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I snorted at the question in disbelief.
She nodded grimly. “Well, I just wanted to let you know that we’ve officially arrested Greig Wallace. We’ll be releasing a statement to the media this morning.”
My heart raced. “So … it was him, then.”
DI Mulvaney exhaled slowly. “We found DNA on one of the victims, and it’s a match. We also ran rapid DNA testing on the hair we found in Wallace’s attic, and it matches three of the victims.”
The room spun and I stumbled back blindly, searching for the bed. I slumped down on it as the floor rose toward me and felt Forde’s strong hand on my shoulder. Anchoring me.
“We’re working with Interpol on the European cases to see if we can match up evidence. We’ll be holding on to your laptop.”
I nodded, my teeth chattering as reality set in. “I’ll be a witness, then.”
“You both will. But you especially, Cameron. You need to prepare yourself because this will become a media storm. We have protections in place and people you can talk to for support through this ordeal, and we’ll make sure you have access to that. Okay?”
I kept seeing the hair in those bags. Every time I told my brain not to think about it, the memory flashed across my eyes. “We broke into his flat.”
DI Mulvaney and PC Colins shared a look before Mulvaney spoke. “We won’t be pressing charges, but it could pose a problem for our case. His defense will try to twist that. Maybe even suggest you planted the evidence.”
Horror suffused me. “What? But that would implicate us.”
She waved away my concerns. “Grasping at straws. I just wanted you to be aware that defense will play dirty with those circumstances. But we have a really strong case here, Cameron. And that’s because of you. I’m not going to hold one mistake against you when we wouldn’t have Wallace in custody if it weren’t for you. I meant it yesterday when I said how brave I think you are. You’ve saved goodness knows how many lives by coming forward with this information.”
Her words didn’t sink in. They couldn’t get past my disgust and disbelief. “Why not me? I fit the profile, so why didn’t he hurt me?”
Forde squeezed my shoulder in comfort while Mulvaney shook her head. “I can’t answer that.” Her gaze flicked to Forde, and they shared a silent exchange I was too exhausted to question.
“You can go home. We’ll be in touch. PC Colins will refer you to witness support.”
PC Colins gave me a kind nod. “I’ll also give you my direct number in case you need anything.” She held out a business card, and I shakily took it from her. “I mean it. Call me anytime.”
“Thank you.”
“Get her home,” DI Mulvaney told Forde. “Your names will be kept out of this until it goes to court, so enjoy the peace and quiet while you can.”
After they left, Forde lowered to his haunches in front of me. I knew I wasn’t myself and I felt pathetic about it, but I couldn’t force myself to be the usual Cammie everyone knew. I wasn’t her right now. Touching evil had sculpted me into something different. When I wasn’t thinking about the hair in the attic, I’d get flashes of being in bed with Greig, kissing him, touching him. Him … inside me. Evil inside me.
The room spun as my chest tightened. “I feel sick.”
“I’ve got you, baby.” Forde rubbed a hand over my knee. “You’ll feel better with a bit of food in your stomach. Let’s get on the road. Let me take you home. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
His eyes shone with sincerity.
And even though I felt like I was breaking into pieces, I felt safe to do it with him.
He was like Forde before our relationship was poisoned with jealousy and resentment.
He was like Forde from my childhood.
The person who vowed to protect me always.
Part Two
14. Cameron
Three months later
New laptop in hand, I strolled down Main Street toward the Lantern, pretending not to notice the stares or the whispers behind hands. Despite not always feeling like I fit in here, I loved my town. My island. It was home. I’d seen the locals pull together as a community to support their neighbors. To protect each other. However, I’d also seen them at their worst when they questioned whether Forde and Quinn were innocent over Liam McCall’s death. I’d seen them treat each other with suspicion when someone was leaving creepy threats at Tierney Silver’s door. Moreover, they gossiped like it was a competitive sport. I’d indulged in that over the years too, so I couldn’t be too judgmental.
