Page 99 of In the Air Tonight

“Would you mind?”

“Not at all.”

“I’m sorry about…”

“Don’t be. It’ll keep.”

The promise in those four little words propels me forward, out of the house to the yard where Houston is playing with Fenway.

Houston immediately notes that Jack and I were together in his house. “Sorry to drop by without calling first.”

“That’s okay,” I tell him. “What’s going on?”

“I heard from Spurling. The grand jury has voted to indict.”

Jack’s hand lands on my back in a private show of support that I deeply appreciate.

“What happens now?”

“Ryder will be arrested and charged. He’ll be held until an arraignment at which he’ll probably be released on bail and asked to surrender his passport. The AG’s office will hold a press conference this afternoon to announce the case has been reopened due to new evidence.”

“Will they say what that evidence is?”

“No, they won’t want to tip their hand yet, but it won’t be long before they’ll be required to turn over discovery to Ryder’s defense attorney. That discovery will include your sworn statement.”

I swallow hard. I have a matter of days, maybe not even that long, before everyone will know the case is being reopened because of me. Sienna knows I’m home in Rhode Island. She won’t see this as a coincidence.

“I received a threatening text.” I’d debated whether to tell him and had decided not to bother him with it. But now that shit’s getting real, I’m worried.

“From whom?”

“Sienna Elliott.” I show him the text. “She knows I’m back in town. When the case is reopened, she’ll know why.”

“I’ll increase patrols around here today.” He hands my phone back to me. “Was she the other witness?”

“I can speak only for myself, but that was the first text I’ve received from her in fourteen years.”

“Understood. Would you like me to have a word with her?”

“I don’t think that’s necessary. She’ll find out soon enough that her threats didn’t have any effect on me.”

“Because the crime took place at a party at my house, I’ve asked the State Police to handle the arrest. I’m taking every precaution to make sure no one can impugn the reopened investigation.”

“Thank you, Houston. I know this is complicated for you.”

“It is, but I don’t want you to worry about that.”

“When will I be needed? My boss in New York is making noise about me getting back to the city.”

“In the next two weeks or so for the preliminary hearing.”

“I’ll be there.”

“See you then.”

“Thanks again for coming by.”

“No problem.”

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