Page 61 of The Perfect Marriage

When I return my attention to the interrogation room, Sheriff Stevens is getting up to leave. Jesse appears relieved. A moment later, Sheriff Stevens enters the viewing room.

“That went better than I expected,” he says leaning against the wall.

“Are you just going to let him go? Is that it?”

I’m still torn between the text-conversation with Anne, the odd interaction with Deputy Hudson, and the interrogation I witnessed between Sheriff Stevens and Jesse.

“No. We’ll still test him. We have cause, and he’s here and as long as he’s cooperative, we can. He seems to be, so you don’t have to worry about that.”

I nod, not completely satisfied with that answer but at this point, I’ll take what I can get.

“Well, what do you think?” I close my notebook and look at Sheriff Stevens giving him my full attention.

“I think that Jesse doesn’t really know anything. I think he just had a bit of an intense crush on Kelly and that’s it. Did he like her? Yes. Was he close with her? No. But did he think he was close to her? Yes.”

“He was obsessed?”

“Most likely,” he answers.

“Did he say anything of value?”

“It doesn’t sound like it,” he says. “But we’re also testing his DNA, and if there’s a match between him and that third set of DNA, that’ll give us more insight and cause to hold him for more questioning.”

That answer makes me feel like I understand things again even if I don’t feel like I do. Something still doesn’t feel right.

“Do you need a ride home?”

“No,” I say. “How long until the DNA test comes back?”

“I’ll expedite it to the lab—twenty-four hours.”

“You’ll let me know right away?”

“Of course.” He nods.

I walk away trusting that he will. I’m not sure why he decided to help me suddenly when it seemed like he had given up on the case. What changed? Maybe he believes Jesse had something to do with Kelly’s death or maybe he thinks Jesse just might know something. It has to be Jesse. He has to be that third DNA set. No other man was mentioned by any witnesses Sheriff Stevens or I interviewed. Unless, of course, Kelly kept that third man a complete secret from everyone. Why though? Why him? She didn’t exactly hide Adam. Many in town knew about them. I hope the third set of DNA matches with Jesse. I’m tired of this wild goose chase, and I’m sick of not having all the answers. Now I have to put an end to whatever the fuck Adam is up to.

38

Adam Morgan

The scotch has stolen some of my memories. I hope I didn’t obtain some pertinent information from the phone calls I made because if I did, I’m not sure I’d remember it. I’ve decided to start on the last phone number I could recall making.

A sandwich and chips did me some good as well as a power nap. I’m starting to feel like myself again—and by that, I mean, hopeless and depressed—but definitely sobering up. I’m facing the death penalty. There isn’t much else I could feel. But I’m resisting the scotch for the time being.

I pick up the phone and begin dialing. The phone rings and rings and rings and just as the voicemail picks up, my front door swings open with a bang.

“Adam!” I don’t even need to see her to know it’s her. I could recognize that disappointed voice anywhere at any time.

I quickly hang the phone up and try to look nonchalant on the couch. Sarah enters the living room wide-eyed and angry.

Great. What did I do this time?It can’t have been any worse than having an affair and being on trial for the murder of my mistress. “Hey, honey,” I say with a bit of sarcasm.

I can tell by the look in her eyes, she sees me as no more than a problem, a client that has to be dealt with. What happened to the Sarah I encountered on Friday night? The love that was once there seems to have vanished, and I can’t blame her. Look at me, a scruffy, unkempt beard has taken residence on my face. I’m sure my bloodshot eyes have their bags packed. My hair is a mess, and I’m still in PJs and a robe. Plus, let’s not forget about the situation I’ve gotten us in.

“Don’t ‘hey, honey’ me,” she says pointing at me. “What’s with the redhead, the phone calls, and the ten thousand dollars you spent?” Her eyes narrow. Maybe she does care about me. She asked about the redhead first. Is she jealous? I haven’t seen her jealous in quite some time. She just might love me after all.

“I can explain all of those things,” I say putting my hands up.

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