thirty-five

After hanging up with Marcy, I called Harper’s house. There was no answer. I then called her cell phone. On the fifth ring, Devin picked up. He sounded horrible. “Devin?” I said. “It’s Nic Martini. I was trying to reach Harper.”

“She’s not here, Ms. Martini,” he said his voice a breathless rush. “The police came. They … they arrested her. They arrested Harper.” His voice caught. “They think she had something to do with Dan’s … Mr. Trados’s death. I told them they were wrong. I told them it was impossible. I was here that night. I was here with Harper all night. She never left. But they didn’t listen. Jesus. This is a nightmare. I don’t know what to do.”

“Don’t worry, Devin,” I said. “We’ll take care of it. Now, first things first. Where’s Gracie?”

“I have her. I’m going to stay here with her.”

“Okay, Devin. That’s good. Second question, did someone call Harper’s lawyer?”

“Yes,” he said. “Her dad is taking care of it. They’re going to meet her at the police station.”

“Good.”

“But how do I help Harper?” he asked his voice desperate. “I mean, she didn’t kill Dan. God knows he was horrible to her, but she’s too good of a person to ever kill someone. I mean …”

“Devin,” I interrupted him, “I have to ask you something, and I want you to be honest—”

“Yes,” Devin said in a rush, “I love her. I know it probably sounds crazy. There is an age difference … but she’s an amazing woman. She’s like no one I’ve ever met. But nothing happened. I mean, nothing until …”

“Devin,” I interrupted him again, a bit firmer this time, “I’m going to ask you to stop talking right now for several reasons, not the least of which is that I want to be able to truthfully say I don’t know what happened between you and Harper. The only thing I want to know is whether you were telling me the truth about spending the night at Harper’s.”

Devin answered immediately. “I was here all night,” he said. “I swear.”

“Good,” I answered. “Did either of you go out without the other that night?”

This time Devin didn’t answer immediately. Finally, he said, “I … I went to the drug store at one point to get some baby Tylenol.”

“How long were you gone?”

“I … I’m not sure. The first place I went to didn’t have the right kind, so it took me longer than I thought it would.”

“How long?” I repeated.

“About forty minutes,” he said, his voice barely a whisper.

I thanked Devin and hung up. Forty minutes. Dan’s work apartment was only ten minutes from where he and Harper lived. I knew Harper would never leave Gracie alone, but the police might have other ideas.