“Darby.” Jacqui clasped her chest and stepped back. “Oh my god, what are you doing here? We heard…” She gulped. “I mean this morning… I saw you in the police car…” She was babbling. “And it was all over the news. You and Martin…” Her eyes shifted to him and back to Darby. “Why are you here? Who is this guy? What happened? How come the police let you go?”

Eban gritted his teeth. It was obvious this woman and many others had already convicted Darby of the murder.

“The police let me go because I didn’t do it, Jacqui,” Darby stated firmly.

Eban was so goddamn proud of this woman and the conviction in her voice.

“I can’t believe what happened to Martin, but I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about it.” Darby’s brows crinkled. “I’m not even sure I’m allowed to talk about it.”

She shot him a look. He gave a slight shake of his head. Always better not to reveal details of an ongoing police investigation.

He was glad she didn’t introduce him. He would rather not have to answer questions about his involvement until they’d figured out who the real killer was. Or until someone forced the issue.

“Today has been so awful I plan to work from home for the next few days.” Darby brushed past the other girl to what was presumably her desk and began packing things into a laptop bag that hung over the back of the chair.

Eban held the door open with his back. The room had equipment everywhere, computers, printers, tripods, disks, solar panels, things he didn’t recognize. Massive images covered the walls, and winter survival suits hung on a coatrack behind the door.

Jacqui shot him a worried look. He tried to appear non-threatening so the other girl would be more likely to open up.

“This morning when they interviewed us the police said they weren’t looking for anyone else in relation to Martin’s death.” Jacqui laughed nervously. “How come they let you go? I don’t understand.”

Eban crossed his arms over his chest. “They let her go because Darby didn’t kill your friend. You should know that already.”

“Sure, I mean, sure.” Jacqui glanced at him.

“They found some evidence that suggested…” Darby paused, obviously realizing the evidence the police had found was still damning on face value. “Anyway, they dropped all charges against me which was a relief.”

Understatement of the century.

“What evidence?” Jacqui pushed.

“I don’t think I’m supposed to say. Hey, can you remember everything that happened last night?”

Lines creased Jacqui’s brow. “Of course, I remember. I wasn’t drinking.”

Eban wanted to gag. The woman sounded pious as hell.

“It doesn’t make any sense. I was hoping someone else experienced…” Darby trailed off.

She was hoping someone else had also blacked out. Probably best not to put that out there either. People would crucify her for sure.

The other girl hovered hesitantly between them.

“Did you see me leave the party?” Darby asked.