“I didn’t think they’d believe us. I’d tried once—I came here, to this very station, to talk to the police about Jay when I first realized he was hurting her. I didn’t know what else to do. But no one believed me. They told me all about how Jay was a model citizen, one of Sugar Bend’s best, and how I must have misunderstood the situation. So forgive me if I didn’t feel confident in telling those same police officers what had happened in the span of that one awful night.”

“Except that you wouldn’t have told them what really happened. You would have lied to them. Told them you did it. That it was you who’d killed him.”

Violet swallowed. “You’re right. I would have lied.”

He exhaled. “I have to say, this is not how it usually goes. People argue all the time over who’s going to take the fall for a crime, but it’s usually because no one wants to take it at all. Rare to have two people choosing to take on punishment themselves.” He gestured between Trudy and Violet. “You two must have a special relationship. I’ve got a sister, but I have to say, I’m not sure she’d take a murder confession on her own shoulders to keep me from paying the price.”

Violet bit her lip. “I’d do anything for Trudy.” Over Delaney’s shoulder, she could see Frank sitting at the back of the room, in the shadows. He held her gaze.

“I can see that,” Delaney said. “And it’s clear your sister would do the same.” He leaned forward, propped his elbows on top of the desk, and rubbed his hands together. “I’m very glad Officer Roby brought this to my attention. Anytime a crime is confessed, we take it very seriously, from a kid stealing a stick of gum right up to two women admitting to killing a man.” He eyed the two of them, his face unreadable. “The circumstances around a crime always play a big part in how we respond. In this particular situation, from all you’ve told me, it sounds like a clear case of self-defense. Nothing more.”

Violet felt her mouth drop open. “But . . . I hid it all. I hid him.”

“Here’s what I think. I think in the heat of the moment, after nearly losing your own life and desperate to protect your sister from further harm, you did what you felt like you had to do. There’s no penance to be paid here. Further, I think that if you, Trudy, hadn’t taken definitive action that night, the two of you very well may not have survived the night. Now, it never should have gotten as far as it did. Police officers are sworn to serve and protect, and it sounds like they did neither of those things for you.” He shifted his jaw. “And for that, I offer you both my sincerest apology.”

Violet lifted her chin. “Thank you.”

Delaney placed his palms on the desk. “I’ve been on the police force a long time. Long enough to learn sometimes the law doesn’t fulfill its obligations and good people have to step in and take care of matters. That’s off the record, of course.”