Page 90 of The Truths We Find

“Alexa and Em coming by?” Gavin asks.

“Not that I know of. Last text I got from her said they were spending the day at her place… and then followed it up with a winky face emoji.”

Gavin shudders, making me laugh. “I really want to be happy for her, but… that’s also my brother she’s talking about. Yuck.”

Another loud knock rattles the door. I walk the short distance and open it, squinting at the two men in suits standing there. “Hello?”

“Danielle Russell?” the man on the right asks.

“Yes. Can I help you?”

“I’m Detective Owens and this is Detective Shaw from San Diego Police,” the other man begins. “We’ve been asked to bring you in for questioning regarding Robert Tate.”

My jaw drops—along with my stomach. “Excuse me?”

Detective Shaw adds, “You’re not under arrest. We just have some questions for you.”

“Hold on.” Gavin’s next to me now. “The District Attorney dropped the subpoena. She doesn’t need to answer anything about Robert Tate.”

About a week ago, the DA finally gave up his fight to get Alexa’s and my records. Our legal team at the station threatened to take him and his office to court, in front of a judge who actually understands the law, and after a lot of back and forth, we got a call saying it was all over. Apparently, these detectives didn’t get the memo.

Detective Owens looks Gavin in the eyes. “Sir, this has nothing to do with you and we’re going to ask you to step back.”

“I’m the News Director at KSSD and Ms. Russell’s boss. I have every right to make sure you are not violating my employee’s legal rights.”

The detective lifts a brow and looks between Gavin and me. “Is it normal for you to be at your employee’s home on a Sunday morning?”

Shit. If no one knew about us before, they will after our legal department finds out about these detectives’ little visit. “That’s not relevant,” I chime in. “The fact is, I don’t have to disclose any of my research on Tate to you.”

“Ma’am, this has nothing to do with your research or your story,” says Detective Shaw. “This has to do with you. Now, are you going to come with us willingly? Or do we need to come back with a warrant?”

With me? What’s he talking about? “I haven’t done anything wrong. What the hell is this all about?”

“We aren’t at liberty to say at this time,” Detective Shaw adds.

I glance up at Gavin. He’s clearly worried, and so am I. I move my head back to the two detectives, unable to read their expressions. “And I’m not under arrest?”

“No ma’am.” Detective Owens shakes his head.

Call it journalistic curiosity. “Fine. I’ll come with you. But only because I want to know what the fuck is going on.”

“Dani!” Gavin practically yells. He grabs my forearm as I move toward the detectives.

I turn towards him and force a small smile. “I’ll be fine. Just follow us, and wait for me there, yeah?”

He nods in agreement.

I go with the detectives to their car, head held high. While on the outside it looks like I’m okay with all of this, I’m absolutely terrified about what I’m walking into.

Chapter 26

Dani

San Diego Police Headquarters isn’t new to me. I’ve been here plenty of times chasing stories. What is new is being brought in and shoved into an interrogation room.

They insist I’m not under arrest. Just here for questioning.

Is this really about the Tate case? Because Alexa and I wouldn’t reveal our source? They claim it’s not, but a part of me wonders if that was just a lie to get me here.