The rhythmic crash of waves against the shore provided a false sense of calm as I sat across from Jack, his confession hanging in the humid air.
“They accused you of stealing the necklace?” I repeated, incredulous.
Jack’s jaw tightened. “Yes. It was absurd, but grief does strange things to people. They couldn’t accept that she was... gone. They tried to bring me down in every way possible. Since there was no proof of murdering her, the necklace was all they had. And when I couldn’t prove where it was, they sued me for emotional damages, claiming I’d taken it to profit off their daughter’s death.”
His voice carried a bitterness I’d never heard before, and for a moment, I saw past the confident façade of a man still haunted by ghosts.
“Did you?” I asked, my words hesitant but nec
