"Even Yale's walls felt hostile."
The police station meeting lasted two hours.
Detective Shaw had been professional but skeptical. He'd taken statements. Reviewed evidence. Promised to investigate. But Silver could see it in his eyes. The doubt. The assumption that this was just college drama blown out of proportion.
By the time she and Eli left, it was nearly noon. Campus was buzzing with lunch crowds. Students everywhere. And every single one seemed to be staring.
"Let's take the back way," Eli suggested, steering her away from the main paths.
But there was no avoiding it. Even the side routes had students. Some pointed. Others whispered. A few were bold enough to take photos.
Silver kept her head down, hood pulled up, moving fast.
They were almost to her residential college when someone called out. "Hey, isn't that the girl who faked her injury?"
Silver's steps faltered. Eli's hand tightened on hers.
"Keep walking," he said quietly.
