Page 101 of What They'll Say About Us

"Not until Tuesday morning. I needed time to think after Rachel called me Monday afternoon and told me that you were at her hotel and there was a lot of drama going on. She found out from Kerry and Ella Marlin that Alina had approached your podcast team and asked you to get the police to reopen Paige's case. She said that when she saw you in the afternoon, you didn't mention it, but she was super curious if I'd heard about it. Of course, I hadn't until she called. That's when I realized that my past had finally caught up with me."

"When Alina showed up at my keynote speech, I thought the same thing," I said. "The last thing I wanted to do was dig into Paige's death. But Alina got everyone stirred up. People wanted to know why we wouldn't cover the mysterious death of one of my college friends. It felt like I had no choice. Once I started digging in, I realized that I had a lot of questions and that Paige's death looked less and less like an accident." I paused. "Rachel did mention that she'd seen you a few times recently, that her fiancé is friends with Garrett."

"Yes. That's probably going to change once the truth comes out about Garrett and me. I doubt any of our friends will ever speak to us again."

"So, you told Garrett on Tuesday because you needed to think about what you wanted to tell him?"

"I also wanted to wait and see what you were going to do." Sloane paused, guilt flashing through her gaze. "At first, I thought maybe I could scare you away, so I sent you Paige's favorite flowers on Monday night?—"

"And the threatening note," I murmured as another puzzle piece fell into place. "That was you. It didn't feel like something Garrett would do."

"It was stupid, and as soon as I did it, I thought I might have made things worse. So, I told Garrett Tuesday morning. He wanted to know what the hell was wrong with me, because I was completely panicked, and I confessed everything."

"How did he take it?"

"He was stunned. But he believed me when I said it was an accident; it was actually Paige's fault. His support felt good. Of course, he was worried about what might happen with you and your podcast. He told me he would take care of it, that I should not contact you, and if you contacted me, I should be friendly and helpful, but not say anything about that night." She blew out a breath. Then her voice dropped to a whisper. "I never imagined he was going to try to hurt you, Tessa. You have to believe me. I didn't know. He kept me out of his business. And I was fine with that. Now I realize I don't even know my own husband. He was willing to pay someone to kill you, to kill Detective Cabot. And he acted like it was business as usual, like he'd done it before. Do you think he's killed other people?"

"I don't know, but I wouldn't doubt it. Just out of curiosity, what did you think he was going to do when he said he'd handle it?"

"I thought he would help me come up with a plausible story or maybe try to shift the blame to Professor Hale. I told him about Paige hooking up with her professor. He acted like that could be a good reason for Hale to want to kill her. But to be honest, I didn't want to think about it. I ran away from the lake nine years ago, and I ran away from his words promising to handle it all. Both times, I knew it was wrong, but I did it anyway, because I was terrified." She paused. "When Paige died, I was scared for myself. When you showed up this week, I was scared for my little girl. Grace is my life. She deserves a mother. Now, she's probably going to lose both her mother and her father to prison. Who's going to take care of her? I don't have anyone on my side. My mother is dead. My father isn't good with children. She'll be alone."

"Stop," I said, holding up a hand as her panic intensified. "Let's take it one step at a time, Sloane. Garrett will go to jail because he hired someone to kill Detective Cabot and to set fire to my aunt's apartment building in an attempt to kill me and Morgan. I don't know what else he did, but I suspect he was behind the other attacks on me. He will pay for what he did."

"He should pay. He's not the man I thought he was. Why do I continually misjudge people?"

"Maybe you just see what you want to see."

"That's probably true. Garrett gave me everything I ever wanted. He took control of my life when I felt so out of control, I didn't even care that I was another one of his possessions. He made me feel safe." She stopped abruptly as Colton stepped into the room.

"Your husband is on his way to the hospital and then to jail, Mrs. Delano," he told her. "He'll be held without bail until he can see the judge. With his means, I don't believe he'll be granted a bond because he would be a flight risk."

"Does that mean he's not coming home?"

"I don't believe so."

"Good. I don't want him to ever come back," Sloane said. "I just don't know what I'm going to tell her." She looked down at her baby.

"Tell her you love her," I said. "Everything else will get sorted out."

Sloane looked up from the baby, her gaze moving to Colton. "I was there the night Paige died. I told Tessa the whole story. We were arguing. Paige shoved me, then fell into the water, and I didn't try to save her. That's the short version."

Colton nodded, taking in her very brief statement. "Okay. We have a lot to go through. Based on what I've heard, and what I saw in the backyard, I think we should talk tomorrow, Mrs. Delano."

"Can I stay with Grace tonight?" she asked hopefully.

"Yes. But I'll be here tomorrow at eleven to interview you. Make sure you have someone to watch the baby. If you're not here, I will find you."

"I'll be here," she promised. "I'm done running."

"Good. Tessa, are you ready to leave?" he asked me.

"One last thing," I said, turning back to Sloane. "Nate."

She gave me a sad look. "Nate didn't know anything, Tessa. He never lied to you. I did. Nate was a good guy, and he loved Paige. He never would have hurt her. And as far as I know, Liam was just as innocent as he always told you he was."

It was nice to get that confirmation. I'd never believed Liam was a killer or that he'd hurt Paige, but I had blamed him for everything else that was wrong in my life, when I should have blamed myself.

"Thanks," I said, and then I turned and walked out the door.