Page 151 of State of Suspense

“Thank goodness for that.”

“Yes, definitely. She’s my close friend. We’re about to issue a BOLO alert for Harlan Peckham in the District and surrounding areas. Detective Cruz will notify the airports, train and bus stations as well as the Metro to be on the lookout for him locally.”

“Shoot me everything you’ve got on the cases, and I’ll put some people on it.”

“Thank you for the help.”

“That’s what we do. Take care.”

He was gone as quickly as he’d appeared.

“I’d love to know that guy’s story,” Sam said. “He’s such an enigma.”

“He sure as hell gets the job done,” Malone said.

“Yes, he does.”

“I’ll take care of issuing the alerts for Harlan Peckham and sending the case info to Jesse.”

“I’m going to read the reports on the original investigation.”

“I don’t know about you, but I want to see those pictures of Hillbilly Avery.”

Sam laughed. “Me, too. Let me know when Amber is processed and in a room. She and I are going to have a chat.”

“Will do.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Gonzo walked into the processing area, where Rosemary and Randy Bryant were being fingerprinted, photographed and booked. Rosemary would be charged with aiding a fugitive from justice and Randy with the first-degree murder-for-hire of Rachel Fortier.

Randy gave him a filthy look that said a great deal about his level of contrition. Go ahead, Gonzo wanted to say, blame me for this if that helps you to sleep at night.

Rosemary, who was in her late forties or early fifties, wept as the officer set up her mug shot. She had short, curly brown hair and a round face. She looked as if she hadn’t slept in days. Running from the law must be exhausting.

“I’m Detective Sergeant Gonzales.”

She gasped when she heard his name and broke down into sobs. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

He looked at Randy, who had his head down as he was led through the motions of being booked for a crime that would send him to prison for the rest of his life.

Gonzo wondered if he knew that yet. He probably did, and that’s why he’d convinced his mother to run.

“Wh-what’s going to happen to us?”

“You’ll be arraigned at some point. Have you called an attorney?”

“I don’t have one. I don’t know anyone here.”

“Do you have the resources to pay for someone, or shall I ask them to reach out to the public defender’s office for you?”

“I could pay.”

“We have a list of local defense attorneys that you’ll be given when you’re through processing. You’ll be allowed to call three of them. Once you have someone representing you, your arraignment will be scheduled.”

“I’m sorry, Sergeant.” Her chin quivered as tears slid down her cheeks. “I panicked at the thought of Randy going to jail. I should’ve kept my promise to you and brought him here.”

“Yes, you should have.”

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