Brecken’s Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat.
“Do you want to try that again?” Avery asked.
“I don’t know her or those other kids.”
They said nothing, simply staring at him until he began to sweat.
Jake slapped his hand on the table, startling Brecken. “Where is she, Brecken?”
“I don’t know!”
“So now you’re admitting you know her?” Avery asked.
“I know of her.”
“Why did you lie when I asked you about her before?”
“I’m scared! I don’t know what to say! I’ve never been arrested before.”
“You can drop the act. We’ve seen your record.”
“How’s that possible? Juvenile records are supposed to be sealed.”
Interesting that he knew that and had been perhaps counting on that info remaining inaccessible, Jake thought. “When you’re involved in adult-level crimes, adult-level access applies.”
“That doesn’t seem fair.”
“Did your dad tell you what to do if you were taken into custody?”
Brecken seemed incredulous as he shook his head. “He’s never been arrested.”
Jake pushed Asher’s rap sheet across the table for his son to see. “He’s been arrested more than twenty times.”
Brecken scanned the pages that detailed Asher Mayfield’s criminal history. “I… I didn’t know.”
“Why do I smell bullshit in the air, Agent Hill?”
“Maybe because the air is thick with it.”
“Do you know what an incel is?”
He looked up, eyes big, mouth agape. “What about it?”
“Are you an incel, Brecken?” Avery asked.
“What? No. I’m not involved with that stuff.”
Which meant he knew what it was since he didn’t ask what it meant. “Your devices are being examined by our IT detectives as we speak,” Jake said. “Do you want to think about your answer to Agent Hill’s question?”
“D-don’t you have to have a warrant or something for that?”
“We’ve got one. How do you know about warrants?”
“From TV. Law & Order.”
“You’re a fan of that show?” Jake asked.
He shrugged. “I’ve seen some of it.”
