A Whisper

25: Warning Shot

"Hello," I said when I answered my phone the next morning. Eric and I were at the market picking up the things we needed for the weekend.

"Sookie Stackhouse, please," the woman on the other end requested.

"This is."

"Hi, Sookie, this is Detective Weiss returning your call. I'm sorry it's taken so long to get back to you."

"It's alright. I'm sure you have a hell of a caseload," I replied and covered my phone to tell Eric I was going to step outside so I could hear the detective better. "I apologize if the reception is bad. You caught me at the grocery store in Southampton."

"You're still in New York? I would have thought you'd be back in Louisiana by now."

"Nope, still here. My grandmother remarried last year, if you haven't heard. Brigant is her new married name."

"Good for her. I wish I was calling to tell you I have a break in the case. Unfortunately, a lot of the leads I get in the city turn out to be you," Detective Weiss said.

"Sorry. I hate to get anyone's hopes up."

"It's alright. Although I must say it surprised me to learn that you're involved with Eric Northman."

"Why's that?" I stepped out of the store and into the sunshine. It was supposed to get cloudy and storm later, not exactly good boating weather.

"Just with his involvement in Hadley's last days... Has he come forward with any new information?"

The world stopped turning then.

"What are you talking about?" Eric never mentioned knowing anything about Hadley. Ever.

"He was working with her prior to her disappearance. He set up her last audition that she never went to," Detective Weiss informed me.

My stomach dropped into my butt. I got lightheaded. Why didn't he tell me that my sister was a client? Why didn't Luna tell me my sister was a client? Hell, she probably thought I knew because anyone with a little decency would have brought that up.

"Sookie, are you there?"

"He was working with Hadley? How long?" I asked.

"I'd have to check the files for dates, but we thoroughly checked him out after she disappeared. He was cleared as a suspect," she told me. "The night Hadley disappeared she was supposed to be meeting a lover on the Upper East Side. If I remember correctly, Eric was out at his house in the Hamptons at the time. We verified with credit card receipts and cell phone records, as well as people around town seeing him."

I was happy to hear he had an alibi, but I wasn't happy that he never told me he knew my sister. Why would he lie?

"If you're interested in doing that interview, I'd be happy to meet you next week. How's Thursday for you?"

"Thursday is fine," I agreed. "Do I need to come by the precinct?"

"Sure. I can give you a tour and explain the process to you," she said.

"Great. What time?"

"Noon? We can get lunch and then get started."

"Okay. I can do that. I'll see you then," I said.

"See you then. Say hi to Eric for me."

"Oh I will." I hung up. I was pissed.

Me: I'm not coming back inside. I'll be in the car.

I'd driven my car up. It was tempting to leave Eric there and let him figure out how to get himself home. Instead I went back to the Range Rover and got behind the wheel.