Finding Abbey Road by Kevin Emerson Read Free Book Online Page B

I say, trying another travel site. “Looks like Wednesday would be the cheapest day to fly. Maybe if there’s record label money . . .”
    â€œThe label,” Caleb groans. “What are we going to tell Jason?”
    â€œI don’t know,” I say. “One thing at a time.”
    â€œOkay. I— Oh shit.”
    â€œWhat?” I look up and see that we are turning onto Caleb’s street.
    And I see the police car parked in front of his house.
    2:56 p.m.
    Randy’s stalker van is in the driveway. We park beside it and shuffle slowly up the walkway, holding hands, not speaking.
    They are in the living room: Charity, Randy, a uniformed police officer, and another woman in a suit, sitting stiffly on the couches across from each other.
    â€œHi guys,” says Charity, her face tight.
    Caleb and I stand frozen in the doorway, no idea what to do.
    â€œYou’re Caleb?” says the plainclothes officer, a badge around her neck. She checks a notepad. “And . . . Catherine?”
    â€œYes.”
    We both answer like it’s elementary school attendance. My heart is slamming, and I can feel Caleb’s hand shaking in mine.
    â€œI’m Detective Reyes. We’re here about Cassie Fowler. You two aren’t in any trouble, but we do need to know everything you can tell us.”
    â€œIt’s okay,” says Charity as we continue to stand there like statues. “They know you’re related to her,” she says to Caleb, “and I already told them that Val had been staying here up until last week.”
    â€œMs. Fowler says she won’t press charges as long as the girl is returned home,” says the detective. “So if you cooperate, this should all go smoothly.”
    â€œIf we can trust Ms. Fowler ,” Randy grumbles.
    â€œHave a seat,” says the officer, her face impassive.
    Caleb and I shuffle to the kitchen table. Detective Reyes sits across from us. She leads with a smile. Trying to put us at ease. But it fades as she flips open her notebook, a pen poised over blank lines.
    â€œSo we know most everything,” she begins. “Obviously you both care about Val, and you thought you were helping her by harboring her. Certainly having her in your home was safer than letting her sleep on the streets. Also, she’s been part of your band.”
    â€œShe’s family,” says Caleb.
    â€œOf course. We understand the last time you saw her was in New York, is that correct?”
    â€œYes,” says Caleb.
    â€œAnd you haven’t been in contact with her since.”
    â€œNo,” Caleb answers immediately.
    Detective Reyes glances at Caleb, then jots down a note. There’s something about these quick looks she gives us, like she can see right through any lie we might tell. I imagineher writing liar. “We’d like to get a few more details about the events in New York,” she says, the searing glance aimed at me this time, and I feel my nerves explode. “Maybe we can start with your trip to the Fowler residence on February nineteenth.”
    Damn.
    I don’t want to look at Caleb. He stares hard into the table, but he might as well be glaring at me.
    I never told him about my trip with Val to her old house.
    Val didn’t want me to. I’d meant to afterward, but there hasn’t exactly been a chance. But now it looks like I’ve been holding out on him.
    â€œWe, um,” I say, “Val wanted to get some things. She didn’t want to go alone so I agreed. We kept it a secret because she knew it was risky.”
    Detective Reyes checks her notes. “Melanie says that Cassie stole money in the form of a blank check. Princeton police confirm that Val’s fingerprints were on the checkbook and nightstand.”
    â€œIt wasn’t stealing,” I say, although I guess it maybe was. “Val just wanted Melanie’s account number so that she could send her money for her medical