All the Lies (Lies & Truths 1)

I try to concentrate, but I find a blank page. Sighing, I shake my head.

“We already asked your friends and classmates. You were last seen at the Black Devils’ Friday night game.”

“Black Devils?” I look between him and Alexander.

The latter smiles. “Black Devils is the name of your college’s football team. You’re the captain of the cheerleading squad.”

Oh. Okay. I’m the captain of some devil cheerleaders. That totally makes sense.

No wonder I’ve been beaten up.

Also, cheerleading in college? How cliché can my life get? Kill me now, please.

“Do you remember who assaulted you, Miss Ellis?” Detective Daniels asks.

“No. I…I remember nothing prior to waking up in the hospital.”

“Think carefully.” The detective leans closer until his face is a few inches away from mine. “Your testimony could help solve an important case that occurred at the same time as your assault.”

“Detective.” Alexander’s voice hardens with a warning. “I told you Reina is suffering from retrograde amnesia. Don’t push her.”

“No.” I stop Alexander with a hand on his arm. “I want to help. What happened that night, detective?”

He narrows his eyes the same way Asher did when he seemed to not believe me. It’s like they think I’m building a persona or something.

“There was a fire in a cottage not far from where you were found. We retrieved ashes of human remains that were scattered all over the place. We’re investigating a homicide, Miss Ellis. Do you remember anything about what happened? Maybe you were there?”

My heart roars so loud as I focus on his words.

Human remains.

A homicide.

Oh, God.

“I-I don’t know.” Tears well in my eyes. “I really don’t—”

“Don’t answer that, Reina.” Alexander cuts off my jumbled words.

Detective Daniels pulls out a plastic bag containing a dainty bracelet. Then he retrieves a picture of me wearing a black and white cheerleading outfit with the same bracelet around my wrist. “We found this bracelet inside the burnt cottage, and we believe you do know something.”

“I…I don’t.” Or at least I don’t remember.

“That’s only circumstantial evidence, detective. No judge will give you a warrant for that.” Alexander speaks with a coolness that intimidates me even though he’s not addressing me. “Return with more concrete evidence. Until then, you will not harass my client or I’ll file a restraining order.”

Client?

“Very well.” The detective stands up, looking at me with a hardened expression. “We’ll be seeing each other again, Miss Ellis.”

He waves the bracelet in front of my face, and something inside me snaps.

That’s mine. He has no right to take what’s mine.

Before I can voice my thoughts, the detective saunters out of the room with the officers following close behind him.

“Never mind him, Reina.” Alexander faces me. “You’re safe.”

“He… Does he suspect me of murder?”