“Of course.”
Sam texted Charity that they were ready to proceed with the Mayfield interrogation that she would witness from an adjoining observation room.
“After this, we’ll have to brief the media,” Malone said. “We need to announce Luna’s murder and that we have suspects in custody. We’re not announcing that other kids have been found in units rented by Mayfield until we have time to figure out who they are and who they belong to. We can announce that additional charges are expected.”
“I’ll be right there through the whole thing.”
“Let’s get this done. I want justice for that sweet little girl and the other kids he’s harmed.”
Sam knew he was thinking of his own daughter, Mel, and his young granddaughter as he walked toward the room where Asher Mayfield was being guarded by Officer Montgomery.
The young patrolman nodded to Malone and Sam.
“Nice to see you, Officer Montgomery,” Sam said. “It’s been a minute.” He’d been first on the scene when she and Nick had been chased into a rollover car crash early in their relationship. She’d been knocked unconscious, but Nick had later told her that Montgomery had been critical to their survival.
“Yes, ma’am. Good to see you as well.” He tipped his head toward the interrogation room. “This guy’s a piece of work. Full of himself.”
“He’s a fucking monster,” Malone said.
Charity Miller joined them in the hallway. “I just read the preliminary report. Tell me we’ve got this guy nailed.”
“Not completely, but hopefully we will after this.”
“What about the son?”
“Let’s see what the DNA shows, and then we’ll figure out what to do about him,” Malone said. “It’s possible he didn’t participate in what was done to Luna.”
“What’s your gut on that?” Charity asked.
“I honestly don’t know if the dad acted alone once he got what he needed from Brecken, Ethan and Tomas,” Malone said. “Or if Brecken was involved in the whole plan and execution. That’s part of what I aim to find out.”
Lindsey McNamara came down the hallway, carrying two manila folders that she handed to Malone and Charity. “Preliminary photos.”
Sam swallowed hard. She so did not want to look at those photos.
Lindsey’s expression conveyed the empathy that made her so good at her job. “You may want to prepare yourselves.”
With justice for Luna front of mind, Sam forced herself to look at the images that depicted a brutal physical and sexual assault. Bile burned her throat as she tried to remain professional and focused on the task at hand. Inside, however, she broke for Luna and her devoted parents.
“Good God,” Charity whispered as she closed the file.
Her face looked like it had been bleached of all color.
Sam reached out a hand to her.
Charity took her hand and gave it a squeeze.
Then they shook it off as best they could, determined to make sure that the man, or men, who’d tortured and killed Luna never saw the light of day outside prison again.
They burst into the room, as they often did, but this guy… Oh, he was a cool customer. He wasn’t rattled by the sudden entrance of detectives, but he did cast a smarmy little grin Sam’s way.
“Oh wow, I’m honored. I get the first lady.”
“Shut the fuck up, Mayfield.” Malone turned on the recording device and recited the names of those present in the room and in observation. Then he recited the Miranda warning. “Do you understand these rights as they’ve been presented to you?”
“Yep. Nothing I haven’t heard before.” Asher had the same wavy dark hair as his son with hard hazel eyes that were the same shade as Nick’s, but with none of the warmth that his had.
“You must be so proud of your extensive criminal history,” Malone said.
