43

Friday morning, Katie’s phone rang as she was clearing up her breakfast dishes. She was relieved to see Gabrielle’s name pop up on the screen. Katie had texted and left voice messages since Wednesday evening after Gabrielle had texted she was fine, and she’d not heard back from her.

“Gabrielle, hi,” Katie said.

There was silence on the line. Then Katie heard Gabrielle sniffle.

“What’s the matter? Are you okay?”

“I have the alibi you were looking for. Russell says he had a date on the night that Heather Stone was killed and they were together all evening.”

That wasn’t what he had told the police, but Katie didn’t want to argue with Gabrielle.

“Oh, good,” Katie said. “Thank you.”

“He also has an alibi for Monday night,” Gabrielle said. “He was with one of his grad students. All night. After he canceled plans with me.” Gabrielle’s voice cracked.

“Gabrielle, I’m so sorry,” Katie said. She wished she were with her in person. Gabrielle dated a lot of guys, and she almost never got upset when they moved on. Usually it was Gabrielle doing the breaking up.

“No, it’s fine. I’m glad I found out now. It’s better this way.”

Katie wondered if that was true. No matter when you found out, betrayal was betrayal. And she felt responsible on some level. She had pushed Gabrielle to question Russell. But would it have been better for Gabrielle to get even more attached? Katie didn’t know. Maybe Gabrielle would have gotten bored and none of this heartache would have happened.

While she was sorry that Gabrielle was so miserable, she didn’t think she would believe Russell’s alibi until he produced this mysterious grad student. And she had passed a lie detector test. Russell had chosen a good story. Just shocking enough to sound true, hoping that Gabrielle and Katie would not try to follow up on it.

“I know what will cheer you up,” Katie said.

Gabrielle sniffled. “What’s that?”

“Watching me try to stay on the Halloween float while dressed as a pumpkin.”

“Oh my God. Yes. That will go a long way toward making the world right again.”

“Parade starts at six o’clock.”

“I’ll be there.”