Page 8 of Bone Echo

His gaze narrowing, Kurt asked, “What made you believe they were upset?”

“They didn’t wake me up. Didn’t make breakfast.” Shrug number six. “It was like they just got up and left. They’ve never done that before so I’m pretty sure they were mad at me.”

The sincerity in those words felt very real. For the first time since Kurt walked into that bedroom and found the Satterfields murdered he felt sympathy for the kid. He was either the best liar Kurt had ever interviewed or he had no idea what had happened in his home in the wee hours of the morning.

“You can’t remember what may have made your folks upset? Did you fail to do your chores? Bad grades at school? Trouble with another student?”

Worry clouding his expression, Brian looked Kurt straight in the eye. “Chief, I really can’t say for sure but I do know something is wrong or I wouldn’t be here. Please, just tell me what’s going on?”

It was the tears that glistened in his eyes that finally got to Kurt. He recognized a cold-hearted criminal when he met one and this boy was not that.

“Brian, did something happen last night that you need to tell me about? It’s important that you tell me the truth.”

The boy looked away for a moment, then nodded. “Yeah. I lied before. I was mad at my aunt and uncle because they treat me like a baby. I’ll be eighteen in a few months and I want to be treated like an adult.” He met Kurt’s scrutiny once more. “I wasn’t doing my homework and we weren’t talking about vacations like I said. Me and Aunt Kathleen were arguing while she made dinner. When Uncle Lloyd came home it got worse soI stormed out of the house. Slammed the door.” He shook his head. “I was really angry.”

And just like that, they had motive. Kurt asked, “And you didn’t see or talk to them when you came back last night?”

Brian’s lips quivered. “I don’t know. I don’t even remember getting home. Is that why I’m in trouble. Did I do something wrong that I can’t remember? God, I can’t believe this is happening.”

“Did you drink any alcohol last night?” Kurt asked. “Use any drugs?”

Brian blinked a couple of times as if thinking about the answer he wanted to give. “No way.” He frowned then as if he had more to say but didn’t.

“You’re sure about that,” Kurt pressed.

Doubt clouded the kid’s expression. “I didn’t. I swear.”

They would know soon enough. Kurt moved on, repeating an earlier question. “And you didn’t see or speak to your folks this morning?”

Brian’s head moved side to side. “They were already gone when I got up so I’m guessing last night was bad. For them to leave like that it must have been really bad.” A tear slipped down his cheek.

“Brian,” Kurt glanced at the woman before shifting his attention back to the boy, “sometime after midnight your aunt and uncle were murdered in their bedroom.”

Brian drew back with a hard jerk. “What?” His head shook frantically. “No. That can’t be right. There must be a mistake.” Tears spilled undeterred now. “No way. You’re wrong. They were gone when I got up this morning.”

“Brian,” Kurt suggested, “I want you to think really hard on last night and try to remember anything else that you can.”

“So…so you’re telling me they’re dead. For real.” His lips trembled. “Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Lloyd…are dead.”

Kurt exhaled a weary breath. “I’m afraid so, Brian. And we need your help to figure out what happened.” He went easy on the kid for now because he needed him cooperative. He needed him to remember as much as possible.

Brian hugged his arms over his chest and rocked back and forth. “Why would anyone do that? It makes no sense.”

Kurt stood. “I’ll be back in a little while and we’ll talk again. If you need anything let Doreen or one of the officers know, okay?”

The boy didn’t answer, just kept rocking back and forth. Kurt glanced at Grimes, gave her a nod then exited the interview room with little more than he’d started. He had two bodies and no suspects other than a seventeen-year-old boy who couldn’t remember what he’d done last night. And damned sure likely wasn’t capable of committing murder with such expert precision using a knife. Not to mention there was no motive other than the usual teenage angst over wanting more freedom.

This was going to be a long day.

CHAPTER FIVE

Noon

The high school buzzed with activity. Only three days left until the winter break. Hardly more than a week until Christmas. It wouldn’t be much of one for Brian Satterfield. Kurt had no idea if there was extended family. Grimes would figure out that part. Either way this went, the kid would need someone.

Kurt entered the lobby of the principal’s domain. Audra was expecting him. Dawson had explained the situation to her when he and McKendrick picked up Brian.

Audra ushered him into her private office and closed the door behind him. “I can’t believe this.” She rubbed at her left temple as if a headache were brewing there. “Do you really think Brian did this?”

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