Page 40 of Spark
“Like, how serious?”Esme asked warily.
Chloe paused for a deep breath, but kept a firm hold on Esme’s eye contact.“A couple of days ago, the police got the forensic results from the crime scene investigation at the warehouse.DNA matching the man you identified was found at the scene.”
Esme’s eyes widened.“So, wait.You got him?Like, he was arrested?”
Chloe winced, and oh, this was going to go over like a brick.“No.The police executed a search warrant, first, to try to find enough evidence to lock the case up, but last night, there was a fire at the lab where the police department tests and stores forensic evidence.That’s why Tyler is here with me.He’s a rescue squad firefighter.”
“Wait, I thought you said he was a friend.”Esme shot Tyler a look of distrust, but he kept his expression relaxed.
“I am.I’ve known Chloe since high school.But I’m also a firefighter.I was one of the first people to respond to the fire at the forensic lab last night.”
No brownie points for that.Esme’s arms remained crossed over the front of her T-shirt.“And this has what to do with me, exactly?”
This time, Chloe didn’t pause.“The fire did a lot of damage.The investigation is ongoing, so we don’t know the extent of it all yet, but there’s a chance the kit containing Leo Navarro’s DNA was destroyed.”
“So, what does that mean?Is he…wait, he’s not going free, is he?”Esme’s chin snapped up in realization as reality clicked into place.“He totally killed that guy.Isawhim.Hedidit!”
“I know, Esme,” Chloe said, clearly meaning it.“And the Intelligence Unit is going to do every single thing they can to make sure he’s charged for it.”
“No way.”Esme shook her head, her mouth pressing into a hard line.“You don’t believe that will happen.Otherwise, why would you bring some firefighter guy with you and pull me out of class to tell me what’s going on instead of just texting me like a normal person?”
Chloe didn’t blink.“Because I’m your advocate.Part of my job is to tell you exactly what’s going on.Just because there was a fire doesn’t mean we stop working on the case.”
“But,” Esme supplied, and here, Chloe gave up a microscopic wince before ripping off the Band-Aid.
“But,if the DNA was destroyed, then there’s no evidence to prove he was at that crime scene other than your testimony, and it might not be enough.”
Tyler saw the second it landed.“No.Uh-uh.No,”Esme bit out, her shoulders ratcheting up around her neck.“I saw him murder someone, and you’re telling me that even if I testify, he could just walk free?He’d kill me!”
“He won’t?—”
“You don’t know that,” Esme barreled on.“You didn’t even tell me therewasany DNA evidence.You’ve known for days!And now, it could be wrecked and this guy could be out there forever.”
“You’re absolutely right.”Chloe stood and took a half-step toward her.“I didn’t tell you about the DNA evidence when it came in, and I should have.None of us ever thought anything would happen to the evidence.”
“But it did!”Esme cried.“You said you were on my side.You said you were here for me, and you didn’t even tell me what was happening, and now, this guy is going to get away with what he did.”
“Look, I know you’re scared?—”
“No.”Esme shot Chloe a look loaded with an army of emotions, her eyes glittering.“You don’t.You’re saying the evidencemighthave been destroyed and Imightstill have to testify, and itmightnot be enough, but you don’tknowanything other than what you told me isn’t true anymore.God, I never should have trusted you!”
Chloe flinched, and some dark, immovable feeling pushed words past Tyler’s lips before his brain had even given him a head’s up that he’d speak.“Do you want the facts?”
Well, at least that got everyone’s attention.“What?”Esme asked.
“You said we don’t know anything”—he spared a lightning-fast glance at Chloe, who didn’t look thrilled but also didn’t tell him to shut his trap, so he kept going—“but that’s not true.Therearethings we know for sure, and even though you might be too pissed off to realize it right now, Chloe is on your side.We both are.”
“Yeah, okay.Whatever.”Esme rolled her eyes.Tyler might not know much (okay.Next to nothing) about teenagers, but he did know that the word “whatever” roughly translated to “screw you”.
Which was exactly what had his next words free-flowing out.“You know, I’d get it if you don’t believe I’m on your side.That’s fair.You don’t even know me, and I don’t know you.But Chloe fought to come here and tell you what’s happening so you’re not in the dark.”
“So, what, I’m just supposed to take your word for it?”Esme asked, her challenge unmistakable.“Why should I trust either one of you?”
Tyler went with the only thing he could: the truth.“Because we’re here.We could’ve waited to tell you about the fire, or not told you at all, if the evidence turns out to still be viable.But Chloe wanted you to know what was going on even though she knew you’d be upset, because she’s acting in your best interest, and she’s right.Telling you is only fair.Look, you don’t have to trust me.I can even leave, if you want me to.But Chloe isn’t lying to you.She’s got your back.At least give her the chance to prove it.”
One heartbeat.Then another.One more, and finally, Esme said, “Ugh,fine.I’m listening.But I want the truth—allof it—so don’t leave anything out.”
Chloe didn’t.Starting from the beginning, she recapped everything they knew so far.Tyler filled in some of the details about the fire itself and how the investigation would proceed, and by the time all the details were out, Esme’s death grip on her rib cage had loosened, if only by a fraction.
