Page 57 of Misdirection

This whole situation was off the charts.

CHAPTER 23

EIGHT YEARS AGO

The police had come—all ten officers who served their small town. Flashing lights were everywhere, a somber reminder of what had happened.

Paramedics were also on the scene, and one had examined her—listening to her heart and shining a light in her eyes.

The other two paramedics had gone inside, though she wasn’t sure why.

Her four family members were definitely dead. There was no reviving them or helping them. Taking them to the hospital wouldn’t change anything.

A cry clogged her throat.

She couldn’t quite bring herself to believe that was true.

She knew she’d have to deal with her shock later. Right now, she needed to answer the police’s questions.

The police chief himself, Chief Maier—who also went to her father’s church—had taken the lead on this case. The man was in his fifties with thick salt-and-pepper hair, a trim figure, and a squarish face. He seemed kind enough when Olive had talked to him in the past.

She sat in the back of his car with him now, the heat blaring. A blanket had been placed over her shoulders, and she’d beengiven a bottle of water. She tried to force herself to take a few sips, but she felt as if she were going to throw up.

“Ollie, I need you to walk me through what happened.” The chief’s voice remained soft but determined.

She knew there was an urgency to find the person who did this before he got too far away. She’d watched enough shows on TV to remember that.

The events of the night flashed into her mind. Sneaking out to go to that party seemed like something that happened months ago, not mere hours.

If her dad was still alive, he wouldn’t want her sharing with anyone at the church that she had a wild side. But now, none of that mattered. The truth would come out one way or another.

Drawing in a shaky breath, Olive told the chief about sneaking out. About going to the party. About returning home to find her family.

He narrowed his eyes. “When did you leave your house?”

“11:30.”

“Are there people at the party who can verify you were there?”

His question sent shockwaves through her. Was the chief implying that she might be guilty? Was he actually checking her alibi?

“Yes.” The word came out defensive and harsh. “There were a lot of people at the party who can verify I was there.”

He studied her before nodding slowly. “For your sake, I hope you’re right. Because I heard things were tense between you and your parents.”

Another burst of outrage rushed through her.

“Who told you that?” The information didn’t seem like something her father would share, especially not with the police chief.

He shrugged. “It’s not important. It’s a small town. People talk.”

His words reverberated in her mind. “Please tell me you’re not implying I did this? I couldneverhurt my family.”

Olive had felt fairly strong until this moment.

Now, her voice cracked. Her limbs began to tremble. Nausea roiled inside her.

How could Chief Maier think this?

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