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“You have Grace in custody?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Tucker said. “She was caught breaking into the Grill and vandalizing Detective Atkins’s room. Would you know anything about that?”
Colleen’s lips pursed. “Of course not.”
Barbara continued: “Right now, she is refusing to cooperate unless you are present. She also states she is sixteen, not eighteen.”
To Barbara’s satisfaction, the woman looked uncomfortable, the sheen of serenity cracking.
“Cooperating now could help Grace in the long run, Reverend,” Barbara said. “So how about you tell us the truth about how you met?”
Colleen smiled tightly. “Her name is Rhiannon, she’s sixteen years old and, when I found her, she was about to jump off a bridge. Does that help you, detectives?”
—
They sat at the desk, Tucker and Barbara facing Colleen and Grace/Rhiannon.
“So, shall we start at the beginning, as Julie Andrews likes to say?”
Colleen and Grace looked at her blankly.
“Okay.” Barbara smiled. “Not Sound of Music fans. Rhiannon, can I call you that?”
“My name is Grace now.”
“Okay, but for the record, can you state your given name and your date of birth.”
Grace glanced at Colleen, who gave a faint nod. “Rhiannon Davis, June 11, 2008.”
“Okay. You have requested that Reverend Colleen Grey be here as your appropriate adult, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Ms. Grey, could you state that you consent to this?”
“I do.”
“You have also declined a lawyer.”
“Yes.”
“Right. First off, can you just explain how you two met and your relationship.”
“Is that necessary?” Colleen asked.
Barbara smiled. “You are aware, Reverend Grey, that trafficking a minor across state lines is an offense?”
“I am, Detective, which is why I asked Grace’s mother for permission, which she gladly gave.”
“And I presume you have that in writing?”
“I do. It’s at the church. I would be happy to show it to you.”
Barbara mentally gritted her teeth. “So, how did you end up traveling together?”
“Reverend Grey saved me,” Grace said flatly.
“Grace ran away from home at fourteen,” Colleen said. “She was living on the streets. Using, drinking, stealing.”
