by Deanna Lee
"Yeah. Thanks.” She grimaced and looked at Willa Rose again. “You can't buy belladonna just anywhere. She had to have a source for it."
"I'd say she was seeing an herbalist."
"Her medical records indicated a standard MD for medical care."
"Then perhaps her relationship with the killer was a little more involved than you think."
"Maybe.” She sighed. “The FBI is pressuring me for custody of Frees."
"Tell them to stick it."
"That is why I love you."
* * * *
She found two suits standing in the middle of her office, having coffee and glaring at Desi, who was sitting primly at her desk, ignoring them. “What do you want?"
"Are you Inspector Moray?"
Kyra laughed. “Come now, you aren't going to convince me that the two of you didn't spend your entire trip here running over my service record, trying to find a way to put it to me so I'd do what you want.” She dropped her workbag in her guest chair and went to her desk. Sitting down, she pushed her p-pc into the desk charging station.
"I'm Special Agent Marshall, and this is my partner, Special Agent Hertz. You'll be getting a call from the governor demanding that Frees be released into our custody."
"Orland Frees is a material witness and a likely accomplice in series of murders. He isn't going anywhere with you or anyone else."
"You want to make a wager on that?"
"Sure, let's wager careers.” Kyra folded her hands over her stomach and watched them as she considered her words. Since open hostility wouldn't ultimately suit her needs, she chose cool and precise. “I'm going to charge Orland Frees with unlawful possession of a banned weapon. Then threatening of an officer of the law with said banned weapon. He'll also be charged with accessory to four separate counts of murder in the first degree and one count of kidnapping and mutilation with the intent to murder. If he gives up Aaron Belton before he can kill again, I'll recommend that he not be given the death penalty."
"You are beyond your scope."
"And you are beyond your jurisdiction. This is my case, my city, and he's my prisoner. He'll remain my prisoner, and I don't give a damn what the governor says."
"Your failure to cooperate will be noted."
"Good, make sure you spell my name correctly.” She stood and picked up a soft pad. “Now, I have to go tell a seventeen-year-old girl's parents that their daughter is dead.” Kyra paused and looked at Agent Marshall specifically; he'd done all the talking. “The next time you want to see me, consult my admin and make an appointment."
Desi watched her stride from the office with pursed lips. “I told you to be nice."
"She won't get away with this."
"I would suggest that you reconsider whatever you might have planned.” Desi went back to her computer screen. “Inspector Moray gets more press in this city than anyone else with the department. It won't be a secret if you take her on."
"Are you threatening me?"
"I am reminding you that you aren't on your turf, and the wind blows in her direction in New Orleans."
* * * *
Donald and Marlena Rose lived in a neat little neighborhood. Donald was in insurance, and Marlena was a nurse. Kyra sucked in a deep breath. “Okay, this won't be pretty."
"The husband works from home, and the wife works a second shift at the hospital. She's probably preparing to go to work.” Ana checked her badge and looked at Kyra. “They have two younger children, but they're supposed to be in school for another hour."
"Let's get this done, then.” Kyra turned off the vehicle and shook her head. “Notifications like this are the worse part of the job. Some days you might think it's working a scene or being in the ME's office, but it will always be the notifications."
Donald Rose opened the door before they made it all the way up the walkway. He stood there for a moment, as if he were taking a mental inventory of his family and wondering which one of his children the police were coming to talk to him about.
"Mr. Rose."
"Yes.” He cleared his throat. “You're Inspector Moray. My son, Phil, is quite a fan of yours."
It was odd having fans, but since it seemed to make him more comfortable with her, she accepted his words with a nod. “May we come in?"
"I want to tell you no,” he admitted softly as he stepped aside.
"Is your wife at home?"
"Yes, she's getting ready for work."
"You should get her.” Kyra watched him walk away, his steps hesitant.
"I'll be right back."
Ana watched him leave the foyer; she cleared her throat. “I wish I'd stayed at the scene."
"I know.” Kyra turned at the sound of tiny clicks on tile and turned to see the Roses enter the foyer.
"Come into the living room,” Donald murmured softly and prodded his wife into the room before them.
Once seated, Kyra met Marlena's gaze and held it. “It is with regret that I have to inform you that your daughter Willa has been killed."
"An accident?” Marlena's eyes begged softly.
"She's a Major Crimes inspector, baby.” Donald took up his wife's hand and threaded his fingers through hers. “Do you have the person who killed my daughter in custody?"
"Not at this time, no."
"Then it's the man that has been all over the news, the serial killer."
"That is our current line of thinking.” Kyra cleared her throat. “Willa had a tattoo on her ankle. Do you remember when and where she got it?” From the shock that moved between them, she realized that they hadn't been aware of the tattoo. “We are going to need a list of Willa's friends and her schedule. Anything you can give us will go a long way toward helping us catch the man who killed her."
"Of course.” Marlena started to stand, then sat back on the couch. “I'm sorry. I need a few moments."
"I'm going to leave my card; my p-pc address is on there. If you can forward me the information today, it would be very beneficial. I'll need you both to come down to the station and give statements."
"Her body?” Donald almost choked on the question.
