Effie shook her head. "No need, I''ve already agreed. I just texted Ms. Cooper to set up a meeting—we''ll go over her requirements for the jewelry design in detail."


    Shirley sighed. "I wish I could go with you, but they''ve got me assisting Peter now."


    Irving Butler, knowing she and Effie were close, had made a point of splitting them up.


    "It''s fine. I can handle the first meeting on my own. By the time you''re done with your assignments, I''ll probably have most of the prep work finished. Then you can help me out," Effie said reassuringly.


    "Alright," Shirley replied.


    For now, Shirley was just an assistant, there to help the designers with simple tasks-she couldn''t take on her own projects yet.


    Her dream was to be an independent designer one day.


    Shirley had graduated with honors from a prestigious university, hoping she''d finally have the chance to shine here. But with people like Irving Butler around, it felt like that day would nevere.


    Effie''s arrival had changed everything. Shirley felt as if Effie was a ray of light sent just for her, and she was determined to hold onto that hope.


    Effie confirmed the meeting ce with Ms. Cooper. When it was almost time, she grabbed her things and headed out.


    She had just reached the parking lot and was unlocking her car when two police officers approached her.


    "Excuse me, are you Effie?" one of them asked.


    Effie''s eyes narrowed in suspicion. Still, she nodded. "Yes, I am."


    "We''re with the Western District Police Department. There''s been a report using you of aggravated assault. We need you toe with us to the station for questioning.” The officer shed his badge.


    Effie studied the badge carefully; it looked legitimate.


    Aggravated assault?


    The first thing that popped into Effie''s mind was that sleazy creep, Hanley-the one whose... unfortunate ident had happened back on Whisperhollow Isle.


    Hadn''t Randell and the others already taken care of that mess? Why was iting up again now?


    Still, she didn''t resist and quietly followed the officers.


    At the station, the truth became clear. It really was about Hanley.


    "The victim ims you used excessive force in self-defense and are therefore being charged with aggravated assault. Do you admit to this offense?"


    Effie frowned. Ever since she''d arrived, they''d been bombarding her with the same questions, circling around and around. She told them she wouldn''t answer a single thing until her attorney was present.


    But it was like talking to a wall. The officers acted as if they hadn''t heard a word.


    Harsh lights red down on her, making it nearly impossible to keep her eyes open.


    The interrogation room was stifling and hot. Within minutes, she was drenched in sweat, her clothes clinging to her ufortably.


    "I... need to see mywyer," Effie managed, her voice hoarse from hours without water. The relentless spotlight was making her mouth unbearably dry, her throat burning.


    Still, the officers showed no reaction, as if they simply couldn''t hear her.


    "Fine. If you won''t talk, we''ll just wait you out."


    Outside the interrogation room, a cell phone kept ringing-on and off, over and


    over.


    "Whose phone is that? Seriously, can someone turn it off?"


    "Pretty sure it''s that woman''s."


    "She''s stubborn. Kept insisting she needed herwyer."


    "Should we check who''s calling?"