“Deflower you!” he choked out. “You mean he tried to rape you?” “No!” She whirled on him with a look of alarm. “I-I told you, it wasn’t like that! I mean, it wasn’t…” She dropped her gaze to her hands. “Oh, I should never have said anything.” He struggled to restrain his anger. He was an investigator, for God’s sake—he ought to know by now that you didn’t get the truth out of someone by overreacting. Taking her gently by the arm, he led her over to the bed. “Start at the beginning.” He urged her to sit, then took a seat next to her, though not too close. She needed some distance just now. “Tell me what happened. I promise, I’ll just sit here and listen.” Even if it killed him, and it very well might. With a nod, she stared off across the room. “It was all my fault, really.” “It was not your fault,” he snapped. She eyed him askance.
