Page 29 of Stand By You
“She looks wonderful,” Jillian said, getting a good look at Geneva for the first time in four years. “She’s gained weight, there are no dark circles under eyes. Her hair has a natural luster. She looks like she did in her photos before she got hooked on the pain medication. Maybe she really has kicked it this time.”
Nick reached for her right hand and gave it a squeeze, and she smiled at him. “That would be good for Travis.”
“Yes, it would.”
The scraping noise as Simons pulled out the chair opposite from Geneva at the table and sat drew their attention to the interrogation room. He placed a folder in front of him but didn’t open it. “Can you tell me if you go by Ms. McGinty still or something else?”
“I’ve resumed using my maiden name,” she said. “It’s Reyes.”
“Okay. Ms. Reyes, can you tell me where you were yesterday, all day?” Simons began. “We’d just like to have a timeline for our records. Tell me what you did yesterday.”
Geneva was silent for a moment, then placed her hands on the table in front of her, fingers splayed apart. “I started my day as normal yesterday. I had breakfast then went to my counselling session with my addiction counselor Dr. Virginia Bell. I can provide you with her information if you want it. She’sbeen the first therapist who has been able to help me in all my attempts at getting sober. And I am truly thankful. I feel human again.”
“Afterward I met my parents for a leisurely lunch at the Miami Yacht Club,” Geneva continued. She sat back in her chair and played with her double strand pearl necklace, running her thumb and forefinger over the glossy pearls. “Mom and I went shopping afterward while dad and a few of friends went fishing. Later we were invited for cocktails with Mayor Suarez and his wife Gloria–being in recovery, I didn’t drink of course– then dinner at Ariete.” She looked all innocent in her expensive René Alta ensemble. He only knew the designer because his wife was gushing all the time over the woman’s clothes wishing she could afford them, even on clearance.
Geneva smiled at him and bit her lower lip, shrugging her shoulders. “Do you know them, detective? I only ask because my parents sold them their vacation home in Boca.”
Simons didn’t even bat an eye. “You won’t mind if I verify your being at the Yacht Club with Roberto? Or even at Ariete with Michele? I too have my connections.”
“Of course,” she said, fluttering her lashes at him.
“One more question, when was the last time you spoke to your divorce attorney?” Simons asked.
Surprise parted Geneva’s lips and confusion replaced her earlier arrogance. Shrugging, she said, “I don’t know. Probably when I contacted her a year or so after the divorce when I got out of rehab and wanted to try to get the custodial rights ruling overturned. She told me that with all my previous failures at rehab, no judge would hear my case, let alone overturn it, until I had been clean and sober for five or more years.”
“Ha,” Kohl said softly. “All mama and daddy’s money couldn’t buy her what she wanted most. Spoiled bitch.”
Geneva looked down at her hands and curled her fingers back toward her palms.
Simons finally opened the folder in front of him and showed her an array of pictures of the two guys who had abducted Travis. “Do you recognize either of these young men?”
She looked at him as if his questions puzzled her and then at the photos. “Should I?”
“Just take a good look and see if you recognize them.”
“I don’t. I have never seen either of them before,” she said. “Honest.”
He took the photos back and returned them to the folder. “Thank you.”
“Who are they?” she asked.
“They are possibly persons of interest,” Simons said getting up from the table.
“Thank you for coming in and answering my questions. If I need anything further I’ll be in touch, Ms. Reyes.”
“Should I be concerned? Am I in danger?” she asked.
“Has someone threatened you?” Simon’s voice was flat and neutral.
“What does Nathan have to say about this?” she demanded her eyes welling up with tears. “Or does he even care? I’m sure he hasn’t even returned from his damned honeymoon.”
Nick elbowed Jillian and whispered, “How’d she know about that?”
Jillian shrugged. “I haven’t a clue. I don’t know if Mr. McGinty was in touch with her before his wedding or not.”
“It wasn’t my fault I got addicted to pain pills! I was in a car wreck, and it messed up my back badly. You don’t know what it’s like…But I’ve been sober now for fourteen months and I would be a good mother is someone would just give me a chance!”
“I’ll show you out,” Simons said, opening the door to the interrogation room for her.
