Page 154 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

Sabre almost smiled. “She won’t.”

“Go without me. Bay is more likely to talk if I’m not there,” Vale offered.

“I don’t like giving into her pressure, but this can’t wait. I’ll call you after.”

Vale headed back inside court.

Sabre left the building and walked to juvenile hall. The clerk at the desk knew her, so check-in was easy. Sabre went directly to the interview room and waited.

Bay was brought in several minutes later. She stopped when she saw Sabre sitting alone.

“No Mr. Vale?”

“He’s tied up in court, but we can wait for him if you’d rather.”

“No.” The girl sat down across from her.

Something about Sabre being alone seemed to make her more nervous, not less. Interesting.

Sabre waited until the deputy closed the door. Then she said quietly, “We’re getting close.”

Bay’s eyes filled with fear.

“We know about Oceanside. We know she was there after her abduction.”

Bay looked away.

“We know about Riverside County.”

Bay’s fingers tightened together.

“And San Bernardino.”

That landed harder.

Sabre continued carefully. “And we found the apartment in El Cajon.”

Bay’s head came up fast. Panic flickered openly across her face.

“The back unit,” Sabre said. “We know about Todd replacing the window next door. And we know about the laundromat.”

Bay’s breathing quickened.

“He found you there,” Sabre continued softly.

“No,” Bay said. “He found us.”

“You mean you and Hannah.”

“No names.” Her response was sharp, but not a denial.

“You reacted,” Sabre said.

“You don’t know who she is.”

“I think I do.”

“No. You can’t.” She sounded almost desperate.