“I already did.”
That surprised me.
“What?”
“A detective I trust is on the way.”
“You trust police now?”
Alex gave me a tired look.
“People change.”
The detective arrived twenty minutes later.
Her name was Maya Chen.
Forties.
Plain charcoal suit.
No visible patience for nonsense.
She shook my hand and then Alex's.
“It's been a long time.”
“Not long enough,” Alex replied.
That exchange told me they had history.
Maya interviewed Sophie gently once she woke.
Then she turned to Alex.
“Tell me about Vale.”
“Not here.”
“Alex.”
“Not here.”
Maya studied him.
Then glanced at me.
“You haven't told her?”
“Told me what?”
Alex exhaled.
Maya looked almost amused despite the circumstances.
“Oh, this is going to be a long morning.”
I stood.
“No more secrets.”
Alex rubbed the back of his neck.
“Martin Vale worked for me nineteen years ago.”
“Doing what?”
“Accounting.”
I almost laughed.
