“Have you ever passed out from drinking alcohol before?” As much as Morgan hated it, Haley’s entire life and lifestyle would be under scrutiny.

“Yes. Once.” Haley sniffed. “After a frat party freshman year. There were tequila shots and beer and something the fraternity called jungle juice, which tasted like spiked fruit punch. I blacked out. But I had a lot more than two drinks, and I vomited for an entire day afterward. When I woke up at Noah’s, I was confused and foggy, but I wasn’t hangover-sick like that.” Haley’s posture stiffened with resolve. “I couldn’t have passed out drunk and not been violently ill the next day.”

“I agree.”

But was Haley being truthful? Her story was bizarre, and she wouldn’t be the first defendant to lie to her attorney. She wouldn’t even be the first client to lie to Morgan this week.

Morgan moved on. “Do you have an ex-boyfriend?”

Haley cocked her head. “Yes. Kieran Hart.” She spelled the name for Morgan. “And now that you mention it, he was at Beats Friday night.”

“Did you argue?”

“No. He said hi. I ignored him, and that was the end of it. We haven’t talked in more than six months, but there was no way I was opening up any line of communication with Kieran. When we were going out, he would text me constantly. He always had to know who I was with and when I was going to be home. I asked him to stop. When he wouldn’t, I shut that relationship down.”

“Was he ever violent or abusive?”

“Not exactly, but he was very controlling, and he lost his temper really quickly.” Haley twisted the tissue. She clearly had something to say that she was uncomfortable discussing. “This is really embarrassing.”

“Everything you say to me is in confidence. I won’t repeat it to anyone unless it’s essential for your defense. That said, it’s best I know everything that someone else might bring up against you. The more honest you are with me, the better I can defend you.”

Haley nodded. “I’d spent the night with Kieran. When I got up in the morning, he’d already left for the office. That wasn’t uncommon. He works long hours.” She looked away. “He left a rose, a croissant, and a thermal pot of coffee for me on the nightstand. I wanted to thank him. I went to his study, intending to write him a note. Kieran is very meticulous. When he comes home at night, he heads right into his study to stow his briefcase. I was looking for a Post-it when I found a photograph of me in his pencil drawer. He’d recently bought one of those retro Polaroid cameras. I was asleep in his bed. Naked.” Her face flushed.

“Did you confront him about the picture?” Morgan asked.

“I did. I called him immediately. He said he took the picture because he thought I was beautiful and didn’t think I’d mind. It wasn’t like he was posting it online. The photo was for his eyes only. We were lovers, so why did it matter if he had a nude picture of me?” Haley’s eyes flashed with anger. “When I said I didn’t appreciate him photographing me naked without my consent, he said I was a prude. I broke up with him right there and then, over the phone.”

“How did he take it?”

“Not well,” Haley said. “He texted and called me for a long time. But I don’t need a man I can’t trust in my life.” Haley tossed her crumpled tissue in a trash can next to the couch. “He didn’t understand why I felt violated.”

Morgan drew a box around Kieran Hart’s name. Was Haley’s ex at Beats by coincidence or had he followed her? “Do you have a picture of Kieran?”

Haley shook her head. “The police took my phone . . . Oh, wait. I have a cloud backup account.” She got up and went to a sleek computer on the desk and opened it.

“Didn’t the police take your computer?” Morgan asked.

“Yes. My mom bought me a new one. She knew I’d go nuts if I was totally cut off from the outside world. It’s bad enough that I’m trapped here.” Haley worked her keyboard like a pro. “Not that I’m not grateful to you for getting me out of jail. I am. So grateful. That place was . . .” Her eyes showed the disgust and fear she couldn’t seem to vocalize.

“I understand. House arrest is better than the county jail, but it’s not the vacation everyone thinks it is.”

A dozen keystrokes later, Haley emailed a photo to Morgan.

“Is there anyone else I should talk to?” Morgan asked. When Haley didn’t answer, Morgan prompted her with questions. “Did you notice anyone following you at the club?”

“No.”

“Is there anyone at your job who could be a threat?”

“No.”

“What is your boss like?”

“My boss is nice. She gives me space to do my job. I can’t think of anyone at work that’s a problem.” Haley yawned, and exhaustion dragged at her face. “I’m really tired, but I’m also wired.”

“I have one more question. Do you usually wear a medical alert bracelet?”

Haley nodded. “I do, but I can’t find it.”

“Were you wearing it Friday night?”

“I always wear it,” Haley said adamantly. “Always.”

“OK. Then that’s enough for now.” Morgan flipped the blank top sheet of paper over her notes. “Try not to think about the case any more tonight. Sometimes memories come back when you aren’t pressuring yourself to recall them. Do something that makes you relax and clears your head. Do not check your email or go on social media. In fact, I want you to deactivate your social media accounts for now.”

Haley seemed to deflate even more. “You realize social media is my whole job.”

“I’m sorry.” Morgan commiserated with her. “It’s just temporary. Social media is not a place you want to go right now. Trust me. Have you talked to your employer?”

“Not yet,” Haley said in a soft voice. “I’ll call tomorrow. Though I can’t go to work, so I might not even have a job anymore.” Even if she was ultimately found innocent, Haley’s life would be forever changed by the murder charge.

“Yes. That’s very likely.”

“You’re going to find out what happened to me, right?”

“We’re going to do everything we can,” Morgan said. “I want you to see a psychiatrist. If you experienced some sort of trauma, the right doctor can help with the aftereffects and perhaps help you recover the missing pieces of your memory.”

“I’m not sure I want to remember.”

Morgan thought not knowing would be worse, but maybe Haley’s mind had blocked the event because she couldn’t handle the truth.

“OK.” Haley reached for a game controller on the table. “I’m going to play some Call of Duty.”

Morgan would have thought a good book or favorite movie would have been better, but to each her own.

“Make sure you eat and get some rest.” Morgan stood and returned to the kitchen.

Sharp and Lance sat at the island drinking steaming liquid from white mugs.

Standing at the stove, Eliza lowered the flame under a pot. “How is she?”

“She needs some time to decompress.” Morgan gathered her notepad and tote.

“I know.” Eliza stirred the contents of her pot. “I just don’t know what to do to help her.”

“You’re doing everything you can.” Sharp lifted his mug.

“Morgan and I had planned to visit the club tonight.” Lance stood and carried his cup to the sink. “It opens soon.”

“I’ll stay with Eliza and Haley,” Sharp volunteered.

Eliza shook her head. “I called the security firm who handles Wild’s New York office. They’re sending a bodyguard this evening. He should be here within the hour.”

“That wasn’t necessary.” Sharp sounded irritated.

“It is,” Eliza said. “I’ve already told you that I won’t take advantage of you, Lincoln. Besides, you’re only one man. The agency will rotate bodyguards every twelve hours so one will always be on guard. And this leaves you free to investigate.”