Page 17 of The Inmate
There is a stubborn tilt to his jaw that’s pissing me off. Caleb is a decent, honest guy. I always thought that was agoodquality. Now I’m realizing it’s not necessarily a positive thing.
“Caleb…” The tears that had started to dry up spring back to my eyes. “This has been an awful day. Look, they’re probably not even going to ask you. But would it really be so awful to go along with my story?” Hesitation is in his eyes, and I squeeze his arm. “Please?”
After what feels like an interminable pause, his shoulders sag. “Fine. I guess it’s not that big a deal.”
I’m surprised by the rush of relief I feel when Caleb agrees to confirm my story. I mean, it’s not like I would be a murder suspect or something. But given everything, it’s better to have an alibi.
ChapterEight
SEVEN MONTHS EARLIER
To: Etsy Seller
From: Dawn Schiff
Subject: Problem with turtle figurine
Dear seller,
I recently purchased a product from your Etsy store advertised as a glass sea turtle figurine. Unfortunately, the product was not a sea turtle, and I would like a full refund.
Sincerely,
Dawn Schiff
To: Dawn Schiff
From: Etsy Seller
Subject: Re: Problem with turtle figurine
I’m so sorry to hear that, and we would like to try to make this right for you! What is the product you received?
To: Etsy Seller
From: Dawn Schiff
Subject: Re: Problem with turtle figurine
Dear seller,
As I stated, the product was advertised to be a glass sea turtle figurine. Unfortunately, the turtle I received was quite obviously a land turtle! Sea turtles have flippers instead of legs and the two front flippers are generally longer than the two back flippers, but the turtle I received had all four appendages of approximately equal length, and their legs did not in any way resemble flippers. Also, on the turtle I received, the head was slightly more circular rather than rectangular, which would indicate a land turtle as well. I am terribly disappointed, as I was hoping for a sea turtle, and I clearly received a land turtle.
Sincerely,
Dawn Schiff
To: Dawn Schiff
From: Etsy Seller
Subject: Re: Problem with turtle figurine
Is this a joke?
To: Mia Hodge
From: Dawn Schiff
