Page 97 of False Evidence

“I’m not certain. A few days before her suicide, Kendall said she had my old computer—from when we lived together—but the motherboard was fried. She’d planned to attempt to rescue the files for me, but had accepted she’d never get around to it. She said if I didn’t want the computer, she was going to recycle it, so I grabbed the drive when I was at her house sorting belongings with her sister. I assume it has old photos. Dissertation research. Stuff like that.”

“You have those files elsewhere?”

She shrugged. “Maybe? It was so long ago, and I’ve had crashes with data loss since then, so there could be files I don’t have copies of, but I didn’t have a SATA cable at JT’s cabin.”

“I would imagine a place like Raptor would have everything you’d need to access the files.”

“Yes. I imagine so. Would that be a problem?”

“I don’t see one. It’s obviously the same hard disk you had that night, unless that’s someone else’s blood.”

“And hair. It ripped out a few strands of his hair.”

“Even more DNA, then,” Raul said.

“Why did you keep the drive when you ran?” Anna asked.

“I just reacted. It was in my hand. I shoved it in my coat pocket when I hid in the shrubs. I didn’t really think about it.”

Raul nodded. “That checks out. It’s on the video.” He pointed to the screen, and Anna nodded.

Alexandra was glad he didn’t turn the computer around so she could see the screen. She assumed Lee had provided her legal team with the uncut version, including the gunshot, and she didn’t want to see the full video.

At some point, she’d need to watch it—possibly even today with the detective observing her every emotion—but she’d be happy to avoid that as long as possible.

Another knock at the door came. This time, it was Keith informing them that the police were here.

Anna met Alexandra’s gaze. “I’m ready. Are you?”

She braced herself as she nodded.

“Good. I want you to move to this side of the table. Don’t answer any questions without my approval, and you’ll do fine.”

She moved as instructed, taking a deep breath as she settled into the seat. “Should I have kissed my daughter when she left the room?”

Anna’s voice softened. “I can’t make any promises, but with that video, you’re in a very good position. And the fact that there have been several complaints filed against Officer Williams that went uninvestigated means you might have a case against the MSP. I have a feeling they’re more interested in you as a witness now, but they need to clear you of complicity.”

Alexandra knew better than most the mathematics behind the concept of it being impossible to prove a negative. The only way to prove she wasn’t complicit would be to identify the shooter and their motive.

Which, of course, she was desperate to do. She wouldn’t feel safe until she had answers. But her innocence would not be proven until someone else’s guilt was confirmed.

Two plain-clothed officers entered the room, and the interview began.

ChapterThirty-Six

JT was relieved when it was his turn to be interviewed. His attorney was not available to be physically present for the interview, but Raptor was a haven of technology, and the man was present via secure video feed.

Twenty minutes later, he was done, and the officers left the compound. JT found Alexandra as she sat with Anna and Raul in the larger conference room. She rose to her feet, looking weary but not wary.

He pulled her into his arms, kissed her temple, and asked, “You okay?”

He felt her nod as she held him tight. After a long interval, her grip loosened, and she stepped back. “It was intense, but not awful. Lots of suspicious looks. But I’m not in handcuffs.”

Anna and Raul were both on their feet, packing up computers and briefcases. “I’m certain they’ll follow up—several times. Do not speak to them without me.”

Lex nodded.

“This would be a lot easier for them if you’re complicit. If they can find a vendetta against Officer Williams after he failed to inform the prosecutor sixteen years ago, then Williams’s assault would have a different context.”

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