Page 78 of Bring Them Home

“Just watch your steps in there. Am I understood?” His eyes and voice were soft and full of concern.

“I’m not going to dance around this guy. It’s time that he learns the lesson he can’t get away with murder. We now have a body on his property. This could put him away.”

He held up a hand as he walked closer to her. “I get where you’re coming from, trust me I do.”

“Please don’t give me a speech about presumed innocent until proven guilty. I couldn’t swallow it right now. Hernandez is linked to Abigail McGee. She was a threat to him.”

“I’m not denying that, but if he has the Archers, we’re forced to play along somewhat.”

The point wasn’t missed on her, and it had been something she’d been juggling with on the drive back into town. The need to show some diplomacy when all she wanted to do was throttle the man and force him to talk. “I understand that.”

“Good.” Malone ducked back into the observation room.

She and Trent carried on next door, and she pushed inside.

Lucas Hernandez smiled at her. “Detective Amanda Steele. Who would have guessed we’d meet again?”

I did… Call it a foreboding she felt deep in her core. It was one she tried to push away in the last month without success. And here she was face to face with the monster, as if it were her fate.

“I’m Wilson Duran, Mr. Hernandez’s attorney. We would like to file a complaint against the PWCPD. You conducted an unlawful search of my client’s property.”

“Then you failed to do your homework.” She flipped a copy of the search warrant on the table.

The lawyer picked it up, glanced it over, and set it down with a tight smile. “This wasn’t issued for the PWCPD.”

“No, but the PWCPD is working with the US Marshals Service.” As if on cue, there was a rap on the door, and it opened. Russell Holden entered.

Hernandez’s face shadowed. “And who is this?”

“Deputy US Marshal Holden,” Russell said, introducing himself.

Amanda looked over her shoulder at him, hoping he didn’t have plans to take over the interrogation. If he did, he’d be disappointed.

The lawyer pushed back in his chair and cleared his throat. “Whoever approved this search warrant should lose the bench.”

“There were grounds for its approval. Your client’s connection to Abigail McGee isn’t a secret. She was missing, along with her sister-in-law and niece. We had reason to think that they might have been held on your client’s property,” she laid out.

“And now that everyone’s time has been wasted…” The lawyer made a move to get up, as did Hernandez.

“Yeah, not so soon. And I think your client knows that.” Amanda dared to meet the drug kingpin’s eye.

Hernandez smiled tightly. “I assure you that I have no idea what you’re talking about. I haven’t been out there in days.”

“Well, that could line up then. Days ago was when Abigail McGee was murdered on your property.” A fabrication since Amanda had no idea about her time of death. This was the point when she’d slap a photograph on the table if she had one. It was more urgent they came here than stick around to talk to the CSIs and ME.

“Yes, well, if you say so.”

“Are you admitting that you knew Abigail McGee?”

“Why wouldn’t I? Besides, I have nothing to hide.”

She wanted to wipe the smugness off his face. She produced a photograph of Valerie and Brooke and put it on the table facing Hernandez. “Do you know who they are?” More like will you admit to it…?

“I haven’t met them personally, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Detective, please.” Wilson scowled. “There is prejudice against my client. It was his property, yes, but what took place there doesn’t automatically put him at fault. He should be treated as nothing more than a potential witness. Under US law⁠—”

“As I already stated, your client has a connection to the victim,” Amanda cut the lawyer off, not about to get a lecture from him. “Abigail was set to testify against Mr. Hernandez in the murders of several PWCPD officers. He’d have reason to silence her. You’ve been looking for her the last eight years.” She leveled the accusation at Hernandez.