That didn’t take him long to discover.
“Were you friends yesterday?” he presses.
“I’d like to think so. People fall away after college. They move on, get married, have a family.” I consider this a moment, then: “A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself.”
“What…? Emerson? Nietzsche?”
“Morrison. Jim.”
This actually gets a smile from him. “Why did you visit the victim yesterday?”
Two slow breaths. “I’d seen that Cam had moved to West Melbourne, and that she was expecting. I wanted to catch up with my college friend while in town.”
If my phone or computer records are subpoenaed, he’ll see where I looked up Cam’s social media profile.
He makes a note. “What time did you arrive at the Ortega residence?”
The questioning goes on like this for a few minutes, where he gathers the facts. He repeats the questions, changing up the order and phrasing. A deliberate tactic to make me slip.
But I have nothing to hide; I answer honestly. Until he asks me the one question that makes me hesitate.
“Ms. Hale?” he says, and reiterates the question. “Did you notice anyone else near the residence yesterday?”
The supply room door opens. Rhys walks in, escorted by an officer.
Detective Vale stands. “Why is he here?” He directs this question to the cop in a blue uniform.
“I’m Ms. Hale’s representation,” Rhys says as he takes up my side.
“You know you can’t do that,” Detective Vale says.
For the first time, the detective and I are in agreement.
I look up at Rhys in question, demanding an explanation in our silent code.
“I’ve never officially practiced,” Rhys says, planting his hands on the table. “But I have the degree to back it up. From this point on, Ms. Hale will have council present during a
ny interviews.”
Detective Vale looks dejected about this development, but he takes his seat, resuming the interrogation. “I’m making some calls. This better check out.”
“It will,” Rhys assures him.
I sit in stunned silence. Why didn’t he tell me?
My initial reaction is anger. I feel betrayed. Rhys has always been adamant about being truthful…but in retrospect, that was directed toward me, to open up about my past for my case.
Anger is a defensive reaction to the source. The truth is, I’m hurt.
How much about one another do we really know? Other than our cases, we don’t see each other outside of work. I don’t have much of a social life in Missouri. And because I’m guarded, I haven’t ventured to know anything about him other than he was terminated from fieldwork.
“Do I need to repeat the question?” Detective Vale says.
Rhys kneels beside me so that we’re level. He gives me an apologetic smile, but one that says now’s not the time—we need to get through this first.
I nod, then direct my attention on Vale. “Yes.”
“Did you notice anyone around the Ortega residence yesterday?”