Page 62 of The Perfect Marriage

“Then explain.” She sits on the loveseat and crosses one leg over the other.

“Okay, the redhead: her name is Rebecca. She’s a reporter—”

“A reporter? You’re talking to a reporter? You do know you’re on trial for murder and the death penalty is on the table?”

“I understand that, Sarah—more than anyone.” I grit my teeth. This right here is my problem with Sarah, she treats me like I’m an idiot. What does she expect me to say to that?Oh, damn. Thanks for reminding me. I completely forgot that I’m on house arrest pending my trial.

“Do you actually understand that?” It’s clearly a rhetorical question.

“She’s helping me.”

“She’s a reporter. You’re just a story, and you don’t even know this woman. I have jury selection happening right now, and the last thing I need is anything in the media swaying them. You’re lucky the media dug up Kelly’s past because that’s been good for you in terms of public opinion. But one more story that paints you in an unflattering light will destroy that. Do you understand?”

“Rebecca and I have an agreement. She’s going to put my side of the story out, and I’m paying her to help me with my investigation.” I sit forward and place my elbows on my knees.

“My investigation? What the hell is that supposed to mean? There is one investigation happening, and that’s Jesse Hook. What is it that you think you’re doing, Adam?” She bounces her foot up and down and readjusts her skirt. Her face becomes flushed, and she lets out an exasperated sigh. I know my meddling is bothering her because she thinks she knows best, and I used to believe that, but now I’m not sure.

“Who’s Jesse Hook?”

“Exactly. You have no idea what’s happening with your own case. That’s the problem,” she says with a bit of bite in her voice.

“I’m cooped up in this house. I can’t leave. Therefore, if you don’t tell me anything, I don’t know anything, and when I don’t know anything, I look for everything,” I narrow my eyes at her.

“Is that a threat?”

“Why would you take that as a threat?” I’m bewildered by her question and her change of tone. She shifts uncomfortably in her seat and then straightens out her pristine outfit.

“No. Never mind.” She gets up, picks up the box she brought over the other night and tosses it on the coffee table. “This is what you should be focusing on. I brought you everything.”

“Who’s Jesse Hook?”

She lets out a huff. “Jesse Hook used to frequent Seth’s Coffee. A co-worker of Kelly’s said he was obsessed with her and made Kelly uncomfortable, so we’re looking into him.”

“And?”

“We’re testing his DNA. He just might be a match to that third set found in Kelly. Sheriff Stevens questioned him about an hour ago. I was there but got a little distracted. I’ll review the tape of the interview.”

“That’s great to hear you were distracted while working on my case,” I say sarcastically.

“Yeah, it’s you that was distracting me. The redhead. The money. The phone calls. Will you please finish explaining that to me?” Her voice is laced with anger and annoyance.

“Like I said, Rebecca is helping me look into the family of Kelly’s first husband. I think that part of her life is to blame for her death.” I get up and pour myself a glass of scotch.

“That’s a dead end,” Sarah says pointedly.

“Why? Did you even look into that?”

“I believe the police did and that wholesomeone from her past came back and got their revengejust doesn’t seem plausible.”

“You ‘believe the police did?’ I would hope my attorney is not defending this case based on beliefs.” I slam my drink and get myself another. I can’t deal with her right now. She believes… since when did beliefs win cases. I need facts. I need evidence. What the hell is she doing?

“You know what I mean, Adam.”

“Clearly, I don’t,” I challenge. Is she even fighting for me or does she know this is a lost cause? Did she throw in the towel the second she took this case? Is there no hope for me? I sit back down taking large gulps of scotch. The burning in my throat is the only thing that reminds me I’m still alive. The rest of me feels nothing.

“Weren’t you the one convinced Scott had something to do with Kelly’s death, and now you’re convinced that someone from her past did? Which is it?”

“Scott said he never hurt Kelly and I think I believe him. Based on that, maybe he didn’t have anything to do with it?”

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