Chapter 36

Julie had never seen David looking like this, so tired, red-eyed and disheveled. She hugged him and led him to one of the comfortable kitchen chairs.

“I was just about to make a BLT and have a glass of Chardonnay. Want some?” she asked.

“Oh, yes, please,” he said, “especially the Chardonnay.”

“David, your mother called, and Rolly called, too. They both want you to call them as soon as possible. They’re worried about you.”

“I’m so tired,” he said. “But I’ll call them right after lunch. I’m just glad to be home. It was so terrible in there…” He started to cry. “I miss Marc so much.”

Julie pushed the napkin holder toward him; he took one and wiped his eyes. She understood what it was like to suddenly lose someone you loved so much. But, she couldn’t imagine being humiliated and thrown in jail, on top of it.

Like kicking a hit-and-run victim.

When David looked up, he noticed the big chart taped to the refrigerator.

“What’s that?” he asked.

Julie poured them a glass of wine and began preparing the sandwiches.

“Somebody killed Marc, David…and it wasn’t you. Joe and I are collecting a lot of information right now, and I’m organizing it,” she said, putting a plate of bacon in the microwave.

“What can I do to help?” he said.

“Well, we need to talk some more about some of these people, and maybe some others. Right now, though, I think you need to get some sleep.”

“You’re right. I haven’t slept at all since they took me in yesterday,’ he said. “After we eat, I’ll call my mother and I’ll call Rolly. Maybe he can come over tomorrow and help us, too.” He sighed. “After that, I think I will go to bed.”

It seemed like an opportune time to let him know that she was aware of their relationship.

“David, I know about Rolly.”

He set his wine down, shocked.

“He told you?”

Without waiting for a response, David rushed on. “He didn’t do it, Julie! He never left my side; I would have known! He was just as shocked as I was!”

Julie closed her mouth, which had fallen open. Rolly Archer stayed here that night. That’s what David was hiding.

“Why didn’t you tell the police Rolly was here, that you found Marc together?”

“Didn’t he tell you?” he said, confused.

“David. Rolly never told me anything. I guessed that you two were on intimate terms with each other. That’s all I meant. “

“Oh, God,” he said, his hand covering his mouth. It was much too late, as the truth had already escaped like a canary from an opened cage.

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