He shrugged. “What can you do? Shit happens.”
Malone put a printout on the table that detailed Mayfield’s long rap sheet. “Shit seems to happen to you more often than most.”
“I’m misunderstood.”
“Are you, though?”
“What can I say? People piss me off.”
Malone put a school photo of Luna on the table. “What’d she do to piss you off?”
“Who’s that?”
“Oh please. Like you don’t recognize the girl who disrespected your son and sent you into a murderous rage.”
“I’ve never seen her before in my life.”
Malone laughed. “That’s not what your son said.”
Mayfield’s entire disposition changed. He sat up straighter, his smile fading. “He never told you anything about me.”
“Is that what you think?” Malone put the photos of Luna’s battered body on the table. “How do you think we found her? And what do you think the DNA will tell us?”
Mayfield glanced down at the photos, seeming incredulous as a muscle twitched in his cheek. “I’d like an attorney.”
“I’ll bet you would. Who should we call?”
“It’s not like I’ve got someone on retainer.”
“Oh, funny. I would’ve thought a guy like you would have an attorney on speed dial. Or did you not pay the last guy?” Without giving him the chance to reply, Malone said, “I’ll call the public defender. Will probably be a day or two before they send someone over.” Malone pressed the recorder to end the interview and headed for the door with Sam.
“I can’t wait to tell all my friends I met the first lady. They think you’re a hot piece, but you’re probably a bitch like all the others.”
Sam couldn’t resist turning back to him. “Oh, I am a hot piece, and like all the others, I want nothing to do with you.”
The look of pure hatred he gave her made it worth dignifying his comment with a reply.
“Well said,” Malone muttered when they were in the hallway.
“Sorry you had to hear that about, you know… the hotness of my piece.”
He barked out a laugh, which was a welcome sound after a grim few hours.
Charity joined them in the hallway. “I’ll be looking for the DNA and autopsy reports while I prepare to file charges.”
“Are you including the son?” Sam asked.
“At least for participating in the kidnapping of Ethan and Tomas, with possibly more charges coming depending on what the DNA says.”
“We’ll get Lindsey’s report to you as soon as we have it,” Malone said.
“I’ll be back in touch.”
After Charity walked away, Malone leaned back against the tan concrete wall, closed his eyes and exhaled.
Sam stood next to him, providing silent support to someone who was always there for her.
“I’m never going to forget this one.”