"At this time, the medical examiner is keeping all of the bodies involved in the case in stasis. Once we have determined that all evidence needed to prosecute her killer is secured, we will release her for funeral arrangements. I assure you that he's treating your child with the utmost respect and care.” Kyra stood. “Constable Salanti and I will be available to you if you have any questions."
Marlena reached out and grabbed her hand. “Can I see her?"
Kyra's mind filled with the bruised and battered face of Willa Rose and she swallowed hard. “Do you remember how she looked the last time you saw her?"
"Yes.” Marlena nodded quickly.
"Keep that close to you, and when the time comes for you claim her, you remember that moment when she was smiling and alive.” Kyra squeezed her fingers and then released her hand.
* * * *
"How do you know what to say to them?"
Kyra buckled her harness and started the vehicle. “I try to imagine what I would want to hear if it were me in their place. I never lie. I avoid inflicting more pain than is necessary and always try to remember that they will remember my face, and the words I say will be with them the rest of their lives."
"Yeah.” Ana fiddled with her harness and then shoved her p-pc into her workstation. “Orland Frees?"
"He does owe us another conversation."
"The FBI seems very serious about his release."
"They can shove it."
* * * *
"You are foolish,” Kyra murmured and stood away from the door she'd been leaning on. “With your prints in the shack, I have you solid on accessory charges."
"That's bullshit.” He kept his gaze centered on the table. “Where's my advocate?"
"On the way. Trust me, we have no intention of giving you a way out of this.” Kyra glanced at her comm-u to check the time. “We probably have another ten mi
nutes alone together."
"I had nothing to do with the killing of those women, and you can't pin it on me."
"Actually, you knowingly harbored a killer and didn't report his first crime to the police. In not reporting Aaron to the authorities, you committed a crime. A crime that could very well put you in prison for the rest of your life. Of course, later on we'll get to the three little boys that were killed around the same time Aaron supposedly died. Did he do them, or did you? It sounds like a lot for a seven-year-old to accomplish, but I think he had it in him even back then."
"I'm a fucking national hero, lady. I won't go to jail."
Kyra laughed. “That might have been true yesterday, but it isn't true today. The government isn't going to interfere here; you won't get a free ride this time. I have you, Orland. I have you solid, and if you don't tell me where I can find Aaron, I'm going to make sure that you get tried as a participant. I'll get you on a table with an injection in your arm inside the next year."
Picking up the remote to the viewing screen, she clicked it on and displayed a picture of Willa Rose. “Aaron killed Willa Rose this morning. She was seventeen years old, Orland. You could have saved her life, and don't think I will forget that."
She set the remote down, leaving the picture of Willa obscenely posed for his viewing. The door opened, and one of the best criminal advocates in the city walked in. Kyra smiled. She'd requested Mason Lowery for Orland. He'd defend his client's rights zealously, leaving no room for appeal when everything was said and done.
"I'll give the two of you an hour to get acquainted.” She pointed at the screen. “She's the last one, Orland. You give me the information I need, or you'll pay for Aaron's crimes."
She found Ana on the observation deck, a temporary workstation set up. The sound had been turned off and the recordings stopped to protect the advocate/client relationship. Kyra leaned against the one-way viewing window so she wouldn't have to look at Orland, and focused on Ana. “Any reports from Agent Lehman concerning the diary?"
"Yeah. We have a summary of the entire contents. He must have been up all night reading and working with that thing."
"What's the verdict?"
"Both of Aaron's parents died the night of the fire.” Ana looked up and then out into the interrogation room. “Aaron watched his father beat his mother to death, and then he waited until his father fell asleep and cut his throat."
"Aaron killed his own father."
"That's what the diary indicates.” Ana cleared her throat as she continued. “He set fire to the house and ran to Orland Frees for help. Orland Frees and Nera Belton were having a sexual affair, and she was preparing to leave her husband. Orland was deeply entrenched in Voodoo and seemed to be a perfect match for her and her son."
"She's going to leave, so Jake kills her."
"Yes, and her son killed him in revenge."
"Orland is a practitioner of Voodoo?"
"I've already called Clara; there is no record that he was ever a registered member of her faith or that he's actively practiced. All of his knowledge and his devotion to the faith probably began and ended with Nera Belton. Upon her death, he took that knowledge and force-fed her disturbed son with it. He corrupted the religion and its beliefs when it suited him."
Kyra looked back to Orland, who was waving his arms as he spoke. “He picked up where Aaron's parents left off. Between the domineering mother and the abusive father, Aaron was already messed up beyond help. Killing his father must have pushed him right over the edge."
"Leaving it relatively easy for Orland to shape and twist him into what he is today."
"What about the choice of victim?"
"Aaron speaks of collecting and holding female spirits. He also believes that he must find the perfect woman for his mother to return. She'll need a body to live in.” Ana's mouth twisted in distaste. “Anyway, the diary clearly indicates that Orland orchestrated the killings from the very beginning. He didn't do any killing himself, but he made Aaron believe that it was the only way to bring his mother back."
"The other children?"
"The only mention of them is at the beginning. Aaron said he had to ‘silence them’ to protect his mission.” Ana cleared her throat. “A budding serial killer at seven."
