Nicole marched into the station the next morning. Mason wasn't there. The only occupants were the officer that took care of the front desk and Clive. When he heard the door, the sheriff looked up. With a frown, he motioned for her to come over. She slowly walked over and sat in the chair across from him. "Hello, sir," she said as she forced herself not to shift around in her seat.

He leaned back in the chair. She fought a shiver at the coldness in his eyes. "Why did you feel that it would be okay if you left a note in my office?"

She thought fast. "I didn't want to leave it here. One of the others could have thrown it out by mistake or maybe you wouldn't see it on your desk here. I figured if I left it on your laptop keyboard back home that you'd see it."

He rubbed his face, his frustration evident. "How long were you there?"

She shrugged. "Maybe five minutes. I had to find the paper and pen, then I had to figure out what to write exactly, and then write it."

He frowned, but seemed to calm down. "My wife said she never saw you come back out. She didn't know when you left."

She smiled. "I didn't want to bother her, so I quietly left when I was done."

He nodded and then shook his head. "Fine." It was all she could do not to betray her immense relief. If he knew she was probably there for fifteen minutes, she didn't want to know what he'd do to her. His fingers drummed the desk. "Mason hasn't come in yet," he said in a low voice to himself.

Nicole had a feeling she knew where he was, but didn't say anything. She tried to look rightfully just as concerned as the sheriff. "Wonder where he is."

He shook his head. "Well, it's okay. I'll just have him make up the time later in the week."

A car pulled up outside and Nicole and Clive sat in silence. "Did Mason give you the run-down of the interview yesterday?"

"Yes, he did. Hydrochloric acid. That's something found in several household products, from what I understand. It's a good lead. Ashton – I'm sure he didn't tell you this – made very high marks through high school in chemistry. He knows a lot about these things."

She nodded and sat back, deep in thought. "Do you think he could be a temporary consultant on this? To tell you what he knows about hydrochloric acid poisoning?"

He shook his head. "He wouldn't admit to anything, so I don't think that would work."

She shook her head and smiled. "That's not what I'm talking about." She paused. "Sir, have you ever heard the line, 'keep your friends close but your enemies closer'?" He nodded, leaning forward. "Well, I was thinking that we ask him to come to the station so he can tell us what he knows. Butter him up, let him tell us things so we can judge just how extensive his knowledge is, and then, when he doesn't see it coming, we get him. We'll have enough evidence to prove he very well could have poisoned her."

Clive couldn't hide the grin that split his face. "Brilliant." Mason walked in the doors. "Mason, come here."

He walked over. "Yes, sir?"

"You should hear this girl's plan." He motioned to Nicole, and she repeated it, feeling every bit like the traitor she was. She kept reminding herself that to be believable she needed to do small things to get him to look like a murderer.

Though, to be honest, she didn't think he knew anything about this stuff. Of course, he probably had a lot of hidden talents and knowledge of things she wasn't aware of. She had only known him a year, after all. These people had known him his whole life.

When she finished, Clive looked at her with pride, and Mason looked at her as if he didn't know her. She tried to not give much thought to their expressions, or to what she was devising.

"What's the earliest you can get him here?" Clive asked.

She thought. "The soonest I can ask without seeming suspicious is lunch. I'm meeting him for lunch with my friend from back home. As to whether or not he'll actually come-" She shrugged. "Time will have to tell. I'll do everything I can, though."

Mason walked Nicole out. Once they were safely inside his car and he turned the motor on, he just glared at her. "What do you think you're doing?"

She stared back, surprised at the menace in his voice. "What are you talking about?"

He shook his head and stared forward, hands holding the steering wheel in a white-knuckled grip. "If you're on his side, this is stupid."

She shook her head. "It's not stupid. Look, I need to keep him believing I'm on his side, and after the foray at his house-" Mason snorted a laugh "-he suspects I'm up to something he potentially views as a threat to himself. I'm sorry, but I also want to keep myself out of his wrath."

Mason shook his head, a small smile on his lips that quickly vanished. "I get it, but still. Ashton does know a bit about this stuff. I helped him study, and he has a good memory."

She smiled. "I'm going to explain this situation to him and coach him. This will go to his – and our – advantage. You just play along. I've got this figured out. Trust me."

