Everyone Talks

8 - None of Your Business

Nellie sat down at the table across from Rick, noting his soft smile but also keeping tabs on her father out of the corner of her eye. He had walked over and was leaning against the wall, his blue eyes fixed on her.

Even though he kept his face as clear as always, Nellie knew he was pissed. It radiated off him. She just wasn't sure if it was because she went to the party or because of the fight with Sophia.

Carefully - calmly - she folded her hands in her lap, hiding the fact they were close to shaking. While part of her expected this, it was still a bit scary and brought up memories she'd rather not think about.

"Sorry to call ya out of class, Nellie. But I got some questions for ya about Sophia McCracken," Rick said as he sat up in his chair.

Nellie kept herself from gulping, straightening up in her chair as well. She lifted her chin, determined not to show just how unnerved she was right now, especially with her father glaring daggers at her.

"Does he have to be here?" she asked, tipping her head toward her father.

Rick sighed heavily, his eyes drifting over.

"You're a minor, and I'm still your only guardian. So yes," her father clipped.

"Isn't that a conflict of interest," Nellie retorted, turning to face him with her eyes narrowed.

Daniel's glare turned a smidge more glacial as he pushed off the wall and started toward her.

"Now, let's keep this civil, ya'll. And that's why I'm doin' the askin'. I just gotta few questions for ya. We can get this over with nice and quick and get ya back to class," Rick said.

Nellie huffed and turned her attention back to the deputy, crossing her arms. She bit her tongue, now eager to get this over. And well, she figured while she was here, she might be able to get some information. She'd be more likely to get it out of Rick than her father, whose lips were often locked up tighter than a duck's butt.

"Right, so witnesses have said that ya were at a party on Friday night."

Nellie's cheeks heated up, though that could have just as easily been because of the anger wafting from her father.

"Yea."

"And that ya had a bit of a confrontation with Ms. McCracken while there," Rick said.

"We had words. But she was arguin' with Caleb before I accidentally walked up on them," Nellie said. Rick remained silent, raising his eyebrows. Nellie rolled her eyes. "She accused me of eavesdroppin', which I wasn't. I was goin' to get somethin' from Charlie's truck. I then told her to leave Kaitlin alone. If she wanted to go after me, go after me, but leave my sister out of it."

Rick jotted some things down on his notepad, though his eyes kept flicking up to her.

"Any reason why ya think she'd be goin' after Kaitlin?" he asked.

"'Cause for some reason, Sophia McCracken hates me. Lord, if I know why. Been askin' myself that for the better part of three years."

Nellie prayed he wouldn't push further. She didn't like going back over freshman year. Plus, she was certain Rick knew, considering how much time he spent around her father. Hell, the whole sheriff's department probably knew, considering how big a deal it had been back then. She shifted around in the chair, focusing her attention on a loose thread at the bottom of her shirt. Glancing up, she caught Rick sharing a look with her father.

"When did she go missin'?" she asked. Rick looked at her. "Was it Friday night?"

"Why don't ya tell me more about this argument?" Rick said.