A.K.A. by TL Alexander

Author:TL Alexander [Alexander, TL]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: TL ALEXANDER
Published: 2017-08-03T16:00:00+00:00

Hours later, we’ve docked. While everyone is unloading, Ethan and I speak to Sherriff Henry Rogers.

“Are we about done here, Henry? I want to get Bri home.”

“I’m sorry, Ethan. I know it’s been a long day. I just have a few more questions.”

Ethan nods as he runs his fingers through his wavy hair—something he does when he’s nervous, angry, or both.

Sheriff Rogers looks at me. “Can you think of anything else, Ms. Richards?”

“No. Like I just said, I think you should talk to Brenda Smith. She might have more information.”

“You said ‘Jane’ might not be her real name.”

I nod.

“Is that common practice at these meetings, giving a false name? Going by an alias?”

His line of questioning and the words he’s using feel personal. It was a mistake to bring up the possibility of a different name. He’s now stuck on it.

“I wouldn’t say it’s common, but I know it happens.”

“Why would she do that?”

“Lots of reasons.”

I appreciate the hard and, at times, dangerous work officers of the law do. But his questions aren’t really questions. He’s digging. For what, I don’t know.

“Name one.”

“Fear, for one.”

“Why would she be afraid?”

“Have you ever dealt with an abuse victim?”

“Unfortunately, too many.”

“Then I think you know that answer.”

He nods and writes something in his pad. “Do you go by your real name at these meetings, or do you use an alias?”

“That’s enough,” Ethan says. “Bri has answered the same questions a dozen times.”

Sheriff Rogers flips his notebook shut. “Okay, Ethan. You can take Ms. Richards home. I’m not quite sure who’ll be the lead on this investigation.”

That was code for we’ll be talking to more investigators.

“I understand,” Ethan tells him.

“Have a good night.”

“Thanks, Henry. It’s been a long day.”

Ethan grabs my hand, and we walk toward Mark’s boat. “Asshole,” he mutters.

“He was just doing his job.”

“Whatever.”

“Finally,” Mark says when he sees us.

“Can we go home?” Gary asks.

“Yes,” Ethan tells him. “They’re done for now.”

“For now?” Mark says as he hands Ethan our bags.

“A detective will most likely take over the case, and he or she will have questions,” I tell him.

“Didn’t you already tell him everything you know?”

I nod.

“It’s not a big deal,” Ethan tells him.

“It’s routine,” I add.

Kat jumps off the boat. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

We make our way to the parking lot.

“I’m staying with Chad tonight,” Mark informs me.

“Okay. Don’t forget you work tomorrow.”

He and Chad say goodnight before they get into Chad’s BMW.

Ethan opens the back of his Jeep and tosses our bags in.

I open the passenger door, get in, and buckle up.

Ethan gets behind the wheel and does the same.

I reach over, and he takes my hand and kisses it. “I’m so sorry, Bri.”

“For what?”

“I wanted this to be the perfect weekend.”

“It was until….”

“Let’s go home,” he says and drops my hand.

He puts the Jeep in gear and looks at me.

I force a smile before we make our way out of the marina parking lot and onto Highway 101.

We drive in silence, and I’m glad for it. I need to think about Jane, my unstable metal state, and our engagement.

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