Detective Ames: Yes, Julia has been arrested. Her phone was found at a murder scene in the neighborhood. A knife that matches a knife set from your home was used as the weapon. She was seen leaving the murder scene immediately following the crime.

Pollitt: That can’t be. It can’t. Julia would never hurt anyone.

Detective Ames: Do you know who this man is? For the recording, I’m showing him a photo of the victim found at the Carlyle residence, 2308 Marbletop Road.

(Pause)

Pollitt: I don’t know this man. I’ve never seen him before. Who is he?

Detective Ames: Your daughter says that his name is Marland. She doesn’t know if that’s his first or last name. Or even his real name.

Pollitt: Who is he?

Detective Ames: We’re trying to establish that as well. Two murders in the same posh neighborhood in a week. Your neighbors are going to love you.

Pollitt: I need to speak to my daughter. You cannot keep me from my daughter.

Detective Ames: You’re in custody and you’re not going to talk to her.

Pollitt: Make it possible. Make it possible and I’ll help you however you want.

Detective Ames: Is it Julia you’re protecting? Did she have a reason to want to kill Danielle as well?

Pollitt: I…I…will never believe Julia could hurt someone. Please. You have me. Just leave her alone.

Detective Ames: You can’t talk to her right now. I’m sure she’s talking. Telling everything she knows. You should do the same. Just come clean.

Pollitt: The blood in that library bag isn’t Danielle’s. It’s mine. Your tests will tell you that. You see my face? Someone attacked me.

Detective Ames: How? What happened?

Pollitt: You let me talk to my daughter and I’ll tell you.

54

Iris

Iris pulls into the driveway past midnight, exhausted, beaten.

Her daughter is spending the night in jail. With Kyle arrested, the judge has decided to keep Julia as well.

She sees the front door open and Grant appear on the porch…and then Mike appear in the doorway.

Grant runs toward her, embraces her in the driveway. His hug is like solace.

Mike stands on the porch, watching.

“Where is Julia?” Grant asks.

“She’s at the detention center. I think we can get her out tomorrow.” Iris isn’t at all sure of that, but she has to give Grant hope. “It’s late. You should go to bed, baby.”

“I can’t sleep,” he says, but exhaustion slurs his voice.

She turns him back toward the house and walks him up to the porch.

“I didn’t think he should be alone,” Mike says quietly.