“I won’t lie for you,” I said.

“It’s not lying,” Victoria said. “It’s settling.”

“It’s what smart people do,” she added.

Before I could answer, the screen of my old phone lit up in my pocket.

It buzzed against my hip, a sudden, sharp vibration in the tense silence of the room.

I didn’t want to take my eyes off Victoria, but the phone kept buzzing.

I reached slowly into my pocket with my free hand.

I pulled the phone out and looked down at the small screen.

It was a text message from the Attorney.

My eyes scanned the short message.

*Eleanor, do not sign anything they offer you. The sheriff is already on his way to the house.*

I looked up from the screen.

Victoria’s eyes were fixed on the phone in my hand, her expression turning suspicious.

“Who is texting you?” she asked.

The sound of tires crunching on the gravel driveway downstairs echoed through the open window behind me.