Page 84 of Homecoming

“As I said at the outset, my wife isn’t part of this story, and anyone who makes her part of it won’t get another word from me. Thanks for coming by. I’d appreciate you clearing out now.”

Dan was muttering under his breath when he stepped into the kitchen to find Kara standing next to an open window that she leaned in to close now that the show was over.

“Still my hero,” she said.

“Some of them are such bottom-feeders.”

“Thank you for not giving them anything to chew on, and well done on the introduction of reasonable doubt. I’m starting to see how this works.”

“We’ll be hammering home the alternative scenarios until these bogus charges are dropped.” His phone rang with a call from the Bar Harbor Police Department. “Dan Torrington.”

“I saw your little presser and the not-so-subtle dig at the investigation.”

“Was it subtle, Detective? I didn’t intend it to be. The investigation has been nonexistent, or you’d know that your eyewitness has been looking for retribution from the Ballard family and their business in court for years and has yet to see a dime of the money he thinks they owe him after he was fired for cause. Were you aware that there’s a civil trial pending in December?”

“I was not aware of that.”

“Well, now you are. Did you know Tanya was having trouble getting rid of a boyfriend she broke up with months ago?”

“Her parents mentioned that.”

“And you’re looking into where he was last Friday night?”

“I’m working my way through a number of things, and that’s one of them.”

“I want my client released on bail pending the preliminary hearing.”

“That’s not my call. It’s up to the AG’s office.”

“If you recommend he be released on bail due to the incomplete investigation, I’m sure that’ll carry some weight.”

“I’ll talk to them, but I can’t promise anything. It’s also up to the judge. In the meantime, if you could refrain from undermining my investigation?—”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. An innocent man has been charged with murder. He’s never met the victim or had any direct contact with her. I’m sure you and the state police thought you had an open-and-shut case here, but that’s not at all what I’m finding.”

“You’ve made your point, Counselor. I’ll speak to the AG’s office. That’s all I can do.”

“Thank you. I’ll look forward to hearing from you or them ASAP. Have a good evening.”

“You, too.”

“Well, you just made his day,” Kara said, smiling widely. “That was a master class you just put on there. That detective didn’t stand a chance against you.”

“He’s overworked and understaffed, like many small-town departments are. I don’t blame the state police for jumping on eyewitness testimony along with other witnesses confirming she’d been with Keith that evening. There’s also the matter of his DNA being found on the body. It’ll be a stretch for them to let him out, but hopefully, we’ll get somewhere with Kirby.”

Kara linked her arms around his neck and went up on tiptoes to kiss him. “Thank you so much for everything you’re doing. I feel so much better knowing you’re on the case.”

“We’ve still got a long way to go, but I like our chances a little better than I did at first.” He glanced at the clock on the stove. “And now I’ve got to go meet with that other reporter to sow more reasonable doubt.”

“I want you to know… I’ve always been impressed by your career. Not too impressed, mind you, because your ego is always a concern.”

“Of course,” he said, smiling.

“But seeing you work up close has been a real revelation. I’m wildly impressed.”

“Wildly, you say?”

“Mmm, extremely wildly.”

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