Page 57 of In the Air Tonight

I note how she answers the question without actually answering. “So you weren’t alone, and the other person is unwilling to come forward.”

“I’ll only comment on my own story.”

“The AG will ask who else was there.”

“I’ll only comment on my own story.”

“It’d go easier for you if someone could corroborate your story.”

Her silence speaks volumes.

“Okay, Blaise. We’ll play it your way. I’ll let you know what the AG says.”

“Thank you, Houston.”

I stare out the window for a long time, thinking about this case and the absolute shit storm that will ensue if the AG moves to reopen the case. I receive an email that afternoon from Spurling that the AG wants twenty-four hours to review the case files and decide whether to proceed.

In the meantime, I need to see Neisy and warn her of what might be coming. If she’s unwilling to participate, it’ll all be for naught anyway. But there’s no way I can let her be blindsided.

I fire up my computer and buy a ticket to fly to Norfolk tonight with a return tomorrow afternoon.

Chapter 13

Neisy

NOW

“Levi, get your shoes on. We’re going to be late.” That kid will be the absolute death of me. He moves in reverse, especially in the morning. Kane and I joke about giving our six-year-old coffee for the jolt of caffeine. We look forward to him becoming a teenager so that’ll be an option. In the meantime, every morning is a struggle with him.

“He’s still in the bathroom, Mom,” my eldest, Charlotte, tells me when she comes downstairs ready to rule the fourth grade.

“Seriously?”

“Would I lie to you?”

“Never. Watch the twins while I fetch him.” I kiss the top of her blonde head and take the stairs two at a time. “Levi! Let’s go.”

“I’m coming.”

“Not fast enough.”

“Dad says these things cannot be rushed.”

I roll my eyes because that’s absolutely true. Kane takes forever in the bathroom, and his son is him all over again in more ways than one.

“If I have to come in there…”

“You donotwant to come in here.”

“You’re going to miss the bus.” I drove Charlotte to school every day until the twins arrived and made it impossible to get four kids out the door by seven forty-five every morning. The bus is the best thing to ever happen to me since the twins were born.

“I haven’t missed it yet, and I’m not gonna start today.”

“Please, buddy. Hurry up.”

“I’m coming.”

The sound of the toilet flushing gives me hope that I won’t be trucking four kids to the elementary school this morning.

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