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Tina shook her head “I dunno”

Realizing that this dance could go on forever, I dropped the subject for the ti

“You ever do drugs, Tina?”

“Naw,” she said, her head bowed

“Ever drink?”

She shook her head, eyes glued to her lap

“Look at et the distinct feeling you’re not being straight with ht with me”

“That ain’t the way I heard it”

“Then you heard wrong When I ask you a question, I want to hear the truth If it’s the ugly truth, so be it But if you lie toeither of us any favors” I paused to take a breath and looked at Tina, who still wouldn’t look back “Now, gang or no gang, were you and your friends drinking or doing any drugs that night?”

“Ah-ight We was getting a little high, yeah But we just did some weed is all Really”

If that were true—and that was a big if—I could believe she hadn’t killed anyone that night Unlike a drinker, a pot s of Cheetos from a 7-Eleven than beat someone to death

“And did anyone other than the girls and Rochelle’s mom see you there?”

She fidgeted in her chair “Naw They the only ones knohere I was”

“How about Rochelle’s neighbors? Did any of them see you or stop by while you were there?”

“I dunno I don’t think so”