Kyra looked back to the interrogation room. Orland was sitting in a chair and nodding briskly. Whatever Mason Lowery was telling him, he was accepting it without a single complaint. She expected that they'd be ready for her to rejoin them soon enough. It was time, she thought, to end this. After a moment, both men grew still. Mason Lowery came to the viewing screen and knocked on it.
She picked up her p-pc and checked her inbox. Ana had already forwarded all the reports concerning the diary to the unit. “He isn't getting a deal that lets him walk."
"Should I call the DA?"
"Yeah, and request that the commander come down.” She shrugged out of her jacket and dropped it on the empty chair beside Ana.
Out in the hall, she stopped and took a silent moment to prepare. She had Orland Frees, and she had Aaron with him. As soon as that was clear, she would have all the information that was needed.
Pushing open the door, she first looked at Mason, who was pale. She almost regretted bringing him in. She couldn't really regret it, and they both knew it. Since any apology would have appeared false, Kyra schooled her expression and sat down across from Orland.
"Jake Belton killed his wife and your lover. That night when Jake went to sleep, Aaron killed him to avenge the death of his mother. He came to you for help, and he's been with you ever since. Over the years, you trained him in the Voodoo that Nera had taught you, and prepared him for his mission. The mission you gave him.” She held up her hand when he would have spoken. “You convinced Aaron that he could resurrect his mother by hunting and murdering young women. He came home after each killing and told you what he had done and how he'd done it. Do you believe that he can bring his mother back to life by butchering women?"
"He believes it,” Orland said simply. “I want immunity."
"You'll get immunity over my dead body.” Kyra leaned back in her chair. “However, the DA is willing to take the death penalty off the table if you give me the information I need to take Aaron down before he kills again."
"I didn't kill anyone."
"Not directly.” Kyra studied Orland for a moment. “You took a damaged and disturbed child and twisted him further for your own pleasure. I'm not sure what you had to gain in all of this, but trust me when I tell you that I will find out."
"You don't know anything."
"I know that you used to be a powerful man who believed he had a mission from God.” She leaned back in her chair. “You were in love with Nera Belton despite her religious beliefs. You allowed yourself to be tutored in her religion so that you could bang her, and she fell for it. After the New South Militia fell, all of your power was gone. You could no longer control the men around you, and that must have been infuriating."
"Immunity."
"I'd sooner take out my gun and shoot you right now.” Kyra smiled when his mouth dropped open. “You think this isn't personal, Orland? You might have created a monster, but he's not on your leash anymore. I'll find out why you set him loose on the women of New Orleans like you did. You needn't worry that I won't. Aaron tried to kill a woman very close to me. If I find that was your idea ... you won't have to worry about going to prison."
"I had nothing to do with that."
"He brought the van to you after he did it. That's how I found you, Orland. Aaron knew that the victim had left her p-pc activated and in the van. I tracked it to find you. He delivered you to me on a silver platter. I imagine he thought I'd kill you.” She stood and stretched. “In truth, I'm beginning to regret that I didn't."
"Inspector.” Mason's tone was one of warning, but she caught the underlying amusement. “If you threaten my client again, this discussion is over."
Orland crossed his arms over his chest. “I want im
munity."
"It's not going to happen.” Kyra turned and met his gaze. “And if he kills again while you're playing this stupid game, the DA will not back down on the death penalty."
"You have to give me something."
"He killed a cop,” she murmured. “He killed a cop's kid. He marked a high-ranking city official for slaughter. He raped and tried to murder one of the richest women in the city."
"Aaron did all of that, not me."
"That's right. He did it all, but he did it because you convinced him that he should.” She pointed her index finger at him. “Don't think for a minute that the whole world won't know that you created a monster. You are not going to get out of this."
"Tell her.” Mason looked from Kyra's face to Orland's. “You should tell her before the deal is gone."
"Damn it, I can't go to jail."
"You forfeited that option the day you took Aaron Belton in."
"Maximum security with a private cell."
Kyra snorted. “Would you like a servant while we are at it?"
"I'm an old man. I won't last in jail without it."
"Fine, I'll speak with the DA.” Kyra walked towards the door. “This deal won't matter if he kills again before we can catch him."
* * * *
"It's acceptable.” Jessica watched Orland Frees move around the interrogation room with a frown of distaste. “I wish she'd killed him, too."
The door opened, and Kyra entered.
Ethan Baker grimaced. “The slimy son of a bitch in there doesn't deserve a single break."
"We can't wait for Aaron to fuck up and get caught.” Kyra walked to Ana and peered over her shoulder. “Any luck on connecting any of the victims?"
"No."
"Should we wait on a deal?” Jessica asked.
"No. God, we don't have time.” Kyra grimaced and looked back at her prisoner. “As sick and twisted as Aaron is, it's all Frees's fault. Aaron was doomed from the start."
"Pity, Inspector?"
"Yes.” She frowned as she admitted it. “Yes, pity. Aaron was a corrupt and vicious child, and he never stood a chance. Not a single one."
* * * *
Mason Lowery nodded and input his digital signature. “It's in order."
