Page 152 of State of Denial

“We’ll call the public defender’s office, then,” Freddie said. “It’s apt to be a day or two before they get here, so we’ll move you downstairs to the city jail in the meantime.”

“We need to get back to our kids!” Gia said.

“Until we can complete our conversation, you’ll be our guests,” Freddie said. “Shall I go make that call to the PD’s office?”

“Wh-what else do you want to know?” Pascal asked.

“Once you request an attorney, we can’t speak to you any further about the case,” Freddie said. “Am I making the call to the public defender, or do you have the name of an attorney you’d like me to call?”

“We… we don’t know any lawyers,” Pascal said.

“Very well, then. I’ll call the PD. We’ll have the Patrol officer take you downstairs until the attorney arrives.”

“But our kids…” Gia said. “What about them?”

“I assume they’re safe with their grandmother?”

“Yes, but—”

“No buts. Until we can confirm your whereabouts when the Blanchet family was being murdered, you’re here to stay.” They didn’t need to know he could hold them for only forty-eight hours without charging them with a crime.

He and Gonzo left the room and met Malone and Hope in the hallway.

“What do you think?” Freddie asked them.

He’d no sooner said the words than they heard raised voices coming from inside the room. The four of them hustled into observation and turned on the sound from the room.

“What the hell are we going to do now?” Pascal shouted at Gia, who sat crumpled on a chair at the table. “Look at where you’ve got us—in a goddamned police station being accused of murder! You should’ve backed off on Eloise when I told you to last year.”

“How could I when she was ruining Lacey’s life?”

“She wasnotruining her life, Gia. They’re twelve, for fuck’s sake. I never should’ve let you talk me into this.”

“Shut up,” Gia said on a hiss. “They’re probably listening.”

Freddie gasped. “What the hell?”

“Good, then they can hear it was all your idea. I’ll be happy to tell them all about it.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” Gia said on a snarl. “I know where your bodies are buried.”

Freddie and Gonzo exchanged glances.

“What’re you talking about?” Pascal asked, seeming genuinely confused.

“Do you think I don’t know about what you’ve been up to with Colleen?”

“What have I been up to?”

“Please, as if you don’t know.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You’re spending all kinds of time with her, and then suddenly her husband goes ‘missing’? Are you going to stand there and tell me you have no idea what happened to him?”

“I don’t! I was supporting our friend during a difficult time. How is that a crime? Don’t try to turn this around on me. Your sick obsession with a kid has us under suspicion with the cops!”

“I have no regrets.” Gia crossed her arms and gave him a defiant look.

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