Page 54 of The Perfect Divorce

She shrugs. “I don’t remember, whatever I said twelve years ago.”

I pull my lips in. This line of questioning is a dead end. If I’m being honest, this whole investigation is. It’s been too long, and the work that was done is a mess and mostly incomplete, thanks to Stevens. He didn’t even ask Sarah or Annewherethey were having drinks for Christ’s sake.

“Did you ever provide proof of your whereabouts or were they ever verified?” Olson asks.

“Besides a direct statement and an eyewitness account from an upstanding citizen with no criminal record?”

“Yes, do you have a receipt from any of the bars you were at that night?”

“Do I have a receipt from a bar that I was at twelve years ago?” Sarah rolls her eyes and begins to shake her head. “Unfortunately, I only save my receipts for eleven years.”

Olson presses on. “Were you aware that Adam was having an affair prior to the murder of Kelly Summers?”

“Do you think I would still have been married to him if I knew?”

“We understand that you have filed for divorce from your current husband, Bob Miller,” I say, changing the subject to what we’re really here for. “Is that correct?”

Sarah’s eyes flick to me, slightly tightening. “Yes, that’s correct.”

“Care to share the reason for your separation?” I ask.

“I’d prefer not to, but if you must know, Bob had an affair,” she says, lifting her chin and resituating herself in her seat.

“Do you know a woman named Stacy Howard?”

“Not personally, no, but I’m aware that’s the name of the woman my husband had an affair with,” Sarah says, holding my gaze.

“Can you tell us where you were last Monday night between the hours of five and ten?” I ask.

She’s quiet for a moment, thinking over her answer. “I was here at work until closer to six, then I went home and had dinner with Bob and my daughter. Afterward, I cleaned up, played with my daughter, read a little, and I was in bed by ten.”

“What time did Bob arrive?”

“Around seven thirty.”

“With your daughter?” Olson confirms.

“Yes. He picked her up from a friend’s house and drove her home,” she says.

“And what time did Bob leave?”

“Shortly after nine. Is there something I should know, Sheriff?” Sarah tilts her head.

“Stacy Howard was reported missing, and from our understanding, Bob may have been the last person to see her. Do you know if the two of them were still seeing each other?”

“I don’t know. You’d have to ask him,” she says.

“Bob stated he hadn’t seen Stacy in weeks, do you believe that?” Olson chimes in.

“I don’t believe anything my husband says.”

My radio crackles to life.Chhhhkkk.“Lieutenant Nagel for Sheriff Hudson, over.”

“Go for Sheriff Hudson.”

“Sir, we need you down at the salon on Center Street.”

“Why? What’s up?”