Ryan stepped closer to the staircase, eyes never leaving Leah. “You weren’t careful this time,” he said, voice low.
Leah’s tears fell. “Ryan, what are you saying, ”
“There is evidence,” Ryan said.
Leah’s breath hitched. “Evidence of what? Your wife is missing and you’re blaming me? Ryan, you’re, ”
Chief Claude stepped forward, cutting through the rising tension. “Mrs. Ashbrook, we need you to come with us.”
Leah’s head snapped toward him, eyes wide, wounded. “Come with you? For what?”
“For questioning,” Chief Claude said, voice firm.
Leah’s voice rose. “This is my home. You can’t, ”
“We have cause,” the chief said. “And we have evidence.”
Leah looked down at Ryan like he had stabbed her. “Ryan… you’re letting them do this to me?”
Ryan’s face stayed carved in ice. “Tell me where s
