5
ROMI
“Ma’am, if you could just take me through events on the day your mother went missing.”
“Romina, please.”
“I’m sorry?”
“My name is Romina or Ms. Mendez, not ma’am.”
I never used to correct people, quite the opposite. One time, I’d introduced myself to a photographer’s assistant as Romina from Stellar Wild—the agency that represented me—and she’d gotten confused and called me Stella for the entire day. But Davis had taught me to be more assertive.
“My apologies, Romina. Would you mind taking me through the day?”
“Hasn’t Luca already done that?”
“He has, but I’d like to hear it in your words.”
“I was only six years old. I don’t remember a whole lot.”
“Anything you can recall could prove useful.”
Detective Payne settled back in his seat and took a sip of coffee. He seemed co
