Tessa Stark: Desert Heat

Chapter Nineteen

"This is Chloe Morris, Leva Anand, and Danni Baird," Cameran introduced the group. "I assume Etty is running late.."

"Uh...she-she is," Chloe answered, giving her headful of red curls a shake. "She said she had something to do first."

"As I said, I've been brought in to try and figure out what happened to Hallie, so I need to ask you some questions," Tessa picked up.

"But...I thought they said Nate...did it?" Danni said, her nearly white brows drawing together. "They just didn't have the evidence to prove it?"

"Naming Mr. Rutherford without enough evidence was something the original detective on this case decided to do. I'm starting over on my own, so right now I have no firm suspects."

"So, its possible that Nate didn't have anything to do with what happened to Hallie?" Leva asked, more than a little hopeful at the prospect.

"Its possible," she stated. "But, I haven't drawn any conclu--"

"I knew it! I knew Nate couldn't have done that to Hallie!" was Chloe's adamant declaration, spoken with both a measure of relief and fervent glee.

"How can you be so certain, Ms. Morris?" she asked the girl, whose freckled cheeks were flushed with feeling. "I've been informed that Nathan Rutherford could become violent towards the women in his life, especially if he was drinking."

All three young women seemed unfazed by the statement, which she found a bit disturbing.

"There's a difference between getting violent and getting stupid wasted, Detective Stark," Leva opined in a patient sort of way. "Nate can get rowdy after a heavy night, but aren't most guys like that?"

"Did Nate ever get rowdy with either of you?" she questioned.

"Not me personally," Danni shrugged. "But, I guess we've all seen him get a little handsy. He doesn't mean anything by it, though."

Cameran let out a disgusted snort. "He doesn't mean anything by it! Danni! Nate hits women! He's blacks eyes and busts lips! I mean, he's hit Chloe before! How can you act like that's okay!"

"Cameran, shhh!" Trista scolded. "This isn't the place! There are people--"

"Fuck these people!" Cameran spat. "My sister is dead! I don't give a shit if these assholes overhear!"

"Its okay, Cam. Really," Trista tried to soothe. "Try not to get upset. It doesn't help anything."

Cameran was suddenly knocking back her bourbon, thunking the empty glass onto the table, and getting to her feet. "I need something to drink."

"We have wine," Chloe said, motioning to the array of bottles before them.

"I'd rather have vodka," Cameran mumbled. "Ya'll answer the detectives questions or when I get back, you'll have to answer to me. And tell Etty the same thing, if she ever shows up! Either she cooperates or I'll strangle her scrawny ass!"

With that, Cameran exited the seating area and Trista went after her, leaving Tessa alone with the three rather stunned girls.

After a brief silence, Chloe let out a hard breath and reached for one of the bottles. "Now I need a drink."

"So, ladies, Cameran put forth a good question," she said, re-starting the conversation...and hoping that the possibility of having to set-to with Cameran Whitmore would loosen some tongues and make her job easier. "If Nathan Rutherford is in the habit of getting rowdy and giving women black eyes and busted lips, how can you defend him? Especially if he's gotten physical with you, Ms. Morris."