He backed out. "I hope you're right."

"What did Benson have to say?"

Mason quirked a smile as he pulled onto the road. "Now that is an interesting conversation. He went over her last night, as you know. Well, he found her trachea had injuries that indicated she had been choked, but there was water in her lungs. Stagnant water. If she were drowned in the ocean, it would have been salt water."

"So she may not have even left her yard alive." Nicole shivered, and it had nothing to do with the icy air blasting her from the vents.

"Right. So, I guess I'm doing recon on what's in who's yard?"

She nodded. "That sounds right. I want you to check Clive's yard and Taylor's yard." With reluctance, she added, "And Trisha's yard." The nail had been nagging her. For Ashton's sake, she hoped Trisha had nothing to do with it, but she couldn't shake the notion.

He nodded. "What about Ashton's?"

She rolled her eyes. "Trust me – he doesn't have anything out there."

He glanced at her, curious, but nodded. "Why Trisha?"

They were slowly cruising at about 5MPH. Nicole watched storefronts inch by. "I found her nail in the sand where the girl was found."

"So that's what you slipped in your pocket." He shook his head, smiling. "You were slick, but I saw," he said to her shocked expression.

She shrugged, smiling back. "Yep. That's what it was. I found out from Lynn it was Trisha's. It may or may not be connected to this, so that's why I never mentioned it."

He nodded. "Yeah." They neared the restaurant. He pulled to the curb. "I'll let you out here."

She opened her door. "Thanks for the ride, Mason." She got out and then stooped to look at him. "Oh, and thanks for helping me help out Ashton. It means a lot."

He smiled. "You're welcome. Ashton doesn't deserve what he's getting. I need to help. I'm just glad you're willing to help him, too."

She smiled in return and closed the door. Before he could leave, she opened it again. "One more thing. Can you pick up me and Ash here in about forty minutes?" He nodded. "Thanks."

Once he'd driven off, she went into the restaurant. Hailey was at a table already. "Hey," Nicole said, sliding into the booth opposite Hailey.

"Hey." She picked up the menu and began looking at it, not looking at Nicole.

"What's up?"

After a moment Hailey sat the menu down and glared at Nicole. "What do you think? You ditched me again this morning. Were you with Ashton? Again?"

She shook her head. "No. I haven't seen him all day. I went straight to the police station. I'm helping them out."

Hailey looked at her skeptically. "Right. I know you don't think Ashton did it. Why would you be in there with them?"

Nicole glanced around. "I know you think he did it. I'm in there trying to get the whole picture. You? You're out here, relaxing, letting the people here figure it out. You should know more than me that the police take forever to get to the bottom of these things."

Hailey's posture sank. "Don't use the aunt card. Everyone knows the man next door to her shot her."

Nicole nodded. "Everyone, yeah – except the police. He's still out there. I don't want Taylor's case to go cold. I don't want dangerous people on the loose here."

Ashton walked through the doors right then. Hailey glanced back and then glared at Nicole. "What's he doing here?"

He slid into the booth next to Nicole and put his arm around her. "Hey, babe." He kissed her head.

Grinning, she pushed him away. "'Babe'?" She giggled. "Really, Ash?"

He shrugged, grinning back. "Just thought I'd try it." He pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. After a moment he turned away and nodded at Hailey. "Hey."

She frowned. "Hey." She glared at Nicole.

The waitress came over. "Hey. Whatcha guys want to drink today?"

Hailey sat down the menu. "I want a coke."

She turned to Nicole. "Lemonade."

The waitress turned away and walked off. Ashton's face reddened and he toyed with the menus on the table. Nicole started to raise a hand, but he grabbed it and pulled it back down. He leaned over and put his mouth on her ear. "Don't worry about it – I'll just share with you. It's fine." His lips lightly brushed her ear, and she shivered as he sat back.

When their drinks came, the girl asked, "Whatcha want?"

Hailey shrugged. "I guess I'll take the fried fish and hush-puppies with a side of your mac'n'cheese."

She turned to Nicole. She pointed at Ashton. "Take his order first."

The girl frowned. "I'm not allowed to serve him."

