Page 57 of The Summer that Changed Everything

“Good thinking. That’ll give Friedman a feel for where Aurora spent her last night.”

“There’s something else,” she said. “I don’t know if it’s connected to anything, but she told me a strange story about their boat.”

“Did you say ‘boat’?”

“Yeah. Their rowboat.”

“What happened?” He was eager to hear her response, but he’d just pulled to the curb at Reggie’s duplex and found him and his sister getting into his truck to leave. “Actually, I’ll come by later,” he said. “I have to go.”

Lucy didn’t like that Ford had gotten off the phone so quickly. It suggested he’d run into something that demanded his attention, and she guessed it had to do with Reggie. The last thing she needed was for someone else to get hurt, especially because this time shewouldfeel responsible—for coming back and stirring the pot.

While they talked, she’d been driving to the trailer park where she used to live. As difficult as the memories were, she’d been happy in this town—until the end. For nostalgia’s sake, she’d wanted to see what was left of her home but found a park bench where the trailer used to be. And there was a monument where the Matteos had lived.

She’d just gotten out to have a look when Ford cut their conversation short. She wanted a moment to read the plaque, but she turned around and got back in her car instead. Considering how hostile Reggie had been to her, she felt she had to hurry over there.

She drove way too fast, glancing apprehensively into the rearview mirror every few seconds. She guessed Chief Claxton would love to see her get pulled over. Anything that would make it easier to discredit her and her claims—or discourage her so she’d go away. But the duplex wasn’t far, and she arrived without incident to find Ford and Reggie yelling at each other. Anna was there, too, next to her brother in the front yard.

Cutting off her engine, Lucy jumped out of the car and came around to stand by Ford.

“Don’t give me that! Iknowyou lied!” Ford’s eyes were as steely as Lucy had ever seen them. He’d been just a boy when they were dating; she’d never experienced Ford like this—implacable, immovable.

Reggie was so focused on the argument he didn’t even glance at her. He probably didn’t want to be distracted in case this thing came to blows. At the moment, Ford was all he was concerned about. It was Anna who acknowledged her presence with a worried look.

“You don’t know jack shit!” Reggie yelled back. “So get your rich, entitled ass off my lawn!”

“You mean your dirt patch?” Ford spat. “I think I’m on what would be considered the sidewalk, if you had one. Anyway, I’m here to deliver an important message.”

“And that is...”

“It’s time to tell the truth. Because of you, the Clarks think the man who murdered their daughter is behind bars, and we both know he isn’t.”

“You can’t say that,” Reggie said. “No one really knows who killed Aurora.”

Ford stepped closer. “I thoughtyouknew who killed her.”

“All I did was repeat what that bastard told me in jail. Doesn’t make it true.”

Ford laughed humorlessly. “Oh, so nowhe’sthe one who’s lying? That’s convenient, isn’t it?”

Lucy jumped in, speaking calmly in an effort to deescalate the situation. “Reggie, Darren Clark ran into my father right when Aurora was being killed—according to the timeline established at the trial—and he wasn’t anywhere near the Potomac. Not only that but my father was so drunk he could hardly stand up.”

Anna spoke up. “Drunk men do terrible things all the time,” she said. She was trying to defend her brother, but her voice was small, and she looked as though she’d rather be anywhere else.

“Not when they’rethisdrunk,” Ford clarified. “Ask Darren. When he saw Mick McBride, it was nearly two o’clock, and Mick could hardly remain on his feet. How would he have gotten over to the Zampinos’ in that condition, especially unnoticed?”

Reggie waved a hand. “Who cares? That’s not my problem. The trial’s over. You two just need to let it go.”

“We’re not going to do that,” Ford insisted. “So you can stick with your story until we prove you a liar. Or you can come forward and tell the truth right now. And I promise, coming out with the truth would be much smarter for you.”

Reggie’s muscles bunched. “I swear if you don’t get out of here right now, I’m going for my gun! I have a right to defend my home!”

“Reggie, no!” Anna cried, grabbing her brother’s arm.

Lucy faced Ford. “Come on. Let’s get out of here. This isn’t doing anyone any good. We’ll let Friedman get to the bottom of it. You told me he’s a good investigator.”

Anna spoke from behind her.“You’ve hired an investigator?”

Ford stepped to one side. “We have,” he said. “And he’s digging up all kinds of things. So you might want to talk some sense into your asshole of a brother and anyone else who might be lying about what happened that night.”

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