Free Terror in Taffeta by Marla Cooper Page A

hadn’t been there, and I certainly didn’t want to get Zoe into any more trouble than she was already in. “I don’t know what Zoe did or didn’t have access to. I’m sorry.”
    He snapped his notepad shut. “Okay. If you decide you do have anything useful to tell me, you know where to find me. Thank you for your time, Miss McKenna.”
    â€œThank you for your time”? As if I had come there to help him? What I’d come there for was to convince him that he had the wrong girl, but he hadn’t listened to a word I’d said.
    He led me back to the front office, me fuming silently and him ignoring me. After dropping me at the entrance, he retreated behind the swinging doors. I stared after him, silently cursing my luck. I hadn’t helped at all. If anything, I’d just made it worse.
    As long as I was there, I decided to see if they’d let me speak to Zoe. After leaving me to wait half an hour on a seriously uncomfortable metal bench, a guard ushered me back to the visiting room. The decor was sparse—no surprise there. Just a smattering of beat-up tables and chairs occupied by anxious-looking prisoners conferring with lawyers and family members. The guard pointed me over to where Zoe sat. She seemed just as anxious as the others but looked seriously out of place in the harsh surroundings. I was happy to see they hadn’t put her in an orange jumpsuit yet, although she was wearing handcuffs.
    â€œKelsey!” she exclaimed. “Thank God you’re here!” The dark circles under her eyes accentuated her “just spent the night in jail” look.
    â€œHi, Zoe,” I said, pulling up a chair across from her. The legs screeched loudly across the concrete floor, causing the guard to scowl at me. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry about all this. Is your mom here?”
    â€œYou just missed her. She was going to go yell at the guards because I haven’t gotten breakfast yet,” she said, rolling her eyes.
    â€œDon’t worry,” I said, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand. “I’m sure they’ll realize it’s all a big mistake.”
    The guard cleared his throat and tilted his chin in my general direction. Taking the hint, I released Zoe’s hand and made sure all my limbs were on my side of the table.
    Zoe’s bloodshot eyes searched mine for any glimmer of hope. “Kelsey, you’ve got to get me out of here!”
    â€œI wish I could. I tried. They didn’t listen to me. In fact—well, never mind. Are you doing okay? Is there anything I can bring you?”
    â€œI don’t know. I’m scared. Really scared.” She tried propping her head on one hand before realizing there was no comfortable way to pull that pose off wearing handcuffs, then dejectedly put both hands in her lap.
    â€œI know. I’m sorry.”
    Zoe shook her head helplessly. “This is so unfair! Sure, I hated Dana, but I didn’t want her dead!”
    â€œI know, Zoe. This is just a misunderstanding. I’m sure your mom and dad will have you out in no time.”
    â€œHave you met my mom? She won’t exactly help my case. She’s just going to piss the police off more!”
    I shrugged, not sure what to say. She might have had a point there.
    â€œIn the meantime, Dad’s dealing with some work crisis,” she continued, her eyes welling up with tears, “and I don’t know when he’s coming back.”
    â€œI’m sure he’ll be back as soon as he can get here,” I reassured her.
    She swiped at her cheek and stared up at the ceiling, avoiding eye contact. “I know. He said he’d come back as soon as he can, but his company lost a big account, and he’s fighting for his job. He was barely able to get away for the wedding.” She blew out a deep breath.
    â€œI wish I could help, but I don’t know what to do!”
    Her eyes welled with