Page 65 of The Summer that Changed Everything

He glanced at Ford as if he was tempted to say something he wouldn’t allow himself to say in Ford’s presence. “I take my responsibilities as chief of police seriously, always do what’s best for this community!” he nearly shouted.

She folded her arms. “Even if it’s illegal? Because I believe you know Reggie lied on the stand. Youknowhe lied, but you don’t care because you think the end justifies the means.”

His voice dropped an octave at least. “I know your father was a very dangerous man. That’s what I know. We’re lucky his trial went the way it did. Maybe if you’d seen Aurora’s bloated and decomposing body or had to tell her poor parents that she’d been found dead, you’d be as happy about his conviction as I am.”

“You can’tassumemy father killed Aurora because he killed the Matteos. You need more proof than Reggie’s testimony!”

“Therewasmore than Reggie’s testimony. Your father had a strong motive, the means and opportunity.”

“There could be a lot of other people who had a strong motive, the means and opportunity,” she said.

“No one who’d killed before.” He stepped closer to her, prompting Ford to do the same—and lift a hand to keep the police chief from comingtooclose.

“You hated Aurora,” he continued. “Admit it! She was all over Ford that summer, and you were terrified of losing him.”

“That isn’t true! I loved Ford—was completely head over heels—but I also thought he loved me!”

Claxton gave her an “as if” look. “You knew he was way out of your league, that you couldn’t compete with someone like Aurora.”

“I think it’s time for you to leave,” Ford interrupted, but Claxton wasn’t done.

“You were willing to doanythingto make sure you didn’t lose him,” he continued with a laser-like focus on Lucy. “So you bitched about her to dear old Daddy, and he took care of the problem for you. Isn’t that right?You’rethe reason she was killed!”

Lucy was beginning to feel sick to her stomach but couldn’t bite back the retort that rose to her lips. “Just because you wrote it on my mirror doesn’t make it true.”

“Lucy, let it go,” Ford warned, his voice bordering on remonstrative. “The investigator I hired will get to the bottom of it. And if the prosecution relied on a witness the police knew was lying, we’ll do all we can to see that those responsible are held accountable.”

Ford had finally managed to draw Claxton’s attention. “You hired an investigator?” he asked.

“Lester Friedman,” Ford replied. “Have you heard of him? He’s one of the best private investigators in the country.”

The veins stood out in Claxton’s neck. “Goddammit, Ford! You have no idea what you’re doing,” he yelled and stomped out.

The slamming of the door reverberated through the house. Then they heard an engine rev outside.

“That went well,” Ford said sarcastically.

Lucy sank into the closest chair and buried her face in her hands.

“You okay?” He came to stand beside her.

“I’m fine. I’m sorry. I should’ve kept my mouth shut. But I couldn’t let him make fools out of both of us by pretending he was going to do something about this.” She gestured toward the hallway to indicate the break-in.

Ford shoved a hand through his hair. “I get that. But now he’s so pissed off there’s no telling what he’ll do.”

“He’ll turn the whole town against us. That’s what he’ll do. But this town has never been on my side, which is why I warned you not to get involved.”

“I don’t regret getting involved, Lucy. I just think some approaches might get us further than others.”

“And I think that maybe it was time I rattled his cage. Maybe the police need to understand thattheymight be the ones looking down the barrel of the—” she made air quotes “—truth before this is over.”

“If they know Reggie was lying, it’s about time,” he conceded and started gathering the clothes strewn down the hall.

She got up. “What are you doing?”

“What does it look like?” he said. “I’m helping you pack so we can get you moved over to my place.”

“I was only going to take a few things until...”

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