Page 28 of Summer Shivers
I know Tyler is doing what he can to prove I didn’t do this. But when each new bit of uncovered information ends with me betrayed by Harrison, I don’t always trust that I didn’t. What if I found out something else he’d done, and I’ve pushed it to the bottom of my subconscious, then allowed myself to kill him and go back to bed as if all were normal. Ty said I’m still in shock with everything and my mind is not remembering everything it should. Anything that can help has been pushed to the back, because all I can think about is the moment I found him.
I don’t know if Ty believed me when I told him I never knew there were TV monitors in the safe room, or cameras around the house. Not that I blame him. It seems pretty farfetched that I wouldn’t know those things.
I know Harrison had cameras at the front door, the backyard, and any entrances coming into the house. I just didn’t know there were cameras looking into every room of the house as well.
That doesn’t make sense to me. By the time someone got in, we’d already have them on the outside cameras, right? I honestly thought the safe room had loads of other important paperwork that he just didn't want anyone else to get their hands on.
Makes me wonder what else was Harrison hiding from me.
I thought we were open with one another. Maybe he didn't want to tell me about the cameras because then I wouldn't be able to walk around the house so freely. Or do anything so freely. The last thing I wanted was to have sex with Harrison knowing it was being filmed.
Even thinking about the cameras around the house makes me feel weird. Part of me wonders if he put them there because he thought I’d do the same thing Sarah did to him. Cheat.
I was surprised when Tyler told me that Sarah had come to the house. Why would she be coming to a crime scene when she knows she shouldn't be there? He told me about their conversation, and the things she was saying about me, but he never told me about his meeting with Martin. He’s not hiding things from me, is he? Or am I just paranoid now that I know Harrison hid so much that I think everyone is capable of it.
If he is hiding something from me, what would it be?
Stop it, Genevieve.
I remind myself things are going well with Ty. And I don’t need to sabotage that by thinking he doesn’t have my best interest at heart. He’s done nothing to make me doubt him. Just the opposite. As crazy as it is, I’ve loved having Ty around. He makes me feel safe. And I don’t think I’ve felt safe in a while.
* * *
We drive in silence for about thirty minutes, then he pulls up at his friend's house. I’d almost forgotten how good it felt to wrap my body around Ty’s from the back of his bike. By the time we stop, my body is still tingling. We walk in and Tyler introduces me to the criminal defense attorney he believes will take my case.
“This is Martin. We're going to tell him everything that happened and see what he says.”
I can feel him coaching me, so I nod and look at the man who could be my savior. Immediately, I’m aware of how much this matters and how much I worry I’ll mess this up.
Before I speak, Martin turns to Tyler. “That’s mighty polite of you, implying I have a choice, since we both know I owe you.”
My brow furrows. This is clearly some inside joke or secret. I don’t expect anyone to tell me anything, but Martin looks at me and shares.
“I was about to get married. I was so in love there was no talking me into a prenup. So this guy…” He jerks his thumb toward Tyler. “…goes and checks her out behind my back without asking for a penny.”
“I had a feeling.” Tyler shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Of course, I didn't charge you for that.”
As I look around at his opulent home, I realize Martin has plenty to lose. “Tyler is a good friend,” I murmur.
“Better than I deserve. I didn’t even want to look at the pile of evidence stacked against her. The cheating. The drug use. The third husband who had a fatal accident. It was like I never knew her at all. I owe this man big time. Which is why we both know I’m taking the case.” He stares me in the eyes. “And why do I tell you this?”
Swallowing hard, I reply, “So, I feel comfortable telling you everything.”
With a nod, Martin glances at Tyler. “Smart cookie. Let’s see if she’s as honest.” He gestures to the chair across from his desk in the study. I’m assuming we’re in his office away from the office. I half expect a paralegal to pop in any minute.
“Tyler believes you’re innocent, and for me, that’s enough.” He looks at Tyler. “Maybe most importantly, my debt to him is repaid.” The men shake and I realize we have a deal.
“I’ll let the district attorney know that I’m your lawyer if they decide they have enough evidence to arrest you. I know a little about your case because, obviously, it has been all over the news for the last twenty-four hours. And I reviewed the police report with Ty last night. Your husband was a well-known and wealthy man. Didn’t appear to have too many people who’d want to kill him, far as I can tell. I want to hear your version of events. Tell me what they aren’t reporting.” He walks around his large brown desk and sits down in his leather chair.
Tyler takes a seat beside me and gives me the nod to speak.
Taking a deep breath, I tell Martin everything I had told Tyler while we were having coffee. Until we get to the fight the night before Harrison died.
What if this man really can help me?
He’s already encouraged me to be honest.
What if I continue the lie I started with the police and reaffirmed with Ty?
