Page 29 of Elliot

“Thanks.” He looked at Ross. “Did we locate Chandler Kates?”

“Yep. He’s in our holding area right now. I wondered if you’d like to participate in his questioning.”

“Definitely.” Elliot glanced at the bathroom door. “Can you keep him on ice until she’s out?”

“Yep, and then we’ll let her sit behind the mirror. Con got his juvie records unsealed. Seems Mr. Kates has a stalking problem. That, and there was an allegation of sexual assault, but that was dropped. The restraining orders are extensive. Seems he fixates on someone and has delusions about the extent of the relationship. One girl’s parents took him to court and wouldn’t settle like the others. The judge ordered Chandler evaluated. Seems he spent some time in a facility after that. The case was adjudicated, and he was deemed not competent to stand trial. Now, whether that was a play by Kates’ foundation or not, we don’t have a clue.”

“Anything else?”

“Ah, yes. The court records indicate Chandler left gifts for the women when they didn’t return his affections.”

Elliot let out a long breath. “So, we have our person.”

“It would seem.” Ross nodded. “Let’s see if we can end this case for you.”

Elliot nodded, but for the first time in his life, he wished Guardian wasn’t so damn good. He’d hate to leave Maya. After tonight? But then again, the night might not have been about her. And that was a good thing.Damn it.

Maya came out of the bathroom, her face free of makeup. She smiled embarrassedly, explaining, “It’s better than the raccoon eyes.”

“You look perfect,” Elliot said as she approached them, and he wasn’t joking. She had a span of freckles across her nose he didn’t know she had.

“Hardly,” she said. “I’m sorry, Mr. Stapleton. I don’t know what came over me.”

“We do,” Ross said. “This evening wasn’t easy.”

She smiled and glanced down at the floor. Elliot took that as the cue. “We have Chandler Kates in the interview room, and we’ve found out some interesting things. I’m going to sit in on the interview. Would you like to watch?”

“Please. And could you tell him not to contact me again?”’

“I think that can be arranged,” Ross said as he led them through a maze of offices. “We’ll go in here.” Ross opened the door, and Maya followed him into the viewing area of the interview room. A man standing by the door lifted away. “I’m Asher Hudson, lead investigator here in the New York office.”

“I’m Elliot Sawyer, PSO for Maya Callahan.”

“You’re more than that, sir. Everyone knows who Lima One is.” Asher opened the door before Elliot could even register the shock of that statement. “Mr. Kates, my name is Asher Hudson, lead investigator for Guardian Security. This is Elliot Sawyer, one of Guardian’s best. I believe the two of you have met.”

Chandler frowned at Elliot. “You didn’t say you were a cop.”

“I’m not.” Elliot pulled out the chair, sat down, and pulled the back of his bow tie, unraveling the knot. He unbuttoned the top button of his collar to loosen it. “I’m a Guardian.”

“That’s the same thing.” Kates dismissed him.

“Mr. Kates, you have no idea what or who this man is, but that isn’t why you’re here.”

“Why am I here? I want a lawyer.”

“Fine. Have fun in your next mental institution.” Asher stood up, and Elliot took his cue from the investigator.

“What did you say?” Chandler stood up. “What do you mean by that?” Elliot watched as the color drained from his face.

“I can’t talk to you without your lawyer. Sorry.”

“No! I’ll waive my lawyer. For now. I’ll sign something.”

Asher looked at Elliot and then sighed. “Fine.” He sat back down, opened the file, and lifted the top sheet off it. “These are your rights. I’ll read them to you as you read them.”

Chandler grabbed the pen on the table and signed the document. “I’m literate. I don’t need you to read them to me. Now, explain that.”

Asher lifted the cover on the photo and laid out pictures of the dead rats.

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