Page 69 of Everyone Is Lying to You

“I don’t think it’s been like that. At least not until recently. It’s emotional. It’s the control. He’s always tried to keep her small. He belittles every accomplishment, tells her anyone could do what she does, that she’s silly, that she’s stupid. He blames her for everything that goes wrong on that ranch when all the problems are due to his terrible investments and crap management. He isolates her from everyone. She has no friends except for me, and I don’t even know if she’d consider me one. He’s rotten to the core.”

“How is he with the kids?”

“Mostly ignores them.”

“But he did hurt her physically recently. Did you see that?”

“I was with the kids at the doctor for most of the day, but when I got back, I helped her bandage it all up. The kids saw the damage. It was horrible.”

“She trusts you.”

“Like I said, we’ve been through a lot. JC nearly got deported a few years ago. Rebecca’s been paying for his attorneys. She’s been funding development for my app. She’s good people. I wouldn’t blame her if she murdered Gray, but she didn’t.”

A moan, so loud we can hear it outside, comes from the other room.

“Alice will need some more medicine soon. This damn infection. She should have gotten tubes as a toddler, but Gray kept ignoring theproblem and every time Rebecca wanted to travel to see a specialist he found some way to stop them. I brought her here so we could be closer to the hospital if we needed it, even if that would have completely blown Rebecca’s cover. You should go back to your room.”

“You’ve been giving me the clues. You gave me the keys.”

She nods slowly. “It was me.”

“And that’s why you’re still here at the hotel? You’ve been watching me.”

“I’ve been back and forth between home and here. But I’m not just here for you. Rebecca wanted me to keep an eye on Veronica. She doesn’t trust her or Marsden.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know all the details. But I trust her gut.”

“Why did you go to that dinner out there? Why leave Alice?”

“I wanted to talk to you, figure out what you’re writing next. Also keep an eye on Veronica.”

Another moan.

“You should go.”

“Give me Rebecca’s new number.”

Katie reluctantly picks up a piece of paper and writes the digits down.

I stand and stare out into the distance. I want to go home and hold my own children. Grab them tight and devour them. Never let them go.

I head toward the door, but Katie stops me halfway.

“Be careful, Lizzie. I’m getting out of here with Alice before sunrise and I’m not coming back. I don’t know who murdered Grayson Sommers, but whoever did it wants us to believe it was Rebecca and I imagine they’re desperate right now. Be careful.”

I’m cross-eyed with exhaustion as I make my way to the elevator to reach my room. I don’t even see Veronica Smith until she’s right in front of me, blocking my path.

“Thank god you’re okay,” she says in a sultry purr. “I’ve been checking on everyone. And I have to give you this.”

She rifles through the leather bag slung over her shoulder. “Is this your phone? I only have two left.”

I snatch it from her greedily.

“How’s your sister?” I ask.

“Awake, thank god. I’m heading over there now.”

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