Page 179 of Chameleon Killer

Yes, I really did like her.

Across the table, Brewster's mouth tightened. He wanted to begin. Alisha knew that. I knew that. Hell, I was pretty sure everyone in the room knew it. So she made him wait.

Another reason I liked her.

Detective Ortiz finally pushed a digital recorder toward the center of the table.

“For the record, continuation of interview with Mallory McBryan regarding the incident at⁠—”

Brewster interrupted. “This isn't a custodial interview.”

Ortiz looked at him. “I didn't say it was.”

“You called it an interview.”

“That's what we're doing.” She possessed intense patience. It reminded me of a mother or maybe a teacher dealing with an irascible child.

“We're conducting a witness debrief.”

“In my room,” Ortize said easily. “In my house.”

Brewster went silent. Ortiz's expression didn't change.

“My recorder,” she added, in case he missed the earlier possessives.

Flint shifted beside me. I could feel his almost-smile without looking. Apparently CPD and the Bureau were getting along beautifully.

Ortiz resumed.

“Ms. McBryan, journalist, has counsel present. Mr. Flint Carter is also present with counsel.”

“News director,” Flint supplied.

Ortiz glanced at him. “I know who you are.”

“Just helping.”

“Don't.” She didn’t snap out the word so much as keep it light, but firm. No, she wasn’t in the mood to play. Maybe we should have gotten her some coffee too.

His mouth twitched.

I definitely liked her.

She stated the date and time, then identified everyone around the table.

When she finished, Alisha rested both hands on her legal pad. “My client has already provided a preliminary factual account of her physical movements tonight.”

Brewster leaned forward. “A partial account.”

Alisha looked at him. “Agent Brewster, you'll know when I'm finished because I'll stop speaking.”

Silence.

Then she continued.

“She entered the building voluntarily. She used an access card provided anonymously. She traveled by elevator to a location she reasonably believed to be the twelfth floor. She entered an office. She remained there for approximately fifty-three minutes. She communicated by text through a computer terminal. She did not see another person in the room. She did not hear another person's voice. She then left the room and descended one flight, where she was encountered by law enforcement.”

Ortiz made a note.