The door to the office opened while Kate was examining an account of Michelle Santos’s employment history with Midwest Regional, looking for clues that could demonstrate that Hartwell was using this information to assist her in her desire to enact the justice that the system had denied years ago.Marcus stepped inside, carrying two water bottles.He handed Kate one, popped the top of the other one, and drank deeply.
“How’d it go?”Kate asked.Marcus had gone to the station with Hartwell for the initial interview.
Marcus shrugged.“Lawyer got there two minutes after we did.Blustered about illegal search and seizure but stopped when we showed him the warrant.Wouldn’t let us talk to her.Said his client issued two statements: one, she’s innocent, and two, while she was passionate about achieving justice for the victims, she fervently believed that violence was never the answer.”
“Did she explain the files?”
“No.She posted bail but agreed to stay in town.I figure once we go through these, we can bring her in again and force a real interrogation.”
“It’s not going to do much if she’s lawyered up.”
“Maybe, maybe not.We can play it as a chance to be a martyr.Tell the world all about how she sacrificed her freedom and her soul to achieve justice.She wants that.She’s left you two very detailed notes about how much she wants it.”
Kate frowned.“So, you’re sure it’s her?”
Marcus looked at her.“You’re not?”
She leaned back and folded her arms.On the desk were two stacks of papers detailing Hartwell’s notes on Hammond’s and Santos’s habits.On her computer were organized records of their activities with headings labeled PROOF and SUSPICION.
“I’m sure she wanted to bring them to justice.I’m not sure she wanted to do so violently.”
“And she just happened to have the murder weapon hanging above her desk?”
“Did it come back positive for signs of blood?”
“Well, no, but cleaning chemicals are a thing.”
“Did it come back for cleaning chemicals?”
Marcus frowned.“Not all of them leave a residue.”
“True,” Kate admitted.
Marcus sighed.“But?”
“But look at this.”
She opened another desk drawer and pulled out a Moleskine notebook.The interior was filled with entries detailing Hartwell’s grief over the results of the Santos and Hammond trials and her desire for justice to be served.
“Check this out: ‘If only I’d done more.If only I’d fought harder.If only I’d brought more convincing evidence.It’s out there, I know it is.I just have to keep looking.I’ll find it.The truth will out.I’ll find proof that Maricela Santana and Derek Hammond are murderers.I’ll bring them the justice they deserve.’”
Marcus sighed again and crossed his arms.“Okay, I think I see where you’re going with this.You think this supports her claim that she’s trying to do this the right way and bring them to justice through the system, not take it into her own hands.”
“All of the entries are like this,” Kate said.“Blaming herself for the results of the case, committing to finding the truth, promising that the victims’ families will see justice served.”
“From one perspective, they did.”
“Yes, but is itHartwell’sperspective?”
Marcus unfolded his arms and planted them on his hips.He stared at the shredder and the scattering of photographs in front of it.“We’ve got clear evidence of obsession with the victims.We’ve got the murder weapon.We’ve got a terrified suspect hiding behind a lawyer.I’m having a really hard time thinking of ways Hartwell isn’t our guy.Or girl.You know what I mean.”
“I do, and shecouldbe, but I don’t know that for sure.There are no references to the commandments anywhere in these files.No Bible verses anywhere.”
“She could have kept them out of her writings because she knew it would incriminate her if she wrote about that here.”
“But the dozens of photographs and the stalker files wouldn’t?And there’s nothing to suggest a connection with Cox.She didn’t seem to know anything about him.”
“And there it is.That’s the real issue, isn’t it?”