Ashton shrugged. "That's okay, Em-"

Nicole held up a hand. "No, it's not. What if you brought me a double order of the deep-fried turkey and ham with cheese and two sides? I feel hungry today."

The girl smiled at her. "Of course."

"And if he steals my food, well, he stole my food, right?"

She cocked her head, eyes smiling. "Right."

"I want the sides to be mac'n'cheese and-" Ashton whispered in her ear "-and fries."

She made a notation and walked off.

Ashton leaned closer and brushed her ear with his lips again. "Thank you," he breathed, making her shiver again. His nose was buried in her hair and she felt his body relax against hers as he inhaled. She didn't mind, but they were beginning to get looks.

Gently, she pushed him back and tapped his nose with a straw. "Thirsty?"

He smiled and shrugged. "I guess."

She glanced around and stuck the straw in the glass, swirled the ice. After taking a sip, she leaned on Ashton, putting her mouth by his ear. While he took a sip, she whispered, "Stop smelling me – the people are beginning to stare."

He nodded and set the glass down. She sat back and looked at Hailey. She was glaring. Nicole felt her face get warm. "Sorry," she mouthed. Hailey shook her head. Nicole sighed.

The food came and everyone ate in silence. Hailey finished and sat her fork down. "I'm gonna head over and hang out with Trisha," she announced. Nicole forced herself not to flinch at the name. "At least she still wants to hang out."

Nicole sighed as she watched her friend leave. "I'm sorry," Ashton murmured to her.

"It's okay. She'll come around." She shook her head and checked her watch. "Hey, Mason's coming to get us. The three of us need to talk."

He sighed. "You know what I think of him."

She rolled her eyes. "Yes but think about who's helping you. There's at least four people in this town that are pulling for you: me, Mason, Brandy, and Benson. Mason has been a big help to me."

Ashton grunted. "Fine." He slid out and waited for her. Together, they walked to the door and found Mason idling near the curb. Nicole opened the front door and got in. He hesitated. She knew he didn't like getting in the back, and she didn't blame him. Finally, he sighed and opened the door. As they were getting back into traffic Ashton said, "Perfect place for the prisoner."

Mason's jaw tightened as he glanced at Ashton in the rear view. Nicole frowned. "Stop it, Ash. We're really trying to help you. We also have a lot to discuss before we get to where we're going. Mason, what did you find?"

"No standing water anywhere, but at Clive's there was a nice size kiddie pool that had been recently emptied."

Nicole nodded. "Thought so."

"What are you talking about?" Ashton piped up.

"This morning, Mason talked to Benson. Turns out, Taylor was choked while she was drowning in stagnant water. If she'd washed up, it would have been salt water, so that rules out the ocean. She was also choked, which makes me think the person was impatient. Perhaps she was struggling, or she wasn't drowning quick enough. That's something that makes Clive look, shall we say, guilty."

"Add to that the drained pool in the backyard," Mason reminded them. "I'm sold." He glanced over at Nicole. "Tell him."

She swallowed. When she didn't say anything, Ashton spoke. "Tell me what?"

With a sigh, she twisted around in the seat to look at him. "We're taking you to the police station." As she watched his eyes grow larger and panic seep into his face, her heart twisted. "Listen, we have-"

"Why," he began, his voice so controlled and level she was almost afraid, "are you bringing me to that God-forsaken place?"

She felt the tears prick her eyes, but she blinked them back. "The girl inhaled hydrochloric acid and it caused her to cough up blood. Clive knows you passed chemistry with flying colors in high school and he says you knew exactly what to give her to kill her. He wants you to be the consultant on poison and chemical stuff on this case." Ashton was starting to calm down, his panic visibly leaving and turning into anger. "Think about this Ashton: he wants you to come in and tell him things. He knows you know all about this stuff. It's a good opportunity."

He shook his head. "He can just Google that stuff and see I'm lying. What then?"

She sighed and faced forward. "He has, but what he was looking for wasn't what you can provide. He researched different poisons and chemicals, remember? I went to the search and the links he followed. It was almost specific to hydrochloric acid. He didn't research much else. Plus, he doesn't have the best memory. There's notes all over everything everywhere, both in his office and at the station."

