Page 107 of Second Chance

“And it was in one of these states that she attacked Professor Lawrence?” Taylor asks.

For a moment, no one answers, and Tony realizes he still doesn’t know how the actual murder happened.

Gianna volunteers. “From what Lily said before, I think what happened is she went to Professor Lawrence’s office to try to get her to agree to accepting last year’s coursework for a grade. She probably didn’t mean it to be a big deal or anything, but she got nervous. Sean—the boyfriend—gave her tips on what to say, but something went wrong. When Professor Lawrence didn’t agree, something happened, and Lily… She mentioned the knife, but it was like she didn’t remember doing it.”

Taylor raises an eyebrow. “Professor Lawrence was stabbed four times.”

Abruptly, Emilio gets up and goes into the kitchen.

Tony winces and makes to stand, but Lisa puts a hand on his elbow. “Let me. You don’t need me for this.”

It’s a fair point, so he lets her go.

“Lily is definitely sure it’s her fault,” Daniel says. “She kept saying it was and waving the gun around. I have no idea where she even got it.”

“Sean’s family hunts.” Gianna’s lips twist in disapproval. “I’m sure that’s where she got the knife as well.”

“If she’s been using drugs regularly, especially combining them, it definitely affected her ability to make choices,” Blake throws in. “It could also be affecting her memory, although trauma affects memory as well, so who knows. I doubt she had a fully worked-out plan. In my professional opinion, she’s not in any state to complete a premeditated crime, but I don’t know why she went after Daniel either.”

Daniel shrugs. “I’m her adviser. She’d been talking to me about how scared she was and how bad she was feeling. She probably thought I knew more than I did.”

Taylor nods slowly. “All right, then. Lily’s sleeping?”

Blake nods. “She’s crashing hard. I’d like to get her to a hospital and, ideally, into treatment with a psychiatrist who can wean her off the Xanax and onto something less addictive.”

“She trusts you,” Taylor says. It’s not quite a question.

“She trusts Gianna. Me by proxy.”

“We’re going to need a police presence at the hospital. She’ll want familiar faces with her.” Taylor turns to Gianna. “And you should be the one to ask her if she wants to do a rape kit.” The detective is blunt about it, and the words are a heavy, leaden weight in the room.

“She took a shower before,” Gianna says. “We kept her clothes, but—”

“She can still get the kit done, but it might not be as conclusive. Put the clothes in a plastic bag and keep them as evidence. If she wants to submit it, she can. She doesn’t have to press charges, but if she gets the kit done, it will be easier. Still can’t promise anything, especially if he was on drugs too.”

The detective drains her cup of coffee. “I will leave you this. When you get yourselves involved in a criminal investigation, at least you get competent help.”

Blake’s chest puffs out ever so slightly. Tony’s going to have to start taking him seriously now.

“In your opinion, is the boyfriend a threat?” Taylor asks. She doesn’t seem to be asking anyone in particular. Daniel makes a doubtful face, while Colette shakes her head minutely.

Tony snorts.

Detective Taylor’s laser focus turns to him.

“Sorry. I just get the impression he’s mostly an idiot.”

“Yup,” Gianna agrees. “He’s obnoxious as shit, and the drugs are concerning, but as far as I know, he’s not a big-time dealer or anything.”

“Hm. Miss Peterson didn’t seem like a threat either, did she?”

Tony winces.

“If he’s where she got both the drugs and the weapons,” Taylor continues, “he’s at least an accessory of some sort.”

“I’m sure the college can tell you where to find him,” Daniel says. “His dorm or address will be on file.” He sounds utterly resigned to yet another student whose life will be ruined by the fallout from Mario.

Colette pulls out her phone again. Tony tries to lean in to see what she’s doing, but she angles the screen away before he can catch more than Sean’s name at the top of the screen. It doesn’t matter. He knows it’s a warning. Daniel must have really gotten to her. Now, she’s following his example of the overly attached mentor.

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