Hartwell’s office was small but gave the illusion of greater space thanks to the small desk tucked in one corner and the single bookcase occupying the opposite corner.This allowed the leather easy chair placed near the room’s single window and the clawfoot leather futon in front of it the lion’s share of the available square footage.
Hartwell sat behind her desk and said, “Okay.I understand you guys need to ask me about a case?Normally you call first.This isn’t about the Wilkerson rape case, is it?”
So not murder but not much better.Sometimes Kate really didn’t like humanity.“No.This is about the murders of Derek Hammond and Michelle Santos.You knew her as Maricela Santana.”
Hartwell’s demeanor changed instantly.Her polite if somewhat distracted smile froze.Three full beats passed before she swallowed and said, “I see.This is because they were both recently killed, correct?”
“Within the past two days, as a matter of fact,” Marcus said.“We were hoping you could provide us some insight.”
Hartwell folded her hands on the desk in front of her.She didn’t make eye contact.“I’m not sure what insight I can offer.They were both found innocent.”
“Not entirely true,” Kate pointed out.“Derek Hammond’s trial was dismissed due to evidence tampering, and the DA elected not to pursue another trial after Santana’s first trial ended in a hung jury.”
“Right,” Hartwell said.“In any case, the court will have my testimony.I’m still not sure howIcan help you.”
Marcus got to his feet and headed to the bookcase.Hartwell’s eyes flicked toward him, and her shoulders tensed.Interesting.He reached for a book, and she flinched, but stopped herself when he pulled it free.“Huh.I have this one.”
Hartwell blinked.“It’s a good book.Helpful for people suffering from post-traumatic stress.”
Kate’s brow furrowed.She looked at the title.Good Dreamsby Dr.Janice Broughman.She wondered what Marcus had found in that book and what trauma he was trying to overcome.He never talked about his time with the SEALs.Kate hadn’t pressed him, but now she was curious.He seemed so in control of himself in every aspect of his life save for his marriage to Cheryl.Was that just a façade?
“How do you deal with it?”Marcus asked.
Hartwell blinked again.“I’m sorry?”
“The stress.You campaigned pretty hard to convict these two, and they got away scot free.”
She frowned.“I gave my testimony.It’s not my place to convict anyone, nor to offer an opinion on their guilt or innocence.”
“But youdidoffer an opinion, didn’t you?”
Her frown deepened.“What exactly is this?Am I being interrogated?”
Kate chose to be honest.“We’re considering you as a possible suspect in their murders, yes.”
Hartwell recoiled.“What?You can’t be serious.”
“As my partner said, you were very passionate in your insistence that these two were guilty.”
“And that means I killed them?”
“At the moment, we’re not prepared to say that,” Kate backpedaled, “but maybe you can help us understand the killer’s motives.What would it feel like to be convinced, toknowthat two people were guilty of murder only for them to escape justice not because it was proven that they weren’t guilty or even decided by a jury that they’re not guilty but instead because of a technicality, a glitch in the system, if you will?
Hartwell’s lips thinned.She took a deep breath and said, “It’s hard.I’ll admit that.I felt as though I had wronged the victims somehow by not advocating for them enough.I had to seek some therapy to overcome those emotions.But as you’ve hinted, the fault lies not with me but with the justice system.These loopholes exist, and sometimes, guilty people get away with murder.”
“It’s not right, is it?”Kate said.“It almost makes you wish that someone would turn the tables on them.”
Hartwell chuckled and got to her feet.“Okay.I think it’s time for this conversation to end.If you two wish to ask for my assistance, I’m happy to provide it.If you intend to charge me with the commission of a crime, then you need to talk with my lawyer.”
She gestured for the door, and Marcus frowned.“Hey, quick question, doctor.Why do you have a picture of Michelle Santos’s house on your desk?”
Hartwell jumped and looked in horror at the photograph sitting next to her keyboard.From where Kate was, she couldn’t see it, but when she joined Marcus by the bookcase, she spotted the photograph.It was indeed an image of Michelle Santos’s house in Buffalo Grove, taken in winter and blanketed by snow but clearly the same house.
Hartwell’s eyes were huge.She flicked her eyes between the agents, trying to determine if she should answer or not.Finally, she said, “I wasn’t aware it was Michelle Santos’s house.I was taking pictures for a photography project of mine.”
“Yeah?Cool!I love photography.Do you have anything I can see?”
“No,” she said curtly.
