Chapter 11 #3
"I wasn't worried the first night because she often stayed with Nate. It wasn't unusual."
"But Nate was out of town that weekend."
"I didn't realize he'd left on Friday until the next day. Then I got really worried because I didn't know where she was or who she was with. I kept trying her phone, but she didn't answer. I called a few of her friends from the theater, but no one had heard from her."
"You didn't call me."
"Well, I didn't consider you to still be her friend." Sloane paused. "She used to hang out with Carrie, and I did reach her. She told me she thought Paige had gone away with someone else, that she'd mentioned something about seeing her on Monday, but it was all very vague."
"I didn't realize Carrie and Paige were that close. Carrie was two years younger."
"But Carrie idolized Paige, and Paige liked her attention. They got pretty close those last few weeks. Carrie wanted to be just like Paige. And now she is doing what Paige always wanted to do—star in a play."
"I saw Carrie yesterday. She's not that great. I got the feeling Hale got her the role."
"You seem to think that Hale gets everyone their role," Sloane said with a tart note in her voice.
"Not everyone. He didn't want me in the lead until he had no other choice. But that doesn't matter."
"None of it matters anymore, Tessa. I know you say you want justice for Paige, but it feels like you're using her for drama for your podcast. You already hurt her when you became her rival and spread rumors about her.
If you've changed, if you've grown up, then maybe don't use her death to get you more listeners. "
Her words stung. "It's really not like that. I wouldn't have done this at all if Alina hadn't begged me to. I couldn't say no to her." I took a moment, then added, "And maybe I want to get Paige justice to make up for my actions back then."
"That just means this is still about you, Tessa.
" Sloane let out a sigh. "I think it's a mistake.
But I can't change your mind. Like I said before, you and Paige were a lot alike in that regard.
I never could change hers, either." She got up and walked out of the gazebo, standing by the edge of the bluff, her profile a mix of hard emotions.
I gave her a minute, then walked out of the gazebo, leaving some space between us. I didn't want to pressure her, but I still needed her help, and I knew she didn't want to give it.
"Sloane, I could really use your assistance. You knew more about Paige's life outside the theater than I did."
She turned to face me. "There wasn't much life outside the theater those last few months.
If there was, I didn't know about it. Maybe Nate can tell you more.
Or Carrie." She let out a sigh. "I don't have any answers to explain what happened to Paige.
And it hurts my heart to think about her.
She was the closest person I had to a sister.
Do you know how hard it was to live in that apartment without her?
To walk by her empty room and see all her things waiting for her?
And then I had to watch her parents gather up her things, and her mom was in hysterics.
It almost broke me. It took me a long time to stop crying every day.
I can't go back to that place. I have a husband and a daughter, and I don't want to bring that darkness into their life.
If I could help you, I would. But I can't."
It was impossible not to see the pain in her eyes, but even if I left her alone, I didn't think the police would because she was the closest person to Paige. And it was still possible she knew more than she thought she did.
The back door opened, and an older woman came out with the baby, giving Sloane a wave.
"I'll be right there, Elana," Sloane said, then glanced back at me. "I have to feed Grace."
As the baby started to cry, she hurried across the yard, taking her little girl into her arms and snuggling her with love and tenderness.
I walked toward them, giving her a soft smile. "Your daughter is beautiful. She looks just like you."
"Grace is everything," Sloane said with moisture in her eyes. "She's my world."
"I'm glad you're happy, Sloane. I really am."
"Thanks. I wish I could say I hope I see you again, Tessa, but I'd prefer if you just left me alone."
I didn't bother to tell her that even if I left her alone, the police would probably want to talk to her, but I'd let Detective Barclay deal with that.
Right now, I wanted to focus on a couple of clues that Sloane had dropped: Paige had been fighting with Professor Hale in his car, which definitely suggested a closer relationship than teacher-student.
Paige had been taking someone else's prescription Adderall, and she'd been spending time with Carrie.
Maybe that's where she'd gotten the Adderall.
Carrie had also suggested to Sloane that Paige was supposed to go away with someone else that weekend.
Could that possibly have been Hale?
Or could it have been Liam?