"That's how the prosecution will frame it. But Kari, I've dealt with activists for twenty years. There's a difference between angry rhetoric and actual violent intent. Hatathli is a lawyer—he's spent his entire career working within the system, filing motions and briefs, not committing murders. I'm just not sure about this."
"But you found his DNA at the crime scenes."
"Hair samples, yes. Not many—just a few strands at each location. But they match Hatathli's DNA profile. His DNA is in the system from a previous arrest at a protest years ago."
"Where specifically were the hairs found?"
"Garrison's office, near where the body was found. Hoffman's kitchen, on the floor by the table." Maria leaned forward. "Here's what bothers me—the hairs are the only physical evidence. No fingerprints, no footprints, no fibers, no trace evidence of any kind except these perfectly placed hair samples. It feels... staged."
"Like someone planted them."
"That's what I think. But try selling that to the brass when we've got DNA evidence and a suspect with clear motive and documented threats against the victims." Maria rubbed her face."The department is under enormous pressure on this one, Kari. Paradise Valley is where Phoenix's wealthiest residents live. Two of them murdered in their own homes? That's the kind of thing that makes powerful people nervous. They want this solved, they want someone in custody, and they want to feel safe again."
"And Hatathli fits the profile."
"Perfectly. Native American activist angry about cultural destruction, publicly threatening the people who caused that destruction, his DNA at both crime scenes." Maria shook her head. "It's too perfect. Like someone created the ideal suspect and gift-wrapped him for us."
Kari thought about David Lomatuway'ma, about how the Hopi case had seemed straightforward until she'd started looking closer at the details. Evidence could be misleading, especially when someone wanted it to be.
"Who else could have motive?" she asked.
"That's the problem—lots of people had reasons to dislike Garrison and Hoffman. The resort project was controversial, generated plenty of anger from environmental groups, indigenous communities, even some local residents who opposed the development. But none of them had their DNA at the crime scenes."
"Except someone could have collected Hatathli's DNA and planted it. Hair samples aren't hard to acquire if you have access to someone's space." Kari studied the crime scene photos again. "What about the weapon? Has it been recovered?"
"No. And that bothers me too. If Hatathli committed these murders, where's the gun? We searched his home, his office, his car—nothing. He either ditched it somewhere we haven't found, or he never had it in the first place."
"What does he say?"
"He lawyered up immediately. Public defender is good—Sharon Wolfe, she's been with the PD's office for the betterpart of two decades, knows her stuff. She's been reviewing all the evidence, wasn't ready to talk until today." Maria paused. "That's actually why I wanted you here. I need someone to talk to Hatathli who won't approach it as 'we know you're guilty, just confess.' Someone who can read him, see if he's really a killer or if we're being played. If I'm wrong about this, I want to know."
Kari smiled ruefully. "I'm not a miracle worker."
"No, but I value your perspective. Your ability to see past the obvious, to understand the cultural context without letting it blind you to the facts." Maria's expression was earnest. "You were always good at that, Kari. Reading people, understanding motivations that didn't fit neat categories. That's what this case needs."
Kari felt the significance of what Maria was asking. Interview a suspect in custody, evaluate whether he was capable of murder, do it in a way that respected both his rights and the complexity of indigenous activism. And do it all while Phoenix PD brass wanted a quick resolution and media outlets demanded answers.
"When can I talk to him?" Kari asked.
"Now, if you want. He and his lawyer are in Interview Room 2." Maria stood. "I'll be watching from observation. Take your time, get a feel for him. I trust your instincts on this."
They walked together through the station, Maria briefing Kari on additional details—timeline of the murders, witness statements, forensic reports. By the time they reached the interview rooms, Kari had a fuller picture of the case, though it raised more questions than it answered.
Maria stopped outside Interview Room 2, her hand on the door handle. "You ready for this?"
Kari looked at the closed door of Interview Room 2, knowing Thomas Hatathli waited on the other side. A man accused of two murders—now three—with DNA evidence against him butpossibly innocent. A man whose only crime might have been being too visible, too vocal, too perfect a scapegoat for someone with a more calculated plan.
"Ready as I'll ever be," Kari said.
Maria nodded and pushed open the door.
CHAPTER SIX
Interview Room 2 was smaller than Kari remembered, or maybe it just felt that way because she had gained so much experience since she'd last been in here.
Thomas Hatathli sat across from her, wearing slacks and a button-down shirt, now wrinkled from hours in custody. His lawyer, Sharon Wolfe, sat beside him with a legal pad and a pen that she kept tapping against the table in a rhythm that suggested either anxiety or caffeine overconsumption.
Kari had heard of Sharon before. She had a strong reputation for actually fighting for her clients rather than just processing them through the system. The kind of lawyer who'd keep Hatathli from saying anything stupid, no matter how much it might help their investigation.
