I answered truthfully.

“I told her I’d think about it. And when she sent me the instructions, I said okay.”

There was a pause.

Then I added,

“But I never agreed to give false information to the court.”

The interview lasted forty-one minutes.

When it ended, I sent Nicole a message.

“Done.”

She replied almost instantly.

A red heart appeared on my screen.

Then:

*“Knew I could count on you.”*

I stared at the message for a long moment.

She still believed I’d protected her lie.

She had no idea what I’d actually told the investigator.

A few days later, Ms. Pruitt’s report was released to the attorneys.

I was at work when my phone began ringing.

Nicole.

Again.

And again.

I ignored the calls.

Then Dan sent me a message.

*“Teresa just told me what happened. Micah, I don’t even know what to say.”*