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“You’re reading too much into it. She’s upset. Anyone would be in her shoes. Besides, we’ve got Corrine. If Amy was positive, Corrine should be as well. She spent twenty-four hours straight with the guy. She’s not gonna forget his face. You can be in the room this time. If you promise to behave and not say a word.”

I didn’t get a chance to retort. A deputy walked Corrine Egan into the room. She looked terrified. Small. She wore the same blouse and skirt she had when we first met her with the rest of the task force. Like that day, she held her purse in front of her like a shield. When she saw me, her face filled with relief.

“I’m so glad you’re here, Ms. Sobel. I almost didn’t come.”

“I’m glad you did,” I said. “Why don’t you have a seat. I can explain what’s going to happen. There’s nothing for you to worry about.”

Roy excused himself. I imagined he planned to hunt down McCallister and apologize to her for my attitude. I didn’t want to offend the woman, but I had legitimate concerns. This case had to be rock solid. Even though I wouldn’t be the one trying Gretchen Small’s murder, I had a vested interest in making sure this lineup was conducted properly. I would not let a single mistake happen during Corrine’s ID.

“He’ll be here?” Corrine asked. “Right over there?” She pointed to the window behind us.

“The suspects will be there,” I said, careful with my words. “Don’t let anyone pressure you, okay? You take your time.”

Corrine nodded. “I never thought things would get this far. I’d pretty much lost all hope, you know?”

“It’s okay,” I said. “You’ve been very brave.”

“What if it is him? Matt.”

I hoped it was. I think I wanted it more than Corrine did. Let this be the end of it. Let Matt Woodson walk in and stand against that wall. Then this could be over. I could laugh at myself for thinking such ridiculous things and letting my imagination get the best of me. For weeks, it had come between Lock and me. This secret. This Great Thing I couldn’t tell him. It would be over. Today. I had to be very careful not to let any of that show on my face. Otherwise, I might risk doing the very thing I’d just accused Detective McCallister of.

“You ready in here?” McCallister poked her head in. Roy scooted past her and said a quick hello to Corrine.

“I want to just get it over with,” she said.

“Good enough,” McCallister said. She looked over her shoulder and signaled to someone down the hall. Then she stepped into the room with us and closed the door.

McCallister closed a blackout curtain in front of the window while her colleague set things up on the other side. Corrine stood close to me. Beads of sweat dotted her brow. She trembled.

McCallister looked at her. “Tell me when you’re ready.”

Corrine nodded. “Could I get a glass of water?”

McCallister stepped out. A moment later, she came back and handed Corrine a small water bottle. Corrine didn’t drink it. She just gripped it.

“You’re sure they can’t see me?” Corrine asked. A valid and common question for witnesses in her shoes. That one-way glass could feel very thin between a victim and the suspect who may have committed unspeakable violence against them.

“We’re sure,” I said. “It’s opaque on the other side, plus they’ll have bright lights directly in their eyes. They can only hear the deputy in the booth in front of them. You’re safe.”

“What if I can’t be sure?” she said.

“There’s nothing wrong with that either,” I said. “Just take your time.”

“Are you ready?” McCallister asked.

Corrine grabbed my arm. I put a gentle hand over hers, reassuring her. “This is a safe space, Corrine. Promise. It’s okay, Corrine. I’m right here.”

“I’m okay,” she said. “I can do this.”

McCallister gave her a tight smile, then reopened the blackout curtain.

Five men walked in. I later learned two were other deputies in plain clothes. One was the sheriff himself as he fit the height and general description Amy gave to the sketch artist. Another man worked as a civilian clerk downstairs. The fifth man was the actual suspect. Roy told me just before we arrived, his name was Daniel Palicki.

They didn’t look how I expected. Every one of them had a closely cropped buzz cut. They all had beards and muscular physiques. Each one was handsome with piercing eyes that seemed to cut right through the glass. If any of these men were Corrine’s Matt Woodson, or Lara Pasko’s mystery date, he had changed his appearance. I tried to imagine Amy Pasko’s police sketch. The faces in front of me had definite similarities. Strong jaws. A cleft in the chin. Amy had wanted us to believe she was so sure of her ID. I don’t know if I could be. I now realized how critical it was for Corrine to be able to make a positive ID. It would be a long shot for Amy’s ID to hold up in court. She’d seen this man briefly. Corrine was now the key.

The five men stood against the wall, squinting against the harsh lighting. The deputy at the microphone admonished two of the men to take their hands away from their eyes.

Seconds ticked by. Corrine stood mute beside me. Her hand on my sleeve growing clammy. She kept her head down, afraid to look up. Then, she slowly lifted her chin, letting her eyes scan the men one by one.