Page 60 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

“Usually,” JP echoed.

Deluca gave him a look. “Are you here to tell me it wasn’t?”

“I’m here to figure out what you actually saw, not what it looked like later,” JP said. “Your statement says the timeline matched Victor Hayes.”

“It did,” Deluca said. “From what they told me.”

“But you couldn’t identify him?”

“No.”

“If you had to say for certain now, was that Victor Hayes?”

“I couldn’t see him then,” Deluca said. “I can’t see him now.”

JP stood. “I appreciate your time,” he said.

“If you find something different, I’d like to know, if you don’t mind.”

“Will do, but so far it’s all still pointing toward Hayes.”

Chapter 21

Thursday afternoon

Sabre was halfway through reviewing a file for an upcoming review when her phone rang. She glanced at the screen. It was Ethan Vale.

She let it ring once more, then answered.

“Sabre.” Vale’s voice carried a sense of urgency. “Bay’s asking for you again.”

“Why?”

“She says she’ll talk.”

“Talk how?” Sabre asked.

“She says she has information,” Vale said. “About what happened the night of the murder.”

That got her attention. “And?”

“She’ll only give it if you’re there.”

“Give me twenty minutes,” she said.

~~~

Juvenile Hall always felt colder than it should, and it wasn’t just the temperature.

Sabre and Vale walked side by side down the corridor, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the concrete as they reached the interview room. A deputy opened the door and stepped aside. Bay was already sitting at the table, hands folded, posture still.

Her eyes went straight to Sabre, not to Vale.

“I told you,” Bay said quietly, “I’d talk.”

“Then let’s talk,” Sabre said, taking a seat.

They sat. Vale sat and opened his folder, but his attention stayed on Bay.