So he says it for me: “Nicki recently came into a large sum of money.”

If you could see the looks on the Thorne family’s faces you’d laugh. But I’m not laughing.

“How much money are we talking about?” Michael asks.

Broadus says, “One-point-two million dollars.”

16.

ALISON SAYS, “WHETHER Nicki came into money or not is her business. She and Michael are no longer engaged, so I’m not sure why you’re involving us in—”

Her face suddenly contorts and turns an angry shade of crimson.

“You fucking bitch!”

Jess says, “Jesus, Mom! What’s your problem?”

“You want to know my problem? I just realized why we’re part of this discussion. It’s because David—your father—gave Nicki the money. Am I right, Detective?”

“Indeed you are, Mrs. Thorne. That’s very perceptive.”

Michael jumps to his feet, tries to attack me, but Jess gets between us in the nick of time. Detective Rudd works him back in his chair and places a hand on Michael’s shoulder to keep him from trying it again.

“Care to explain, Miss Hill?” Broadus says.

“If you’re asking why David Thorne cashed out his Index Fund investment and had it transferred to my personal account, I can only tell you what he told me. But why should I?”

“Because it looks like blackmail.”

“To whom?”

“The police.”

“Are you saying David killed himself because I was blackmailing him?”

“Not yet. Not officially. But you have to admit it seems plausible.”

“If I blackmailed him, and he paid the money, why would he kill himself?”

“Maybe you wanted more.”

“If that were the case, wouldn’t he have left a note to explain his actions?”

“You tell me.”

“Fine. Yes. He would have left a note. And he wouldn’t have been naked, with his hand on his dick, watching porn at the time of the hanging.”

Alison winces at my mention of the position of David’s hand. I’d like to say that remark just slipped out in the heat of the moment, but my choice of words was quite calculated. I won’t be called a fucking bitch by Alison on the basis of pure conjecture, so I purposely hit her where it hurts. What David was doing at the time of his hanging is a very sensitive subject to her. Apart from the embarrassment, it tells the world their sex life wasn’t what it should have been. Autoerotic asphyxiation is awfully extreme behavior for a wealthy guy from the estates of Lexington who has a dream life, dream wife, and perfect family.

What I’m about to say won’t make a bit of difference to the detectives, since they’ve already made up their minds. But having been accused of something I didn’t do, I should at least put forth a defense, so I say: “I didn’t quit my job because of the money. I quit because my boss kept trying to put his hands on me. I didn’t tell Michael because I was afraid he’d go there and make a scene.”

Naturally, Broadus completely ignores my response. Instead, he points to the bank of elevators and says: “A few minutes ago you stood right there and told us you’ve got nothing to hide. Still feel that way?”

“Of course. It’s the reason I keep answering your questions truthfully instead of hiring a lawyer.”

“Then tell us why Mr. Thorne deposited $1.2 million into your checking account.”

“He was paying me to break up with Michael.”

“What?” Michael says.

“He wanted me for himself.”

Michael recoils in horror, starts coughing uncontrollably. Meanwhile, Alison’s eyes have narrowed to angry slits. Only Jess remains calm, waiting for my explanation, and so I offer it: “I never slept with David and never agreed to. But when I met him at the coffee shop that day, instead of trying to talk me into going back to Michael he told me he’s loved me from the day we met and wanted to be with me. He said as long as Michael and I were together he didn’t allow himself to tell me.