Got it.
I’ll arrange transport and send you the details.
She felt a little sick thinking of the kids losing both parents so suddenly, but that wasn’t her fault or her problem. Or so she tried to tell herself. As someone who’d lost a parent suddenly, she could attest to the lifelong fallout ahead for the Carver kids.
As she left the hotel room, she took everything with her so she could head right to the airport with her prisoners.
When she was en route to the police station, she received a call from Williams.
“Your targets are packing up the minivan and not even trying to be coy about it. We suggest you go right there to make the arrests. We’ll back you up.”
“Got it. On the way.”
Adrenaline zipped through her veins as she navigated workday traffic in the scenic city on her way to the Carver home. She crossed a suspension bridge over the Spokane River, noting signs for an upcoming Lilac Festival. As she entered the Carvers’ neighborhood, she spotted Patrol cars parked a few blocks from the house and parked behind them. Before she got out of the car, she pulled two sets of handcuffs from her backpack and strapped on her service weapon.
Detective Williams saw her coming and waved her over, handing her a bulletproof vest.
“Thank you.” Neveah put on the vest and tightened the Velcro straps.
“Our SWAT team is surrounding the house. We’re waiting for word that they’re ready. When they give us the go-ahead, we’ll drive you over there to make the arrest.”
“Appreciate all the great support.”
“Wait until you read the messages between the sister and the professional hit men she hired to take out the brother-in-law on her sister’s behalf and how they wanted it to look like a drug deal gone wrong. They weren’t even careful about what they said because they never expected to be caught.”
“They wanted us to see the drugs and jump to that conclusion,” Neveah said.
“The thing is, if they’d killed him in the room with the drugs all around, you might not have investigated further.”
“Exactly.”
“SWAT is good to go, Detective,” one of the Patrol officers said to Williams.
“Let’s roll,” Williams said. “You can ride with us.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Neveah got into the back seat of an unmarked car for the short ride to the Carver home, which was abuzz with activity. The hatchback of the red Dodge minivan was open as Mercy attempted to load another suitcase into a space already tightly packed with luggage and baby equipment.
“Detective Charles, it’s all yours.”
She swallowed hard and nodded as she got out of the car.
“Going somewhere?” she asked Mercy, taking the other woman by surprise.
“We’re going to Coeur d’Alene to see our parents.”
“Seems like you’re taking a lot of stuff for a visit.”
“Do you know how much equipment is needed for babies and young kids?”
“I can’t say that I do, but the thing is… You’re under arrest for planning the murder-for-hire of your brother-in-law Dale Carver.” Before the words had registered, Neveah had the woman cuffed with her arms behind her back.
A Spokane officer took the screaming woman to a Patrol car. Accompanied by SWAT team members, Neveah and Williams approached the open door, weapons drawn, looking for Trisha.
“Hold up.” Williams leaned in to gauge the situation inside since he had the better view from his side. “Clear.”
They entered the house and fanned out, looking for Trisha and her children.
