Danica

Friday, July 26th, 4:02pm.

I look away from Paxon and Olivia to watch a news-van that's prowling in the distance.

Leave us alone.

But I know they won't, they won't leave us alone until they know the truth or if the case is closed.

My phone buzzes suddenly and I pull it out of my purse. Detective Caine's number scrolls across the screen and I force down the bile rising in my throat as I answer it.

"Hello?"

"Danica, hi, it's Detective Marcus Caine, you mentioned that you were going to tell me more about the events that transpired on May seventeenth? I was wondering if you've found a lawyer to represent you yet," his voice replies from the other side.

He almost sounds eager about it and I wonder then if I even want to talk to him today.

"Oh yes, I have, I apologize, Derrick's funeral was today," I mutter as I step away from Paxon.

"That's not a problem, we can schedule a discussion whenever you're ready," he says dismissively. "However, this evening would work fine."

I gnaw on the edge of my lip in frustration, can't I have a single evening to sit down and relax?

"I can text my lawyer and see if that will work for them," I bite out carefully.

"That sounds great, just let me know," Detective Caine replies.

The call ends and I stare at the blank screen as I breathe evenly through my nose.

"What was that about?"

I look up to see that Paxon is standing nearby, his eyes on me. Heat rushes to my face as I scroll through the contacts on my phone.

"Detective Caine, he wants to talk to me, I'm going to text my lawyer first and see if she can meet."

"Good idea," Paxon mutters.

"I'll see you guys later?" I say, but in that moment, I really don't want to leave.

He nods at this and my stomach writhes uneasily.

"Unless you want me to stay," I find myself adding.

"I'm sure we'll be okay," he murmurs.

He looks toward the entrance of the graveyard then, which has begun to fill with news vans as reporters get out to aimlessly wander around the entrance.

"Okay, I'll see you guys around then," I say as I turn away.

I straighten my shoulders as I start toward the crowd, making sure to put an old set of sunglasses on as I refuse to make eye contact with any of them.

Ignore them, pretend they don't exist.

"Excuse me, miss, do you have time to answer some questions?"

I duck my head as I keep walking, my keys jingling as I fish them out of my purse. I hate that my hands are shaking as I do it, my fingers threatening to drop them as I finally get them out. I press my thumb on the unlock button, the headlights on my car flashing as a couple of other reporters look up in my direction.

I step past one of them as they lift their microphone towards me and I grab the handle for the door and yank it open. I slam the door shut behind me and lock it as I send a quick text to my lawyer. I had only spoken to her a little bit at her office when my parents had hired her, just enough for her to give me her card and go over what I've told detectives.

But I trust my parents to know that they'll do their best to keep me safe.

Now if only you could tell someone the real truth.

I guess that's why Paxon and I have been so close lately.

Because we're the only ones who know the full story.

My phone buzzes and I'm brought back to the present situation as I check it.

"I'll be at the station in ten minutes, wait for me before you go in," is what the text from my lawyer reads.

I put my phone away as I start the car, the reporters who had clustered by my door taking a few, nervous steps backwards. I look in the direction of the burial where Paxon and Olivia still stand, their backs to me.

Only one person is looking in my direction as I drive out of the patch of brown grass and onto the small, gravel path to exit the graveyard. I don't know if I should wave or not, or even acknowledge that they're watching me at all as a sudden shiver crawls over me.

I don't wave.

Instead, I turn my wheel as I drive out of the graveyard and onto the main road as I try to forget the green eyes watching me.