Page 37 of Breathe Me In

I liked that answer. The sudden thought of her being intimate with someone else bothered me.

“Well, that’s a lot of info.” I jumped out of the way when she swatted me.

“Don’t blame me for being wound up,” she scoffed. “I’m only human.”

“A horny human, you mean.”

Her face lit up. “Not after tonight.”

That caught my attention. “You got a date?”

“I do.” That hit me in the stomach like a dumbbell, not that I’d show it. “Something like that.”

“Well, I’m happy for you.” I ground my teeth. I sat up straight as Oliver opened the door.

“Sorry, my client got tangled in the ropes.” He tried to hide his amusement. “It’s a thing. I know why you’re here.” The weight of what happened to his girlfriend grew evident on his face. “Ms. Jaminson, you said you only wanted to ask a few questions, so I’ve got ten minutes before my next client. Whatever you need to ask, ask. I want to help you find this sicko.”

Bree took the lead. “Great. I’ll get right to the point.” As she was the one who’d found the iPad, it was right that she would run the show here—plus she had a way with people that I didn’t. I enjoyed watching her work. “I appreciate you taking the time to talk with us. Excuse me if I’m blunt, but does Shelly have a TikTok account?”

His head dropped forward, and he let out a sigh. “She did have an account, but after an argument she promised to get rid of it when we were six months into us dating.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Because she was talking to a guy on there, and when I found out, I was pissed.”

“She was cheating?” Bree pulled out her phone.

“Not physically, but emotionally she was, yes.” He sank into a chair. “It was her professor.” He licked his lips. “Look, I want to sit here and toss that shithead under the bus. I’d like to point a finger and say he killed her, but it’d be a lie. It wasn’t him.”

I leaned forward. “How are you so sure?”

“Because he died three months ago from complicated surgery or something. The guy was like in his forties. If you ask me, fate just stepped in.”

Bree closed her eyes, and I could see she was frustrated that her lead might have just gone cold.

With one last effort to save the lead, I pulled out the iPad from Bree’s purse. I clicked it on and opened the app before I turned it around so he could see it.

“At the risk of upsetting you further, I have to ask you something.”

“Brad.” Bree bit her lip, clearly unsure of what Oliver’s reaction would be. “Maybe we . . .”

I looked back to Oliver, who squinted at the screen. “I see.” His face went through a series of painful emotions.

“Do you have any idea who this is?” I pointed at the Puff the Magic guy’s name. “Or why he’d be all over her page?”

“No, but I’m not on that platform. All that is like a different world to me. I use Instagram for work, because I have to. I’m not much for posting.”

“I get it.” Bree reached over and turned off the screen. “I’m sorry. I’m sure that’s hard to see.”

“I should have known she still had that account. She gave it up too easily.” He looked at his watch and stood to show he needed to go. “Shelly was in her prime and had everything going for her. Things came easy to her. I’m here working overtime just trying to make it through school without any help.”

Bree squeezed his forearm. “That’s admirable, Oliver, and will count to the right person. Again, thanks for meeting with us. Just keep faith we’ll find this guy.”

“Thanks.” He shook my hand and smiled warmly at Bree. “You know where to find me.”

He left, and Bree groaned as the door closed. “Dammit.”

I understood the feeling of thinking you were onto something and then having the door slammed shut in your face. “I saw a coffee shop next door.”