Natalie said, “That detective in charge of the case: is he your Jake?”
My mouth dried. The words felt arid and dusty as I forced them out. “Who told you his name?” Like I had to ask.
“Lisa pointed him out on television the other night, and I recognized him as one of the cops who was in here the other day.”
I opened my mouth, and then shut it. Jake had to know he was fighting a rearguard action. And I was through lying to my own friends and family. “Yeah,” I said. “We used to be friends. A long time ago. He’s married now.”
“Bastard,” she said.
I shook my head. “Not really. He never lied to me. I just didn’t ask the questions I didn’t want to know the answers to.