Ashton was silent and she could almost feel his anger. But she could also almost hear him thinking it over. After the silence had stretched on for a block, Mason glanced at Ashton in the mirror. "Are you okay?"

"Ya. I'm just trying to figure out why my girlfriend that says she loves me would sell me out like this. It makes no sense to me."

Nicole felt her heart twist even more as she heard the sneer in his voice. "I do." Her voice broke and tears blurred her vision. "Ashton, you have no idea-" Her words were choked off in a sob. She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. She turned to face him. He looked as miserable as she felt at the moment. "Look. I'm trying to keep you safe. I have to give him a little of what he wants so I can get what I want. Things are too dangerous for us all right now."

His eyebrows lowered over his eyes. "What the heck are you talking about?" She looked at Mason. He glanced at her with sympathy in his eyes. "What are you guys not telling me?" Mason nodded once.

She took a deep breath and faced him. Fear was creeping into his eyes. "Things aren't good. Your dad is fed-up with a lot of things. This is his way of framing you to take a fall. He's trying to get rid of you. One way or another."

"What do you mean, 'one way or another'?"

She shook her head. "Think about it: this state has capital punishment. With the kind of pull your dad has – by the way, I heard Dad discussing what you said about that with Mom – he can make sure you die. If he wants that, what's to keep him from doing that to you, anyway?" Ashton audibly swallowed. "I need him preoccupied for a while. If you cooperate with him but not totally, I can get what I need to do done. I need your help, Ashton."

His jaw tightened and he looked out the window. Mason glanced at him in the rear view. "We're going to attract too much attention driving in circles like this. Ashton, I'm going to drive to the station. You don't have to go inside if you decide not to, but if you decide you will, well, I need to keep appearances up, too. I need to, um, handcuff you."

Nicole turned to him, surprised. "Why in the world do you need to do that?"

He sighed. "Ashton is a suspect in a murder investigation," he intoned. "Therefore, he's presumed to be dangerous and needs to have a restraint."

She looked back at Ashton. He shrugged. "He's right." She hated the defeat she saw in him. "He does need to cuff me. It's standard procedure." He turned his attention to Mason. "You know, if you passed me the cuffs, I could do it myself."

Mason looked impressed. "Nice, but sorry, I can't." He tapped the partition. "Won't fit."

Ashton sank back against the seat. "Okay."

Less than a minute later Mason parked in his spot. Before he shut the motor off, he turned and looked at Ashton for a long minute. He sighed and turned the key. He and Nicole got out and Mason opened the door for Ashton. When he got out, he turned with his hands behind his back. Mason sounded genuine when he said, "I hoped I would never, ever have to put handcuffs on you." He cuffed Ashton and took him by the arm. "Let's go in."

Nicole led the way up the stairs. Clive looked up at them. "See? Told you I could get him in here." He nodded and looked rightfully impressed.

Clive drug a chair over by his and smiled as his son was seated in it. "My son, back with me," he said and put his arm around Ashton's shoulders, either not noticing or not caring that Ashton flinched hard. Nicole was willing to bet he didn't care. He released Ashton and rubbed his hands together. "Nicole, it's been a joy, but you can go now."

Nicole felt like ice water had been dumped on her head. She froze. "What?"

"You can go now," he said patiently as if she were a child.

"Sir, that's not what we agreed to." Panic and fear threatened to consume her. The only thing that kept it at bay was anger. To keep the she took the anger and rolled with it. She shrugged. "This was not what we had agreed to. Remember?"

"Miss, one thing you need to learn is that people lie."

Her hands curled into fists. "This isn't fair."

"Nothing is fair in this life."

She pushed down the scream. Ashton was watching her, so she focused on him. He was shaking his head at her and flicking his eyes to the door, obviously telling her to leave. She took a deep breath to calm herself. "Fine." She turned around and forced herself to both actually move and then not to run. A brisk walk carried her to the doors both too fast and not fast enough.

The moment she was out of sight of the doors – near Mason's car, she realized – she fell to her knees and began sobbing. A few minutes later Mason appeared at her side. He held her to him, and she cried into his chest for a long time. Once the tears had subsided, he helped her up and led her around to the passenger door and took her back to the cottage.