances in both cases.

“Chad explained it all to the detective, but I don’t know if he believed him.” A tear trickled down Dara’s cheek.

“Suspicions don’t count. Under the law, you’re innocent until proven guilty.” All true, but that sort of evidence would result in intense and upsetting scrutiny. “You don’t think Chad’s homeless friend may have been trying to set him up, do you?”

“No.” She launched into an account of their relationship. “But I didn’t know any of that until Sunday. I didn’t even know Chad was staying in touch with this man. He said he kept it a secret because he didn’t want me to worry about him going down there.”

A man under suspicion, a wife in the dark, a detective on the hunt.

What a mess.

No wonder Dara was jittery.

Lindsey inhaled the soothing mint aroma rising from her mug before she spoke. “How do you feel about Chad not telling you he was visiting his friend?” Best to phrase it like that than flat-out ask if she believed her husband’s story.

Dara exhaled. “Kind of ... betrayed, I guess. And blindsided. I mean, I get that he was trying to protect me, but a man and wife shouldn’t keep secrets from each other, should they?”

“Probably not in most cases, but it does sound as if his intentions were good.”

“Yeah.” Dara scrubbed a finger against a blemish on the stainless-steel prep counter. “But I keep wondering ... if Chad didn’t tell me about his friend, what else hasn’t he told me?”

“About the case?”

“Or anything.” Moisture pooled on her lower eyelids, clumping her lashes. “I love him, Lindsey, and I’ve always trusted him. But I ... I don’t know what to believe anymore. I think he’s being honest with me, but there’s this little twinge of doubt I can’t get rid of. And that’s wrong, isn’t it? I mean, I shouldn’t have any doubts, should I?”

Lindsey took a sip of tea. If only Dr. Oliver were here. He’d know how to advise a troubled young bride.

But maybe Dara wasn’t seeking advice. She might just want to vent, to speak the fears she’d been bottling up inside. Verbalizing concerns often helped relieve stress, as she knew firsthand. And a few words of reassurance wouldn’t hurt, either.

“I don’t think you should beat yourself up about this, Dara. You and Chad have had a lot thrown at you these past couple of weeks. When your world is turned upside down, it’s normal to begin questioning everything. Has Chad ever done anything until now that made you doubt him?”

“No.”

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