Page 97 of Colton's Last Resort

Joshua wasn’t heartened by the news. “Fantastic. I can’t believe I actually liked the guy. I can’t believe I trusted him with you.”

Laura glanced around quickly to make sure no one would overhear. Then she hissed, “Allison was his sister!”

“What?” Joshua exclaimed.

“She was his sister,” she repeated. “He needed help. I gave it—for her.”

Joshua stepped back. He pinched the skin at the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes. “This is a lot to process.”

“Then take a beat,” Adam advised. “We’ll speak about this, however much you need to. But come back when you’re ready to do so civilly.”

Joshua dropped his hand. He glanced in Laura’s direction but didn’t quite meet her eye. “I’ve said some things tonight I’m going to regret later.”

“Adam’s right,” Laura said. She tried swallowing the guilt and hurt. Together, they formed a knot that was anything but small. “We’ll talk more when you’re ready.”

He lifted his empty glass. “I need another.”

As he moved off, Laura dropped her face into her hand. “Oh, God, Adam. He’s so angry at me.”

“He’s angry at us.”

“I made you keep this from him,” she reminded him. “You didn’t have to take any of the blame.”

“I may not understand all the reasons you did this,” Adam explained. “But I will never not stand beside you. I thought you knew that.”

His ferocity was something to behold. She wanted to tell him she loved him—that she was sorry that he had to weather Joshua’s resentment and accusations, too.

Before she could put any of that into words, Erica said, “Excuse me?” In a black cocktail dress and heels, she looked elegant, but her beauty was subdued by the frown playing at her mouth.

“Yes, Erica?” Adam asked kindly.

“They’re ready for your speech,” she said, gesturing to the stage.

“Right.” Adam downed the last of his champagne. He took the note cards Erica had at the ready, then straightened his collar and tie. “Wish me luck?”

“You always bring down the house,” Laura murmured. “But good luck.”

He gave her a single nod before taking the steps to the bandstand two at a time.

“I was wondering if I could speak to you,” Erica said to Laura. Embarrassment and hesitancy battled for purchase on her face.

“Certainly,” Laura told her, trying to inject some measure of cheer into her voice. It didn’t work as well as she’d hoped.

“I heard a rumor,” Erica said. “About the investigation.”

“What kind of rumor?” Laura asked.

Erica coaxed the words out, paling as she did so. “They say that CJ Knight is a suspect.”

Laura pressed her lips together, wondering what exactly to say. “He may be,” she said, hesitant.

Erica shook her head. “That isn’t right. I mean, you see, I...” Releasing a breath, she lifted a trembling hand to her head. “He has an alibi.”

“He does?” Laura asked, surprised.

“Yes,” she decided. “I lied to you and to Joshua. I’m not entirely sure what came over me that night. The night Allison was killed.”

“You were with him,” Laura intoned.

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