Page 134 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

Friday late morning

Bay was already in the juvenile court interview room when Sabre and Vale entered. Sabre sat in front of the plexiglass, and Vale stood behind Sabre.

Sabre spoke first. “My investigator is close to finding where you lived.”

Bay’s eyes sparked with fear, then discipline shut it down. “You don’t have an investigator.”

“But I do.” She sighed. “This would all be a lot easier if you just told me where and how you live.”

“I can’t do that.”

“We know there’s another girl.”

No reaction.

“We know she is blonde and about your age.”

Bay stared at the tabletop.

“I think her name is Hannah,” Sabre said.

“No names.”

“That isn’t a denial.”

“It’s the rule.”

Sabre pressed harder. “If she’s in danger, rules don’t matter anymore.”

“There is a girl,” she said at last.

Vale made a note. “And she lived with you?” Sabre asked.

Bay gave the smallest nod.

“Still?”

No answer.

“Tell us about Todd Maddox.”

Bay looked toward the blank wall. “He was fixing a window next door. He kept looking over.” Bay’s voice was flat. “He saw us outside once and started talking.”

“What kind of talking?” Vale asked.

“Friendly-man talking.” The girl almost sneered. “Questions dressed up like jokes.”

“What questions?”

“He asked our names, if we were sisters, where we worked or went to school, who was home.”

“What did you tell him?”

“I just gave him vague answers. Then he asked why she never said anything. She answered him and said, ‘I don’t have much to say.’”

“What did you tell him?”

“Nothing important, just normal things. But normal is dangerous when you’re not allowed to have it.”