The Edge

Chapter 17

Sloane predictably went into meltdown mode once the handcuffs came out. The impressive tirade covered everything from pleading to cursing to sobbing like a baby. The Wilders insisted on following the arresting officers to the station for booking (not that it would do any of them any good), but neither Luke nor his family wanted Sloane to accompany them. Thus, I ended up playing babysitter and consoler.

Eventually, her wailing rants gave way to teary-eyed brooding, a marginal improvement. "Avery Eckhart is a lying shithead," she announces at last. "I didn't realize he was the one mouthing off that he saw my brother there. He started this. And the news was portraying him and those other fuc- friends of his as some kind of heroes. Like they're so brave for 'investigating' Hannah's murder. That's what we've been doing!"

I keep my trap shut, loath to burst her bubble. After some of the things Luke had told me during the ride to the house, I've no idea what to think anymore.

"I just can't believe he said it!" she snarls, balling her hands into fists. "After I kept his secret!"

Oooh, I like those. I can't help but ask, "What secret is this?"

"Uh, how about the fact that he is engaging in carnal relations with a certain Ms. Willoughby? Mr. Fuckchild might talk the talk, but she walks the walk, if you get my drift."

My eyes grow so large that I probably resemble an anime character. "Are you insinuating what I think you are?"

"Once upon a time, I forgot something at school and went back to the room a couple hours after class to get it. One of the custodians working the grounds gave me his keys to get in, and so I barge up in the class and totally catch them going at on her desk.."

Aghast, I search her face for any sign of deception. "You're not serious."

"I am. They were right there, getting it on. Bumping uglies. Well, Avery's got a nice ass, but still, that's not something I was expecting to see. It's pretty much burned into my mind forever. They begged me to keep my mouth shut, of course. I laughed and gave them shit about it, but I didn't really consider their little wham-bam-thank you ma'am action any of my business, so I let it go. In exchange for some considerations. Best English grades ever this year."

O.M.G, as the kids would say. "Sloane, why didn't you tell me!"

"I didn't realize it mattered! And it's not like anybody will listen to me about that now because I waited too long to say anything. I'll just come across as spiteful."

"But it could be a motive!"

"How was I supposed to know that? You guys wouldn't include me in all the plotting. You definitely never told me Avery was your main suspect!"

Sitting on important information must be a family trait. Worse still, they double down by spilling their guts at the least advantageous moment. These people are so intent on keeping the cat stuffed into the bag that the fail to notice there's a hole at the bottom of the sack. At least when I keep details to myself, it's in the interest of protecting minors and buying time to find the truth. I'd be all over this Avery business, except...

"I've lied," Luke had said, tapping his fingers against the console between us. He'd grown paler than ever and fidgety with nerves.

"You've mentioned that. Join the club."

His half-mad laugh drew my gaze and distracted my attention from the road. He looked as though he was going to be physically sick. We'd reached the mouth of his street. Between the onslaught of news vans and police cars, it was practically impassable. As I slowed to a crawl to take the turn, he whispered,