The Perfect Liar by Thomas Christopher Greene

Author:Thomas Christopher Greene
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

MAX CAME HOME THAT NIGHT with instructions to take it easy for a few days. No bright lights and lots of rest, he was told. The state police didn’t believe this precluded them from visiting, which two did, both in uniform, a man and a woman. On the street outside the house, all three local television stations had stationed their satellite trucks, two of them sad small vans with a dish on top, and the other one looking new and like a small RV.

Susannah drew the blinds down and Freddy disappeared into his room to play video games. Susannah had wanted to stay and listen to what the cops had to ask Max, but they asked if they could be alone, and that they might have questions for her afterward.

Before they came, and after Max was settled in upstairs, he told her what had happened. He was groggy and his eyes were slightly glassy but his words were pure Max, clear and forceful and she almost believed them. She wanted to believe him, even, but she knew differently. Though for the moment she felt that she had no choice but to play the dutiful wife.

“He just slipped,” Max told her slowly. “It was crazy. He got there first, to the gorge, and I was maybe two minutes behind him running down the hill. David was standing with his back to me, looking over at the falls. I remember he turned toward me, like he was about to say something. Next thing I know he’s falling backward into the water. At first I laughed. But then I realized he was in trouble. I sprinted over and went in after him. The current was insane. I was trying to pull him out but he kept getting sucked under. He was clawing at me for help. Then I hit my head. I have no idea how long I was out. When I came to, I was so lucky. Somehow I had gone downstream. David was floating on his face in the pool.”

“Oh, Max. Max.”

“It’s going to be a zoo, Susannah. For a few weeks. For all of us. The press will be knocking at the door. It’s important we don’t say anything yet. When I am able, I will talk to them. But I don’t want you and Freddy to have to, okay? This happened to me.”

“It sounds like it happened to David.”

“Of course, yes, it did. I feel terrible for Joanie. I mean, we made fun of them. But they were perfect for each other.”

Susannah sighed. “It’s going to be huge at the university.”

“Yes, it is. Listen to me. I know you won’t like this. But until I am well enough to make a statement, hopefully tomorrow, I need you to stay inside, okay? Backyard should be fine. But don’t go out front. There will be a lot of interest.”

She nodded. She looked into his blue eyes, which though hazier than usual were still that icy blue, both warm and unknowing at the same time.

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