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“I’ve been talking to Maureen Epstein.”
Anger pulsed up from Kit’s gut. “What?”
“She talked to me. She has video. Of Colton.” He sighed. “Getting killed.”
Kit was stunned into speechlessness for a few seconds. “Did you say that Maureen Epstein has video of Colton Driscoll’s murder?”
Both men stared at her, openmouthed.
“I did,” Sam confirmed. “She’s scared, Detective. And she has legal representation. Laura Letterman is with me.”
“I see.” Although she didn’t see at all. How the hell did Maureen Epstein get video of Driscoll’s murder? And why was Letterman with him? Maybe they were reconnecting, although Kit had given Sam more credit than to crawl back to the woman who’d cheated on him. But that didn’t matter. What did matter was that Maureen had talked to him. Maybe he did have a miracle voice. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” She ended the call.
“Maureen Epstein has video of Driscoll’s murder?” Connor asked, still looking as stunned as she felt.
“I guess so. You guys get started on canvassing these bars for Skyler. I’ll check out my five bars when I’m done with the Epsteins.” She had hours before her appointment with Dr.Scott. “But I’m telling Navarro first. I’ll be in touch.”
Gathering her papers, she rushed from the room.
“Kit,” Howard called and she paused, looking over her shoulder. “Your sandwich.”
With a grateful smile she grabbed it and practically ran to Navarro’s office.
Mira Mesa, California
Tuesday, April 19, 5:05 p.m.
Eyes wide, Kit watched Driscoll being murdered, Navarro at her side at the Epsteins’ kitchen table. She hadn’t quite believed Sam until she’d watched Maureen’s video—four simultaneous views on the screen, one from each camera—with her own eyes.
When the screen went dark, Kit looked down the table where Maureen huddled, her eyes swollen and red. Her parents stood on either side of her like an honor guard.
Sam Reeves and his attorney sat beside her. Letterman had informed them that she was representing the girl.
For trespassing. As if that paltry offense even registered on the radar compared to what the girl had captured. The illegal recording was a bigger deal, but still not even close to what they’d gained.
She glanced at Navarro, who tilted his head as if to say Go for it.
“Let’s get the big issue dealt with. Maureen, you know what you did was wrong, right? Breaking and entering and illegal recording are serious.”
Maureen swallowed. “Yes,” she whispered.
Laura Letterman started to open her mouth, but Kit stayed her with a raised hand. “Please, Ms.Letterman. Let me finish before you jump in. So, Maureen, I have to write this up, but you have a good lawyer and I’ll make sure the prosecutor has all the facts. It will be all right.”
“What does that mean?” David asked stiffly, his hand gripping his daughter’s shoulder.
“It means,” Kit said as kindly as she could, “worst case, she’ll have a misdemeanor on her record, but she’s a juvenile and we can have it sealed. Best case, charges will be dropped because of her contribution to this case. I think we can work with Ms.Letterman to keep this from having any long-term detrimental effects on Maureen’s life.”
Kit saw Sam Reeves’s shoulders lower a few inches. He’d been worried about what she’d do. He noticed her attention and gave her a slight nod. Thank you, he mouthed.
Maureen’s parents also relaxed, David’s grip on Maureen’s shoulder loosening to a gentle squeeze.
“Thank God,” Gemma whispered.
“We’ll push for a total drop of charges,” Letterman said briskly.
“I figured you would, Ms.Letterman. That’ll be up to whichever prosecutor you draw. But I’ll put in a good word for Maureen.” Kit lifted her brows, keeping her tone mild as she addressed the still-pale teenager. “I would have put in an even better word if you’d told me the first three times I asked you, but I understand why you were scared.”
Maureen nodded timidly. “I’m sorry.”
