When Malone entered the room with the chief, everyone sat up a little straighter. The chief had that effect.
“Thank you all for being here,” Sam said. “We’re waiting for Dr. Morganthau, the former chief medical examiner, who’s on the way in from Annapolis, but until he arrives, let me give you a high-level review of what’s going on.”
Before she could proceed, a white-haired man wearing the look of a cop appeared at the door. “I’m Detective Moran. Retired, that is. I got a call asking me to come in.”
Sam went to greet him with a handshake. “Thank you so much for coming. We appreciate it.”
“Of course. The captain said it was about one of my old cases?”
“That’s right. This is my partner, Detective Cruz, Chief Medical Examiner Lindsey McNamara, IT Lieutenant Archelotta and IT Sergeant Walters. I believe you know Captain Malone and Chief Farnsworth.”
“I do.” Moran went around the table to shake hands with both men. “It’s good to see you both and to meet the rest of you. I’ve followed your impressive work, Lieutenant.”
“Thank you, Detective Moran. Please have a seat.”
“Are you in touch with Dugal?” Malone asked.
“Christmas cards and the like. He’s in Galveston and spends every waking minute fishing.”
“Sounds like a dream,” Malone said wistfully.
He and the chief had privately vowed to stay on the job for as long as Sam was the first lady, because they thought her father would’ve wanted them to be there for her during this unprecedented time in all their lives. Hearing Malone had prostate cancer had left Sam reeling and not at all sure she wanted him postponing his retirement for her. When she got the chance, she’d mention that to him.
Chapter Nine
Dr. Morganthau arrived twenty-five minutes later, his ruddy cheeks windblown from the time he spent in his garden. His wiry dark gray hair had been rearranged by the gusty spring breeze, and his blue eyes sparkled with the excitement of being called in to assist on a case.
“I got here as quickly as I could. The traffic was uncooperative.”
Sam shook his hand and offered him a seat at the table. “As usual. Thank you so much for coming.”
“It’s a pleasure to see you all. I hope I might get a minute with my friend Deputy Chief McBride while I’m here.”
“We’ll make sure you do, Norm,” the chief said with a warm smile. “Good to see you, old friend.”
“You as well.”
“Now that everyone is here, I’d like to play the recording of the statement Amara Robinson gave earlier today.”
Freddie pressed a button to replay the recording.
The statement was no less powerful the second time. Sam rubbed her hands over her arms, which were covered in goose bumps. Everyone in the room was deeply affected by Amara’s detailed description of her brother’s murder.
“My God,” the chief said softly when the recording ended.
“Now you know why we arrested the parents without further ado,” Sam said.
The chief nodded. “I get it.”
“The new U.S. Attorney, Catherine McDermott, has instructed us to release the parents since we have no additional evidence on the record tying them to the murder.”
“Does there need to be?” Archie asked. “That was pretty damned compelling.”
“In our opinion, no,” Sam said. “In USA McDermott’s, yes. The chief has agreed to run interference with her and gave us twenty-four hours to come up with more. That’s why we asked you all to come in.”
“I left a message for McDermott to call me,” the chief said. “Helen will come get me if she returns the call while we’re in this meeting.”
“Thank you, sir,” Sam said. “Detective Moran, you were one of the two detectives who investigated King Robinson’s murder. Would you tell us, in your own words, what you recall of the case?”
