Detective Andrews steps out and Charlotte immediately stands and starts pacing.
“Just tell the truth,” I tell her, but she shakes her head no. “There’s no one on the other side of the mirror right now and there aren’t any cameras in here. You can speak to me.”
“Who would believe me?”
“Charlotte, relax. I know you’re freaking out, but they have no proof you were there the night she disappeared. Just tell them everything you know, and maybe they can find the real killer.”
“And how do I tell them I know all of those details, Ike? Maybe they can’t charge me for murder, but it would certainly look suspicious.”
“George will get my father and he’ll help.”
“I’m not using your dad for this, Ike. I can’t. Not when I’ve lied to your family about us and . . . you,” she finishes.
“Then it’s time for you to tell my father,” I state. Stepping in front of her, she stops pacing and meets my gaze. “He’ll believe you. I’ll make sure he does.”
She hangs her head and sighs. “I’m not sure I’m ready to do this.”
An hour later, my father strolls in the room and immediately takes Charlotte in his arms. “Are you all right, dear? George is fit to be tied out there worrying about you,” my father says.
When Charlotte pulls away, her eyes are filled with tears. “Thank you for coming, Mr. McDermott.”
“I told you to call me Henry. Now sit. Let’s get this mess sorted out.” He leads Charlotte to her seat before rounding the table and taking his own seat across from her, pulling out a large, yellow paper tablet from his briefcase.
“Did you tell George what this is about?” Charlotte winces with the question.
“You asked me not to, and everything we discuss will be confidential. I’ve spoken to Detective Andrews briefly. Now I’d like to hear your side of the story.”
Charlotte’s gaze flicks to me, and I nod in encouragement. “Henry, I know this is going to sound absurd, but I found Casey Purcell’s body under the Ukon Bridge and reported it.”
“Okay. Did you have anything to do with her death?” he asks.
“No! I swear!” she rushes to assure him.
“Just tell him the truth. He’ll believe you,” I assure her, and she clenches her eyes closed. When she opens them, she glances at me so briefly my father wouldn’t catch it, but the look was long enough to tell me she’s already apologizing for not telling him the truth.
“I was driving through Charlottesville and my truck felt like it was pulling funny. So I pulled over near the bridge and got out to check my tire. When I got out, I took my flashlight but it was raining that night, and I slipped and my flashlight went down the bank. So I crawled down after it, but couldn’t find it. That’s when I found Casey’s body.” Charlotte finishes her lie and avoids eye contact with me. She knows I’ll be upset she didn’t tell him the truth.
“Why didn’t you just go to the police?”
“Several reasons. I was scared. I didn’t want to be named as a witness or anything. I have a lot of tickets from throughout the years, and I was worried I’d get in trouble for those. I didn’t have any money to pay them.”
“You know how stupid that sounds, don’t you?” I say, and her lips flatten as if she’s mad.
Pushing the notepad toward her, my father says, “Write up a statement, and we’ll hand it over to the detective.”
She nods and takes the pad and pen and begins writing. When she’s done, my father hugs her tightly and assures her everything will be all right before he leaves to give it to the detective.
“I thought we agreed to tell him the truth.”
“We did,” she snaps. “But not right now. George is going through withdrawals. Let me get him through this and we’ll tell them.”
The room falls silent for a moment. She sits stiff as a board, her hands in her lap, staring straight ahead. “Are you all right, Charlotte?” I ask.
She smiles faintly. “What if they hate me for keeping the secret this long?”
“They won’t,” I promise. I know this without a doubt. They may be shocked at first, but they’ll believe her.
“It’s been so long since anyone has cared about me. I don’t want to lose them, Ike. And I don’t want to lose you.”
“You won’t,” I assure her. “You may not be able to see me once I go, but Charlotte, I’ll always be in your heart.” I place my hand to my chest in emphasis. “My family won’t turn you away either. You’re a part of us now. They won’t turn their backs on you. I swear it.”