"Misses Johnson, do you know why we brought you in?"
After a quick but formal introduction, Steve decided on a gentle approach at first, seeing what exactly he was up against. Many times, child abuse happened in a home that also had other domestic abuse issues.
As it was, Doloris Johnson trembled ever so faintly. Her hands kneaded a paper napkin vigorously, and yet, the woman barely managed to look him in the eyes.
When she did, she reminded him of a cornered deer, staring back at a hunter in undisguised terror.
"Does this have something to do with Mavis?", she asked with her voice breaking.
Trying to make his body language appear as non-threatening as possible, Steve slowly sat down across from her and straightened out the tie against his chest. Out of the corner of her eye, Doloris followed his every move, as if she expected him to lash out and attack her at any second.
Steve nodded slightly, before letting his fingers trace over the case file in front of him. It was that part of his job he hated the most. Breaking the news of a loved one's death. Despite his training in psychology, there was absolutely nothing he could do to soften the blow.
Death was death, and the younger the victim, the worse the task became.
"Yes, Misses Johnson, I am afraid there is no easy way to say this, but Mavis is dead. We found her body a few days ago in a drain pipe on Ocean Beach."
Contrary to his expectation, Doloris barely moved.
Only a single tear escaped her lowered eyes, and slowly disappeared underneath her jaw line. Trying hard to keep her composure, she bit her lower lip as a wave of pain rushed through her.
Steve instinctively wanted to get up and offer support, but he knew that somebody with an abusive past wouldn't necessarily consider an empathetic touch or hug a gesture of comfort. Instead, he decided to stay seated and waited calmly, until she looked back up.
Running a shaky hand through her dark curly hair, the woman in her mid-fifties drew in a deep breath.
"I knew in my heart that it was her when I heard it on the news."
Steve clenched his jaws and let his green eyes trace over the woman sitting across for him. Doloris was almost curled up in a fetal position in her chair. Pain and guilt radiated through every pore of her body. And whatever chilling memories of the past were playing out in front of her inner eye, it seemed to turn her features into stone.
"Ma'am, when was the last time you saw your daughter?"
There it was again.
That brief wave of terror flashing across her eyes, as she exhaled slowly before answering. Steve knew he had her cornered.
"A couple of months ago. She was having behavioral issues. A typical teenager, you know. And one day she said she was going to the market and didn't return."
The unexpected answer stunned him for several long seconds. How could anybody in their right mind not worry about a fourteen-year-old girl vanishing from home?
Steve felt resentment rise within at the casual tone the woman used to describe what would otherwise be any parent's worst nightmare. Taking a deep breath, he leaned back in his chair and eyed his suspect skeptically.
"And you never reported her missing? Didn't go to the police or child services?"
Doloris continued to knead the paper napkin and her efforts were increasing tri-fold as the conversation continued on.
"Well, Inspector, she was…a free spirit. She had many friends in the area, so I thought maybe she just wanted to…you know…run away. Feel like a real adult. I guess, I figured she'd be back soon."
Feeling the heart pound in his chest as his agitation turned into overwhelming fury, Steve took a deep breath, deciding on whether to keep his composure or lash out at the lady.
Mike had said to work her hard, but there was a chance she might clam up if he pushed too far. Then again, sending her back to an abusive home with a husband who might kill her if he thought she gave away information didn't seem a good choice either.
Perhaps it was time to increase the intensity of the interview.
"No…no you didn't. See, you knew exactly where she ran off to and why. That's why you didn't report her missing. Because you didn't want to have your families' name tarnished. After all, what would the neighbors think, right?", Steve growled and watched her almost duck in her chair, "What are you doing? Covering for your husband? So he doesn't beat you?"
Doloris began to tremble harder, as she vigorously shook her head.
"I do not understand what you are talking about, Inspector. I am not covering for anybody."
Getting up from his chair, Steve began to pace the room. Hoping that feigned anger and pressure from his side might drive her to make mistakes, he came up from behind, before slamming his open palm hard against the table.
Doloris flinched so violently that she would have fallen out of the chair, had he not held onto it.
"Let's quit wasting time with lies, shall we?! Point one. Your husband beat both, you and your daughter.", raising his index finger as he counted on, Steve glared at Doloris furiously, "Point Two. We know Mavis had a drinking habit. Why? Was it her way to escape reality?...Point three. She was pregnant. That's why she ran away a couple months ago. She was mortified of what your husband would do to her. And I bet he's the one who worked her over with his fists and a belt, a few days before she was killed, because that's what any cowardly bastard would do. What I need to know from you is…who did he hire to have her murdered?"