A beat.
“Chlorine,” she said. “That’s what was under it.”
His composure cracked.
“You were hiding a pool house,” she finished. “Not a masterpiece.”
His mouth opened—ready with a correction.
None came.
The deputies moved him.
Sara didn’t step back.
Sinclair hesitated.
For a fraction of a second, the chain between his wrists went taut as he waited for her to move.
She didn’t.
He had to turn sideways to pass her.
Metal brushed fabric.
For the first time since the arrest, he broke eye contact first.
The deputies guided him toward the elevator.
He didn’t look back.
Later — Interview Room
Margot Holt sat across from Dr. Calder.
No soft smile now.
“I helped them,” Margot said quietly. “They came in terrified. I made them presentable.”
“You undressed them,” Calder said.
Margot nodded.
“I prepared the pages.”
Scout stepped away from the glass.
In the hallway, Calder found him.
“She braided their hair,” Calder said quietly. “Called it care.”
Scout’s expression hardened.
“The room was still his,” Calder added. “She just made it easier for him.”
Sheriff’s Department — Later
The bullpen had emptied.
