Darby looked down at the pompoms dangling off the laces. “I needed something to cheer me up.”

“I think, after everything you’ve been through, a pair of cute winter boots is the very least you deserve.”

Her eyes shot to his. She caught a hint of pity, which she hated, but also empathy.

“I’m going to step out and call a friend of mine who works at UAF. I’ll make sure their legal department knows how bad it will look for them if they attempt to throw you out of the program.”

“Don’t forget I have to work with these people afterwards,” Darby warned.

“That reminds me, we also need to release a statement to the press letting them know you are a victim in this too.”

Darby rubbed her hand over her brow. “I hate being constantly portrayed as a victim.”

He sighed. “I’m sorry. But if you want to live in a small city like this where people are likely to recognize you in the street, I think it would be wise to make as big and public a denial as possible. Are you willing to talk on camera?”

She winced. “Only if I can talk about volcanoes.”

He chuckled. “I don’t think that would quite work in your favor.” He grabbed his suit jacket off the back of his chair. “I’ll do the talking, but I want you by my side clearly free from police custody. You write out your statement about where you were after you left here yesterday while I make that call to UAF’s legal team. Mention your buddy, SSA Winters, as often as possible.” He raised one brow. “Funny how you didn’t mention you were friends when we spoke yesterday.”

Darby’s smile wobbled. “When I called him yesterday morning, he told me to wait for a lawyer. Once he arrived, I didn’t know for sure whether or not he might believe I was guilty.” Her voice was small as she toyed with the pen on the table.

“You need to have a little more faith in the people who care about you.” Something flickered in Elliot’s eyes. “Although people can change.” He winked at her. “So maybe you did exactly the right thing.” He stood. “I’m going to make those phone calls. Remember, don’t talk to anyone except me or your Federal Agent friend. I’ll be back in half an hour and after that we’ll give a small press conference. Then, we can both get out of here.” He checked his watch. “And I might be able to catch a flight home assuming the weather doesn’t deteriorate the way they’re predicting.”

“Thank you, Elliot.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” He paused at the doorway. “Thank me when the university comes groveling at your feet apologizing for their lack of support.”

Darby nodded and exhaled massively as he left the room. She looked at the mirrored window and wondered if Eban was there or busy somewhere else. Then she looked at the sheets of blank paper on the desk in front of her. The sooner she wrote a statement about their movements last night the sooner she’d be out of here. She might not be looking forward to facing the press, but Elliot was right, she couldn’t hide from this if she hoped to live in this town.