Page 33 of Fake It True

“Casey?” the police officer prompted.

“I’m here,” I said, my voice strained. “That’s what I think happened to my sister. I didn’t know what to do because I didn’tknow how to prove it. I can confirm Nathaniel was often at her apartment, including the night she died.” I paused, blinking back the tears stinging my eyes. “Nathaniel is a family friend. His parents are close to mine. I don’t want you to think I want to protect him. I just didn’t know how to go about proving what I suspected.”

“You’re not the first person who’s shared these same concerns. These things are hard to prove. If it was just a one-off event, we might not even start digging. At this point, there are four deaths connected to Nathaniel.”

“Oh, wow,” I breathed. I sagged in my chair as the enormity of the situation struck me.

I accepted that my sister was responsible for her own actions. I knew how her substance abuse problem developed. I knew she had become desperate. I intellectually understood all of it. The anger I felt toward anyone who traded in those drugs felt suffocating if I thought about it.

“So, what happens now?” I finally asked.

“We have a strong case. At this point, our team is interviewing everyone we can to corroborate what we already know.”

“Have I been able to provide anything helpful?”

“Absolutely. It may not feel like it to you, but you’re able to confirm the whereabouts of Nathaniel at your sister’s apartment, including on the night that she died. You’re also able to confirm that you knew he was selling drugs to her.”

Every time I thought about that night, my insides twisted into a knot. My sister wasn’t high when I left that night. I’d unfortunately become familiar with how she looked and behaved when she was high. She’d looked a little tired, but okay.

“As to what happens next, we already have a warrant ready to go. He’s not the only person being arrested,” Officer Blankenship explained. My heart started beating unsteadily anddread coated my insides. “We expect to file a warrant with the court soon. He’ll be arrested along with the others.”

I swallowed. Janet was patiently sitting beside me, her presence soothing me. “So, uh, will this be public information?”

“Yes. If you’d like, I can notify you when he’s in custody. I’m assuming you’ll want to communicate with your parents at that point.”

My tears felt cold on my cheeks as I nodded, before replying, “Yes.” My voice was hoarse and my heart literally ached.

When I finished the call, Janet scooted her chair closer and wrapped her arm around my shoulder, giving me a squeeze before handing me a tissue. “I heard most of it. I know this is painful, but I think it’s for the best. Your sister deserves justice.”

I took a shaky breath, followed by a swallow of coffee, needing the jolt of caffeine and the rich flavor to knock my system out of its dazed shock. “It hurts, but it’s a relief.”

Josie and Janet kept checking on me as the afternoon went along. Even though all of this was stressful, I felt a little lighter inside without the weight of feeling alone in what I suspected about how my sister died.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

CASEY

Over the next few days, I didn’t know how to adjust to the news that Nathaniel was going to be arrested and charged. When I got the call from Officer Blankenship that he was in custody and the charges were public information, I burst into tears.

The truth finally might come out and I wouldn’t have to carry the weight of my suspicions alone. My relief was short-lived because, of course, his parents bailed him out of jail.

My parents called and left me emotionally devastated.

“I simply cannot believe it,” my mother said, her voice ringing with conviction.

“Mom, you know how Callie died. Just because you think you know someone doesn’t mean you actually do,” I said.

My father cut in, “I talked to Nathaniel as soon as he was out. They got the wrong guy. The police are connecting dots that don’t even exist. He and your sister were never involved. You’re the one he’s been in love with for years.”

It was amazing I didn’t vomit on my phone. “Dad! He’s not in love with me. He never has been. I have no idea why you would think that. I know he and Callie were seeing each other, and he was dealing her drugs. She told me! There are four deaths connected to drugs he sold. Don’t be so naïve.”

“Honey, you cannot believe that,” my mother insisted. Her voice was a little shaky though, and I sensed cracks starting to form in her faith in Nathaniel.

“I do. I’ve suspected he had something to do with Callie’s death ever since it happened. While I did always want to travel, finally coming to Alaska has been a relief. I’m far enough away from what happened to feel like I can breathe. Nathaniel knows I suspect something because he’s been texting and calling me. I don’t answer. While Callie is responsible for her own actions, he is responsible for selling her drugs that were too strong.”

Tears were rolling down my cheeks, and I was shaking all over.

“He’s innocent until proven guilty,” my dad said.

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