Page 71 of Only Girl Alive

His frustration was obvious. He had to step carefully with the recorder going.

“Do you have a suspect for the homicides?” He’d decided to try another tack.

“I do. It will be in my full report once I’ve written it. I’ll be more than happy to send you a copy.”

He inhaled sharply. His eyes turned into small pinpoints of anger.

“Do I need to remind you I am the county attorney? This is my jurisdiction.”

“Do I need to remind you a judge put me in charge of oversight for your jurisdiction and I am not under your command?”

“No, but you are under God’s.” He simply couldn’t help himself.

“I was assaulted by members of your church. I don’t answer to you, them, or your God. I answer to the state of Utah and Judge Remki.”

“You’re proud of being an apostate. Your filthy arrogance drips off you.”

He was one to talk. Eve also noticed he didn’t defend his church against the assault.

“Can we get back to the case and why law enforcement left the crime scene unsecured?”

“You would need to ask Chief Jackson that. I am not in control of his men.”

Eve didn’t bother reminding him he had just said this was his jurisdiction.

“I need the address of the Walls for interviews on the entire family including children. Hannah is not in good mental condition and she may have said something to one of the children in the home. Since her aunt took her to the Tanner home, the Walls must be staying locally.”

This was conjecture. They had no idea how or when Hannah was taken to the home. They found no keys and no forced entry so it was very possible she was dropped off after the officers left.

“I don’t know where they are, nor do I know how to reach them,” he said. “Now you’re saying Hannah committed the murders. Make up your mind.”

“I didn’t say that. You did. Hannah is a lead in our investigation and always has been. I haven’t interviewed her, even after telling you how important it is that I speak with her. The children in the home might know something.” She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling. “Do you think the phone number you previously used for the Walls still works?” she asked calmly.

Aaron’s eyes burned with fury which the recorder couldn’t see. He had no way out of this without giving away his corruption. Family Services had said nothing to the paramedics or ambulance crew. Eve had spoken to one of them before leaving the hotel this morning. They said Hannah never uttered a word the entire drive.

“Mr. Wall has not answered my calls. If he does, I will let him know you want an interview.”

“Next question,” Eve stated. “My assault, which you’ve made no mention of. I gave leads to the responding officer at the hospital. Could you let Mark and Patrick Owens know a detective should be in touch? They can provide the names of my other three stepbrothers.”

“Your mind is twisted. They had nothing to do with your assault.” His eyes went back to the recorder.

She knew it would throw him off balance if she placed it on his desk. She was right.

“I wanted to thank you for the list of names of Bart Tanner’s previous wives. That was very helpful.”

“Are you going to tell me who the suspect is?” Aaron demanded.

“It will be in my report,” Eve repeated. She reached forward and shut off the recorder.

He’d bullied her long enough. This fight had built for years and it was time to get it over with. She was no longer the child under the church’s rule. Aaron had no control over her. She needed him to understand a few things.

“A ten-year-old child killed her family for Bart Tanner’s sins. You and other members of law enforcement knew about it. I plan to prove you interfered with a felony investigation.”

“Is that a threat?”

“You’ll know when I make a threat.” She leaned forward. “I know in your opinion, Hannah is of marital age but—”

Eve jerked away from the desk when Aaron stood and slammed his chair back several inches so it hit the bookcase behind him with a solid thud.

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