Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Laurel held up a finger. “In addition, if you lie to me, it’s a crime because I’m a federal agent.”
“Ha,” Haylee said. “That’s not true. I know I have a right not to incriminate myself.”
Sometimes Laurel truly despaired about the current educational system. “Yes, but I’m not asking you about yourself. According to 18 US Code 1001, it is a crime to knowingly and willingly make any materially false statement to any branch of the government of the United States. This means you can’t lie to a federal agent.”
“I can lie to the cops anytime I want.”
Oh, spare her. Laurel took a deep breath. “That’s the local police, and actually, you should be careful there, too. I’m talking about the federal government. Lying to me can result in fines and imprisonment. Do you want to go to jail?”
“No,” Haylee said.
They had reached a consensus of direction. “Good. Where are the diaries?”
“They’re at my place.”
So at least they remained safe for now. “I want you to turn them over.”
“Get a warrant.”
Laurel had already asked Sherry to draw up a request for a warrant. “Why are you trying to protect Jason Abbott? He is a cold-blooded murderer.”
“Because of your sister.”
All right. They were not going to get anywhere with this line of questioning. “Tell me about the woman you saw in the truck.”
“It was you. I saw your hair. I saw you drive. It was you. You were the woman in the truck.”
Laurel considered questions that would elicit truthful answers and could settle on only one. “Is it possible the woman you saw was Abigail Caine?”
Haylee’s jaw dropped open. “Well, um, I guess.”
How could she not have already thought of that? “Do you have any idea why Dr. Caine would want to murder Mrs. Bearing?”
Haylee gulped. “I don’t know. I mean, I heard Mrs. Bearing was doing the nasty with Pastor John, and didn’t Dr. Caine used to date him? Could that be a reason?”
Not for most people, but who knew with Abigail. “Are you currently under the influence of any alcohol or drugs?” Laurel asked abruptly.
Haylee put both elbows on the table and leaned forward. “Are you calling me stupid?”
Laurel had refrained from actually saying the words. “No, I’m just asking if anything is impairing your judgment.”
“No,” Haylee snapped.
Laurel harbored reservations about that assertion. “Tell me about the truck.”
“I saw an old and battered farm truck. I don’t know. Maybe like a yellowish cream. One of the millions we see around here.”
“It was still dark outside. How did you see the driver’s hair?”
Haylee cocked her head as if trying to remember. “From the dash lights and, plus, my headlights. I just figured you went to murder people. Are you a killer?”
“No,” Laurel said.
Haylee snorted. “Maybe not, but that evil sister of yours definitely is.”
Chapter 22
After a delicious lunch of decadent macaroni and cheese, Laurel walked into the conference room and set down her sparkling water. Upon concluding his interview with Tim Kohnex, Agent Norrs had left to liaise with the local police sheriff, and she surprised herself by wishing he’d stayed. The office was too quiet with her entire team gone. She shivered, feeling alone. “Sherry, I’d like an update on that warrant for Abbott’s diaries in about an hour,” she called out. They encountered difficulty securing a judge’s signature.
“You’ve got it,” Sherry called back. “That appointment with Ms. Carrington is in a few minutes.”
Meeting Zeke Caine’s new lover should be interesting. “Thank you. Please also call Nester and see if he’s found a trace of Saul Bearing or his sons.”
“Sure.”
Laurel stared at the boards and at Jason Abbott’s mugshot for several minutes.
Movement sounded down the hallway, and Sherry escorted a young woman in. “Special Agent in Charge Laurel Snow, this is Ms. Uma Carrington.”
“Hi, Ms. Carrington,” Laurel said, flipping the board over to reveal the unadorned side. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.”
“Hi.” The woman walked into the conference room.
Laurel motioned to one of the chairs. “Take a seat.”
“Thank you.” Ms. Carrington pulled out a chair and sat. She had angled bone structure, dark brown eyes, and long brown hair with very obvious and lovely blond streaks. Did Zeke like blondes? Like to kill them?
“Would you like a glass of water, Ms. Carrington?” Laurel asked.
She shook her head. “Call me Uma.”
Laurel studied her. “Uma is one of the names of the goddess Parvati, a principal deity of Hinduism. I think the word means light or tranquility.”
“Or fame,” Uma said, smiling fully now. “In Hindu mythology, she is also known as the goddess of love and devotion.” She lifted one dark eyebrow. “You’ve done your research.”
“I like to read,” Laurel noted. “I read that somewhere years ago.”
“Ah,” Uma said, settling back in the chair. She appeared comfortable in a long green skirt with a white-and-green sweater. Her earrings dangled in colorful beads of red, white, and green. “Pastor Caine said you needed to speak with me?”