Page 98 of Tangled Trust

"No. It’s Parker. Doctor Parker, actually."

"Doctor? I thought she was an Au Pair."

That’s it, Amanda. Lay it on thick. You’ve got this.

"It appears that Dr. Parker came to LA to escape an abusive relationship."

"I see. This is unbelievable. Does Carter know about this?"

"Yes. Doctor Parker told Mr. Moore all about it."

Fuck! So Carter knew, and he said nothing to me. The bastard’s known all along.

"I’m at a loss as to why I’m here, Detective. If you know all this about Ella, then why do you need to question me? I fail to see how I can be of assistance to you in your investigation. If you suspect Ella’s ex, then why aren’t you looking for him?"

I don’t like the way this cop is looking at me. I get the feeling that there’s something he’s not telling me, but I can’t imagine what it could be.

"We are busy with that. But there’s something I thought you could help me with, Amanda," he says, opening his laptop.

What the hell is this cop up to?

"Tell me, Amanda, do you ever frequent the Palms Lifestyle Mall?"

Anderson may as well have slapped me across the face. It would have elicited the same reaction. A coldness spreads through my limbs. I’m convinced that, if I had to, I wouldn’t be able to stand right now. My legs are like jelly, and my heart is beating so hard that I’m sure I’m about to have an attack of sorts. But I have no other choice but to keep my composure.

"From time to time. Why?"

"Have you been there in the last few days?"

"Uhm…"

Shit! I don’t know if I should say yes or no.

"I don’t recall. It’s been a bit of a crazy week for me."

"I see. There’s something I’d like to show you if you’ll indulge me," Anderson says, turning the laptop around so I can see what’s on the screen.

My day just went from bad to worse. I watch the scene unfold before my eyes. I imagine that there isn’t a jury in the world that wouldn’t find me guilty when presented with this footage. It’s me in the video. I know that. But does the cop?

"Do you recognize the woman in this footage, Miss Hammond? I must say, it does look remarkably like you. What I can’t fathom is why you would be seen getting out of Doctor Parker’s car on the day that she goes missing. Were the two of you together? Was she in the Mall?"

I stare at the screen. Perhaps if I look long enough, the picture will change.

"At this stage, Amanda, all we know for sure is that you drove Ella’s car and parked it at the Mall. There’s nothing criminal about that. I do think, however, that if we put the whole picture together, we may find something that will put you in a very bad light. I think it would behoove you to fill in the blanks for me."

"Do I need an attorney?"

"I don’t know, Amanda. Did you do something to Ella Parker?"

"No. I didn’t."

"Do you know who did?"

"I might," I relent.

It occurs to me that if I cooperate, I may still be able to get out of this colossal hole I’ve dug for myself.

"Please, Amanda. Tell me the truth, and I’ll see what we can do for you."

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