Page 75 of Ruthless Intent

Detective Holson: I apologize for speaking to Ashley before you were present. I’m sure you understand how important it is that we move fast on this.

Bryan Trumont: My daughter is thirteen. You had no right to question her without a parent present.

Detective Ramsey: The situation really required us to get answers as fast as possible. I know this is difficult for you, Mr. Trumont, given the circumstances, but we really need Ashley’s help right now. Are you comfortable with us returning back to the interview, Ashley?

Ashley Trumont: **nods her head** I-I want to make sure that the monster who did this to my brother gets caught. **She lowers her head to her hands and cries**

Detective Holson: Before the break, we were establishing the fact that Zain Ryder was holding a knife. Do you remember, Ashley?

Ashley Trumont: **nods**

Detective Holson: I’m going to need you to speak, Ashley.

Ashley Trumont: Yes, a knife.

Detective Holson: And you remember him standing with it, don’t you?

Ashley Trumont: I … I don’t … maybe? There was so much blood. I don’t know. He said my name. Told me to wait.

Detective Holson: But you ran, locked yourself in the bathroom, and called 911.

Ashley Trumont: I didn’t … I didn’t know what else to do.

Detective Holson: You did the right thing, Ashley. Do you remember what the knife looked like?

Ashley Trumont: **shakes her head**

Detective Holson: But you saw it? In his hand? Didn’t you?

Ashley Trumont: I … I … yes?

Detective Holson: And there was blood on it? You saw that, right?

Ashley Trumont: Maybe? I don’t … I don’t remember.

Detective Holson: Yes, you do. Think, Ashley. You walked into the room and found Zain Ryder standing over your brother and Louisa’s bodies, and he was holding a knife. He’d just murdered them. And you ran, because you knew if he caught you before the police arrived you’d be next.

Bryan Trumont: Detective Holson! My daughter is thirteen. You can’t say things like that to her. That’s my son you’re talking about.

Detective Holson: I apologize. Ashley, do you remember the knife?

Ashley Trumont: Yes. Yes, he was holding a knife.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

ZAIN

I hit pause on the video. The laptop screen freezes on her face. Eyes wide, lips parted, face pale. It’s there frozen in time. Her confirmation that I held the knife that butchered my friends.

My jaw clenches, and I grip the edge of the table so hard it hurts.

What happened during the unrecorded time?

Ashley was taken out to meet her father. But they didn’t immediately return to the interview room. The timestamp proves that.

What happened outside of the interview room to make her change her story?

I glance toward the door, and take out one earbud.

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