“I was in shock, seeing Angela.” Jamal chokes up again. “When I got home, I cleaned myself and was planning to call in like I was worried about Angela, that she’d gone to the Pike. Then they’d find her. If they asked about the jacket, I was gonna say I left it in her car. It was a stupid idea, but it was a plan. But all that fell apart when the police showed up before I could get my story out. And the first to arrive was the sheriff. I knew Chris must’ve pinned it on me, and I wouldn’t stand a chance.”

A hot flush creeps up my face. I touch my neck like I can stop it. My questions being answered, terrifying to think Jamal went through all of that. No wonder he ran.

“We need to get you to meet with Steve Jones from Innocence X. He’ll know what to do.”

“I can’t risk it. If the police find me, I’m done. And if they even think you might know, you’re in danger.”

Jamal doesn’t budge; he’s not going to stop hiding when we don’t have any evidence yet to prove his innocence.

“I’ll call Steve—he’ll know what to do. Then we go from there.”

“Then what, I walk home? If they find out you know where I am, they’ll be all over looking for me.”

“What, then?”

“Can you get hold of Mandy? She’s the only one I can think of that Angela would’ve told about what she was doing.”

I swallow hard. Angela was going to let me in on her exposé but never got to it. Mandy knew a little, but I don’t think she knows as much as Jamal’s hoping for.

“I’ll talk to Mandy again. I got a little bit from her before. She was scared, but she doesn’t think you did it, Jamal.”

Jamal’s eyes soften.

“We got a community meeting this evening about the cross burning. Then I’ll track down Mandy. If she speaks out, saying you wouldn’t hurt Angela, maybe we can get Beverly to safely bring you in for questioning. They can’t do anything in front of a whole station. The entire police force can’t be crooked.”

“Oh, they can’t?” Jamal huffs out.

“They can’t.” I look away because I honestly don’t know who to trust. I just know Jamal can’t keep hiding out here. He’s gonna get caught.

Jamal’s eyes settle like he’s thinking hard. Then he tightens the laces in his shoes, knotting them up like he always did before a big race. He must know as much as I do, that he’s got few options other than running the rest of his life if he doesn’t try to find out the truth. Jamal can’t run forever.