Page 75 of Buried in the Woods Below

“Unusual?” You mean besides the marks on his face?

“Yeah, unusual. Unfamiliar people or vehicles. Any strange interactions? Disputes?” As he asks, the detective’s eyes crinkle with empathy. He’s a kind man.

“No.”

He nods but holds my gaze. He sees something in my eyes I don’t want him to see.

“I’d like to ask you about the day of the crime. Did you see or hear from them yesterday?”

“Yes.”

“Can you tell me about that?”

“Sure. Eric and I went for a walk after dinner along the trail that runs along the shore, and we saw them outside having drinks around the fire.”

“What time was that?”

“I’m not sure exactly, but roughly around ten p.m.”

“Did you speak to them?”

“No, we turned around and went home.”

“Was there anyone else with them?”

My head throbs as I picture my mother with Vivek and Freida. Her voice raised, finger pointing in his face. I consider saying no, but lying will only make it worse.

“Yes, actually, my mother was with them.”

His eyebrows jump to his hairline. “Your mother?”

“Yes.”

He slides forward in his chair and leans closer to me, so that our faces are inches apart. “Was she friends with the Adwanis?”

“No, she was there on business.”

“What kind of business?”

“It’s a long story.”

“I’ve got time.” He smiles but holds the smile like a pistol.

I chew on my lips as I calculate whether there’s any way to explain this that doesn’t look terrible for me or my mom. I consider whether I should ask for a lawyer, but I remind myself that I have nothing to hide. Do I? No. Vivek is the villain, not me.

“Vivek sexually harassed me at work and then assaulted me here.” The words spill out, a dam breaking, and I feel my chest freeing.

“He assaulted you?” His voice rises even higher, and he leans back to give me space.

“Yes.”

“Can you be more specific?”

I recount the story to Gonzalez, who looks like he’s doing everything he can to contain his excitement at this treasure trove of information I’m dropping on him.

After I’m done, he taps his notebook. “Your mother went to the Adwanis last night, ostensibly to tell him to leave you alone?”

“That’s correct.”