Page 169 of Random in Death

“Gosh, this is breaking my heart. Of course he had to kill those girls.”

“Right.” Reo eased down on the corner of the desk, a better bet than the ass-biting visitor’s chair. “He had to try, that’s his job. And I called bullshit, which is mine. He tried his first deal. Juvie, mandatory counseling, five years’ probation upon release.”

“Oh please.”

Reo batted her pretty eyes.

“I believe I said about the same in about the same dismissive tone. His next move will be to try for twenty, on-planet, pointing out that the boy—and he’ll make sure to call him that—will have spent more time in prison than he’s currently spent alive.”

“Two girls aren’t alive, two more were attacked and traumatized.”

“Which is why there’ll be no such deal. He knows this. He has to try. He knows I’ll be observing, so he may pause the interview to take that swing. He will miss.

“I can’t say what the father’s told him, what the son’s told him. But you’ll do what you do, then I’ll do what I do.”

“He may pause to take that swing, but I know Francis Bryce, and before I’m finished, he’s going to admit to all of it. On record.”

She pushed up as she heard footsteps. She knew Nadine’s stride.

And when the reporter stepped in, along with Jake and, damn it, Quilla, she simply said, “No.”

“I’ve already reported on the arrest. It’s all over the media—along with vids taken by several civilians who witnessed your takedown.”

Nadine held up a hand for peace. “I anticipate you’re going to take him into Interview this morning. I’m not going to ask you for a one-on-one—though I wouldn’t turn it down. We just need to be here.”

“You can’t observe.” Eve pointed to each in turn. “Civilian, reporter, minor.”

“We’re not asking that, either. We just need to be here. I know you can kick us out. I’m asking you not to.”

Eve rubbed the back of her neck. “Go down to the Eatery or somewhere. You’ll get word when we’re done. You were helpful,” she said to Quilla.

“I was?”

“Yes. You get your interview in Homicide.”

Quilla pumped both fists in the air. “Score!”

“When Detective Sergeant Jenkinson tells you it’s convenient. I stand for Jenna now, Jake. And for all of them. You stand down now.”

He nodded. “He’s really a kid?”

“Age doesn’t matter with monsters.”

“Come on, gang.” Reo began herding them out. “Dallas has to do her thing so I can do mine. Quilla, I love that shade of purple in your hair.”

“You’d look mag in it.”

“Maybe next vacation I’ll try it. Gotta look serious in court.”

And in Interview, Eve thought, frying up a monster.

Chapter Twenty-three

Francis didn’t wear orange well, and the shadows under his eyes made it seem all the more wrong.

Beside him, his lawyer looked sharp and savvy, golden brown skin, a wave of curly black hair, a serious dark gray suit.

On the other side of Francis, his father looked pale, exhausted, and miserable.