Page 52 of The Perfect Divorce

I move my mouth side to side, deciding what to say.

I can swing by today and drop it off.

If it’s no trouble. Otherwise, I can come by your place.

It’s fine. I’ll come to you.

Do you need my address?

Already got it.

Stalking me??? ;)

I literally gave you the keys to your apartment...

There are two soft knocks on my office door before it clicks open and Natalie, the foundation’s receptionist, pokes her head in. “Sarah, sorry to bother you, but there are two police officers asking to speak with you.”

I keep my composure while trying to think of all the reasons they’d be here. I know Bob’s been up to something, but would he involve the police any more than they already are? He wouldn’t be that stupid, would he? There’s also the reopening of the Kelly Summers investigation. I know they have to reinterview everyone, but I figured that would be much more formal, like setting up a time for me to come down to the station. Regardless of why they’re here, I can’t turn them away.

“Go ahead and send them in, Natalie.”

She nods and disappears from the doorway. Letting out a heavy sigh, I sit up straight in my chair and stretch my neck from side to side, cracking it in the process.Let’s get this over with.

TWENTY-NINE

SHERIFF HUDSON

The Morgan Foundation receptionist scurried off a couple minutes ago to see if Sarah was available to speak with us. I told her we’re willing to wait, no matter how long it takes. I need answers, and I can’t afford to come back another time to get them. Olson and I decided to show up at her office rather than bring her in for questioning because we figured she might be a little more forthcoming if the visit was less formal and on her own turf. The elevator dings, and the doors open behind us. I turn to find a man dressed in khakis and a button-down. His eyes widen when he looks up from his phone, noticing our presence. He forces a tight smile and a quick nod before speed-walking past us. This isn’t an uncommon reaction when we show up somewhere unannounced, which is exactly why I wanted to arrive unannounced. Sarah always has all the right answers, and the last thing I want to do is give her time to prepare even more perfect ones.

“Think she’s going to make us wait?” Olson asks.

“No, they never do.”

In my experience, people want us gone as quickly as possible. Two fully kitted-up cops standing in the middle of an office for a long time only makes things more uncomfortable for everyone. It just fuels gossip and theories as to why we’re here.

The receptionist returns and waves for us to follow her. “Sarah can see you now,” she says. “Would either of you care for a beverage?”

“No,” I say.

“I’m good,” Olson adds.

“Are you sure? We have coffee, bottled water, tea, and kombucha. We also have beer, wine, and prosecco on tap.”

Olson and I shake our heads but exchange an envious look. We don’t have that type of beverage selection down at the station. It’s Folgers or water from the drinking fountain. Guess we’re on the wrong side of the justice business.

We weave our way through the large open-concept office, around desks, tables, and even sitting areas with ridiculous ball-shaped chairs. The layout and décor are more fitting to a tech company than a nonprofit. Heads pop up from laptop screens as employees do a double take upon seeing two uniformed officers waltz through their workspace.

The receptionist knocks lightly on Sarah’s office door and then outstretches an arm, directing us inside. Sarah doesn’t acknowledge us when we enter and instead keeps her eyes on her computer screen, typing away. Unlike the rest of her employees, she’s unfazed by our appearance here—or at least she’s pretending to be.

She beckons us farther into her office with a wave of her hand, eyes still on her monitor. “Please sit down,” Sarah says, pointing to the two chairs positioned in front of her desk.

The receptionist closes the door behind her.

“Sarah, this is Chief Deputy Olson,” I say as we take our seats.

She finally pulls her eyes from her screen and looks to Olson and then at me. “Nice to meet you, Chief Deputy Olson, and nice to see you again, Sheriff Hudson.”

We nod and return the greeting.

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