“Intoxicated consent isn’t really consent, is it?”

“No, it’s not.”

“When I went to see Brit before the fall break, someone found me. I was really drunk. God knows what they could’ve done to me, but that person, my guardian angel, laid me on a bed and let me sleep it off. That’s an act of kindness I’ll never forget.” I’d not mention he’d drugged me in the bar.

His shoulders relaxed a fraction.

“Thank you,” I said. “Thank you for saving me that night.”

“Why do you think it was me?” David asked.

“I don’t know for certain. But I’ve had a chance to get to know you. You’re an upstanding guy. You wouldn’t force or take a girl that’s too drunk.”

“No, I would not.”

“I’m pretty sure when the DNA tests come back, they’ll prove you were the baby’s father.” As he leaned back, I held up my hand. “I’m not blaming you. Rather, I want to thank you. You were nice to Clare when she needed it most. She and I both were pretty lost in those days.” I wasn’t sure how many more thank-yous I could toss this guy’s way before I lost total grip on my control.

When he again didn’t respond, I said, “And then you came back for me. You were my first sale, weren’t you?”

“I liked the print. That’s not a crime.”

“You’ve done nothing that’s a crime. You loved my sister, you supported my art, and you’ve been nothing but kind to Brit.”

He drew in a breath, exhaled it slowly.

“What’s worrying me is Jack. He’s going to walk in a couple of hours. And he scares me more than anyone. He’s saying you killed Clare, but I think it was him. I think he left me while I was passed out and came to the party. I don’t know if he confused her with me or if he was just trying to hurt another Stockton girl.” I paused, realizing my heart rate was kicking up. “When he gets out, and he will, he’s going to come after me again.”

“He won’t do that.”

“I think he will. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

“He won’t hurt you. That I promise. When I get out of here, and I will, I’ll keep an eye on you.”

“I think he’s setting you up,” I said.

“Why would he do that?”

I dropped my voice and leaned toward the plexiglass. “He’s smart. Really smart. And we both know he’s a survivor.”

“He tried to hurt you. That’s not smart. He’ll go to jail for that.”

“Assault is a world away from accessory to murder.”

David’s frown deepened.