“Clearly, I don’t,” I challenge. Is she even fighting for me or does she know this is a lost cause? Did she throw in the towel the second she took this case? Is there no hope for me? I sit back down taking large gulps of scotch. The burning in my throat is the only thing that reminds me I’m still alive. The rest of me feels nothing.

“Weren’t you the one convinced Scott had something to do with Kelly’s death, and now you’re convinced that someone from her past did? Which is it?”

“Scott said he never hurt Kelly and I think I believe him. Based on that, maybe he didn’t have anything to do with it?”

“Jesse Hook confirmed he witnessed Scott physically and verbally abuse Kelly. Why would he lie?”

“Wait. He did? But Scott swore up and down he didn’t.” Why the hell would Scott lie to me? Why would he care what I thought? Something isn’t adding up.

“Who in their right mind would admit to abusing their late wife?”

She’s right. I’m such an idiot. He just seemed like he was telling the truth. He seemed like he… he just wanted to help, and maybe he does. Just because he was abusive doesn’t mean he killed her. I don’t know what I’m saying. Of course, he could have. He has a temper. He’s an asshole. He could get away with it. He’s a cop for Christ’s sake. Maybe I shouldn’t write him off based on one conversation. This whole thing is a mess, and I don’t know if I’m looking at the right person or even in the right direction. But I can’t give up now. I have less than two weeks before my trial starts. There has to be someone out there who knows something.

“What’s all this?” Sarah motions to the papers beside me on the couch. I should have put those away. She doesn’t agree with me, and I think Kelly’s past needs to be looked into. The papers are all the information Rebecca’s given to me concerning Kelly’s old life as well as the phone numbers I need to finish calling. Sarah walks to the couch and starts rummaging through them. She’s quickly scanning everything in sight. If she doesn’t believe this is worth looking into, then why is she looking?