Page 79 of What We May Be

“Tracy alibied out,” Abel said by way of greeting.

Sean had texted her that Tracy was on Trevor’s lists too, and they were running down her whereabouts at the time of Craig’s murder. “She was on shift last night?”

“Accounted for all night. Got off at six this morning and went straight to the funeral home. Wasn’t her in the video.”

She leaned back in her seat, staring at the roof and silently cursing another dead end. “So either she had an accomplice, or she’s not involved.”

“If Beth was also an accomplice, that’d be three people involved,” Abel said. “That’s stretching it, sugar.”

“Charlie,” Marsh said, gesturing out the windshield. “We may have a situation here.”

Glancing forward, Charlie spotted her sister approaching the gravesite and Tracy cutting through the crowd toward her. “Abel, we gotta go.” She ended the call and slung open her door, Marsh exiting on the other side. They hustled to where Tracy and Annie stood arguing at the edge of the crowd. Charlie picked up speed when Tracy grabbed Annie’s arm and gave her a violent shake. “Tracy!” Charlie shouted. “Let her go.”

“Oh, perfect.” Tracy shoved Annie away as her gaze swung to Charlie. “You’re here too. You Henbys can’t leave well enough alone, can you?”

Charlie curled an arm around her trembling sister’s shoulders. Despite the tragedy that had befallen Tracy, Charlie had never been angrier with her than she was right then, not even after what she’d done to Trevor. “Marsh and I are here as part of the investigation, in case your husband’s killer makes an appearance. My sister is here because she’s your friend. And this is how you treat her? Manhandling her and embarrassing her in front of half the town?”

“Charlie, it’s okay,” Annie whispered at her side.

“No, it’s not. All you’ve ever tried to be is a good friend—”

“Bullshit,” Tracy spat, and Annie flinched against Charlie’s side. “She was only friends with me to stay close to Trevor and then after as a spy for you.”

“Annie has never said a bad word about you, not even after the divorce.”

“I haven’t, Trace,” Annie said. “I promise. I’m your friend too.”

“I don’t believe either one of you.” Tracy took a menacing step forward, and Charlie shuffled in front of Annie, Marsh at her side.

“Fine, don’t believe us,” Charlie said. “But when you wake up tomorrow or ten days from now and realize you’ve lost one of the best friends you’ll ever have, do not come looking for my sister. I don’t want someone like you around her anymore.”

“Charlie.” Annie squeezed her hand. “Let’s go.”

“Do I make myself clear?” Charlie said, her eyes still locked with Tracy’s.

Tracy sneered. “Crystal.”

“Good.” She turned her back on Tracy and the onlookers they’d drawn, gathered Annie to her side again, and headed away from the gravesite.

“I was just trying to be a good friend.” Annie leaned into her. “Tell her I’m sorry.”

“I know, sweetie, but you’ve got nothing to be sorry for.”

“Get her home,” Marsh said when they reached the walkway that would take them to the cruiser or Annie’s car out front. “I’ll keep watch here.”

“Thank you,” Charlie said as she handed off the cruiser keys. “For more than just today. I’m glad Sean has a friend like you.”

* * *

Charlie waved her thanks to the officers in the cruiser that had tailed her to Annie’s then to the station. She’d hated having to leave her sister so quickly, Annie still shaken from the altercation with Tracy, but Sean had texted that Beth Martin was at the station, attorney in tow. As they were already pushing the limits on holding and transporting her, Charlie couldn’t delay.

She strode across the bullpen toward the conference room but was intercepted halfway by Trevor’s “Charlie!” Before she could blink, he was right there in front of her, arms circling her waist and drawing her into his embrace. “Thank fuck you’re okay.”

She returned the hug. “I’m fine, babe.”

He drew back enough to frame her face with his hands. “Annie?”

“Tracy caused a scene.” She smoothed her fingers over his forehead before it got too wrinkled with anger. “Annie’s shaken but home safe.” His heartbeat slowed a little beneath her other hand on his chest. “How are you?”

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