Page 123 of Hot Knot Summer
“About the Pinecrest Cabin fire,” Zak continues. “What do you know about it?”
“Just that it burned down,” she says too quickly.
I tilt my head, studying her with the kind of focus I usually reserve for analyzing burn patterns. “So, did you find whatever you dropped on the front lawn of the cabin when I found you there?”
The color drains completely from her face. “I think I need a lawyer.”
“That’s your right,” Zak agrees. “But once you lawyer up, things get complicated. Makes you look guilty as hell. And you’re less likely to receive a bargaining deal from me. Right now, we’re just having a conversation. You help us understand what happened, and maybe we can help you avoid the worst of what’s heading your way.”
She blinks a lot, gnawing on the corner of her lower lip. She must know she’s completely fucked either way.
“There’s a café across the street,” she says finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “Can we... can we talk there?”
The café is one of those trendy places with exposed brick and furniture that resembles a vintage store explosion. We claim a corner table, and I notice Zak positions himself so he can see the whole room while I keep an eye on the exits.
Megan clutches her backpack like it’s a shield, her camera forgotten on the table between us. Up close, Ican see the fine stress lines around her eyes and the way her hands shake slightly as she reaches for her water. She looks like she’s about to bolt any second.
“I’ll help, okay?,” she says before Zak can even start. “But I’m not going to get in trouble for this. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Zak sets down his pen carefully. “I can’t promise you won’t face consequences, Megan. But cooperation can definitely lessen the severity of any charges. And if you’re covering for someone else, you need to ask yourself—would they do the same for you?”
She bites her lip, and I can practically see the wheels turning in her head.
“You were at the Pinecrest Cabin crime scene earlier in the week,” Zak continues. “Why?”
“I can’t...” She shifts uncomfortably, wrapping her arms around herself. “This is so fucked up.”
“Megan,” I say, letting steel creep into my voice. “I watched you pick through burned debris like you were searching for something specific. We’re way past pretending you weren’t there.”
Her face crumples slightly. “God, I never wanted to do this,” she whispers, and tears start forming in her eyes. “But he made me. Fucking Chad said if I did this one thing, he’d... he’d share everything fifty-fifty with me. But really...” She takes a shuddering breath. “Really, he threatened to leave me if I didn’t prove how much I loved him.”
My jaw tightens. Another woman manipulated bythat piece of shit. The pattern is becoming crystal fucking clear, and it’s making my blood boil.
“What were you searching for?” Zak presses gently.
She hesitates, glancing between us nervously. “A... a bag.”
“What kind?”
“A duffle bag,” she admits reluctantly.
The anger starts building in my chest like a wildfire. Every instinct I have is screaming that this is about to get so much worse.
“Whose bag?” I need to hear her say it.
“Chad’s.” She won’t meet my eyes. “Emma took it by mistake when she left for her vacation.”
“How did you get inside the cabin?” Zak asks.
“Technically, it wasn’t breaking in,” she says quickly, defensive. “The place was rented under Chad’s name, and he gave me permission to enter. He gave me the access code.”
“And you have proof of him giving you the access code?” Zak asks.
She nods and pulls out her phone, showing him the conversation. Zak quickly takes photos with his phone.
“What was so special about this duffle bag?” I ask, though I’m already dreading the answer.
She hesitates again, appearing genuinely distressed.
