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shook her head. “It’ll be me.”
    “Everyone knows you wouldn’t kill someone.”
    A throat cleared and I shifted in my seat. Jasper gave me a narrowed-eyed look and placed his finger on his lips.
    “Trust me, Detective Roget believes I did it,” Marilyn whispered, the words sounding even more threatening. “He’ll have me arrested and shoved into a cell by tonight.”
    “If he does—” I stopped talking as I didn’t really know what we could do if Roget arrested her. Besides find her a good defense attorney.
    “Good. Then you’ll do it.”
    The triumphant tone in the words regained my attention and the confident smile gracing her face worried me. The last time someone had that I-have-the-perfect-idea smile on their face, I accepted a marriage proposal from a knight in shining armor and later discovered he was a con artist in tinfoil.
    “What do you need me to do? I’m in this as deep as you.” Hesitation shook my voice. I hoped that gave Marilyn enough of a clue I was asking about—not committing—to her plan.
    “I told Roget you had no idea I was at the store.”
    “Thank you. Because I didn’t know.”
    “Jasper said he saw me hand you the photographs. They should let you out of here.” 
    “Uh huh…”
    “I’ll need you to prove I didn’t kill Michael.”
    I leaned closer and lowered my voice. “I can’t do that. I don’t know how.”
    She shrugged. “You’re an expert. Figure it out.”
    “An expert? Wouldn’t that qualification go to the police who are investigating the case?”
    “Faith, Detective Roget has already solved this case. He didn’t bring the prosecutors in here because he thinks I’m innocent. He’s going to arrest me for the murder of my husband.” Her voice grew lower and grief etched itself onto her face.
    “It’s not right.”
    “And that’s why you’re going to help me. I thought about it all the way here in the police car.” She crossed her arms and glared again. “Besides, you owe me.”
    “I can’t get involved in this. I’m not a private investigator.” I tried to erase the responsibility guilt weaved around me.
    “You were in JAG.”
    “I typed reports and Article 15s.”
    “You told us you transcribed cases.”
    “Transcribe means taking notes during court. As in the case is being tried in front of judge and jury. CID investigates the crime, the military police arrest the suspect, and then JAG takes the case to court. I didn’t interrogate suspects and go to crime scenes.”
    “Legal experience is legal experience.”
    I wanted to bang my head against the wall. “Give the police time.”
    Marilyn opened her mouth, but closed it as Detective Roget entered into the room followed by Steve.
    “Marilyn Kane, I need you to stand up,” Roget said.
    Nausea rose and I covered my mouth with my hand.
    “There’s a bathroom down the hall, Davis.” Roget unclipped his handcuffs from his belt. “Why don’t you help Miss Hunter locate it?”
    “Come on, Faith.” Steve reached for my hand.
    I swiveled and his hand touched the empty air. “I’m   fine.” Marilyn needed me. I wouldn’t abandon her.
    “Marilyn Kane, you’re under arrest for the murder of Michael Kane.” Roget pulled Marilyn’s hands behind her back and slapped the cuffs around her wrists. The clink of metal striking metal reverberated through my body.
    As he recited the Miranda warning, I numbed my emotions to stop the kindred feelings from dredging up my past.

       
    The tears that threatened to emerge during the drive home tumbled down my cheeks. Using my foot, I shut the front door of my house and dropped my keys and purse. They plopped onto the carpet. I shuffled into the living room and collapsed onto the couch. 
    I flopped over and pressed a pillow against my face to muffle the sound of my sobs. If my grandmothers heard my cries through the walls, they’d rush over even though I sent Steve over with instructions and reassurance I was fine, but needed to be