Exiting her bedroom, he went outside to discover her still standing, staring upwards at the sky.

"Did you by any chance see the sheriff?" she inquired.

"You have a talent for listening in when it's not wanted?"

"I saw him leave."

"Yes, you did."

"What did he say?" she asked.

He looked at her, seeing the expectation in her eyes. Was this still a performance? Nothing had changed.

"You did quiz him, didn't you?"

"He told you never spoke of Derek. Just accused me of rape."

"What?"

"Just drop the ...