Darby searched the detective’s face. “You know I wasn’t at the church last night and you had my snow boots locked up. You know that I didn’t do this but you’re still treating me like the villain of this story.”

The detective stared at her without blinking, unwilling to concede even that much. “I don’t know anything for sure. Write out your statement and sign it and you’re free to go.”

Darby let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

The woman stood to leave.

“Wait,” Darby said. “You have to call my advisor at the Institute. Tell him I wasn’t responsible for Martin’s death.”

The detective’s stern expression suggested she wasn’t willing to do even that much.

Darby’s voice firmed. “He and the head of department are deciding whether or not they throw me out of the Ph.D. program this morning. This is all I’ve ever wanted to do with my life.” She thought about the events of last summer and how she hadn’t given up despite everything. “I have invested too much time and effort into this to be thrown out because of these lies.” Darby’s voice vibrated with emotion. She had endured too much to let some shadowy figure take it all away. She would not be another of their victims.

“I suggest you make that call, Detective.” Elliot’s eyes told Darby he was sorry this was happening to her. She needed that. Needed someone not to view her as a killer.

Elliot continued. “I plan to make a few calls of my own in the next few minutes and the police chief will not like the negative publicity this incident could generate if you handle it improperly.”

The detective relented. “I’ll call him and say we have no evidence—”

“You better do better than that, Signy.” Elliot’s voice firmed and the detective looked startled at the use of her first name. “We all know who’ll get the blame if this thing blows up in the department’s face, and we all know I give good sound bites.”

The detective paused with her hand on the door handle. Shot him a glare. “Fine.”

The door slammed behind her.

“Boy, she really hates me.” Darby attempted a laugh because the alternative was breaking down in tears and she refused to give anyone here the satisfaction.

Elliot gave her a look. “Detective Torgerson and I have crossed swords before. Last time I made her look bad in court.” He pressed his lips together. “She hasn’t forgiven me yet, but it was nothing personal.”

Darby grunted. “Does she know that?”

He shrugged. “Her partner got romantically involved with a witness and hid the fact from her. She found out in court at the same time as the jury.”

Ouch. “No wonder she hates my guts.”

“She wants the case solved. She’s a good cop,” he insisted.

Darby flashed him a look. “How about catching the actual killer then?”

Elliot grinned. “That would be ideal for everyone.” He eyed her footwear. “Nice boots by the way.”