CHAPTER 35

Time to Face the Music

Cyrus and I made our way back to the tent in time to see two black SUV's pull up and park. A tall man with salt and pepper hair exited the first car as well as three other agents, all dressed in dark suits and overcoats. Four more agents got out of the second car, two men and two women. They all hastily moved toward the taped off area around the cellar. It was apparent from the way the taller man carried himself and the way everyone suddenly appeared busy as he passed by that he was the one in charge—the one we'd been waiting for.

As soon as Barry saw his boss, he ended his conversation with his fellow agents and jogged over to him. You could practically see the star struck twinkle in his eyes as he looked up at the older man. While Barry talked, his hands made sweeping motions and then he pointed over at me. There was no doubt in my mind he was convincing his boss to throw the book at me.

The Agent in Charge didn't seem to be basking in Barry's adoration. In fact, he turned away from him mid-speech and addressed Agent Kinkade, seeming to prefer her. He listened intently to what she had to say, but he was staring at me, sizing me up. Once she finished speaking, the three of them disappeared down the stairs of the cellar.

It seemed like they were down there forever, but it was probably around ten minutes. Their faces were somber when they reemerged and started in my direction. My muscles stiffened; fight or flight impulse threatened to take over, but I held my ground. Hector must have sensed my fear because his arm came around me just when I needed the added strength.

"You're okay, Stephanie," Joe said from behind me and then I felt Ranger's hand clasp mine, intertwining our fingers. These men—my friends—were offering me a wall of strength. I stood a little taller.

The man that had been eyeing me with enough scrutiny to send me running, was now standing a mere three feet in front of me with Agent Kinkade and Barry flanking him. A triumphant smirk crossed Barry's face. He finally had reinforcement and was confident his boss was going to back him up.

My palms started to sweat.

Up close, I could tell that he was an attractive man, probably in his mid-forties. His hair was parted on the side and smoothed down. His suit was black and tailored to his fit body. He appeared polished… dignified. If there was ever a man who played by the rules, this was him. "Good afternoon, Ms. Plum, I'm Special Agent in Charge, Timothy Shaw." He held his hand out to me, his presence commanding respect. "I'm sorry for what you've endured."

I was sure he could feel the dampness on my palm as we shook. After he released my hand, Cyrus extended his for further introduction. "Cyrus Fusco, attorney for Ms. Plum."

"I know who you are." He raked his eyes over Cyrus, clearly irritated. "But your presence is unnecessary, Ms. Plum is not under arrest."

"You lawyered up fast." Barry leaned back on his heels, crossing his arms over his chest. "That's what guilty people do."

Cyrus tipped his head in Barry's direction. "That is the reason for my presence. It seems your agent is holding an adolescent grudge against my client. As I'm sure you've been made aware, Ms. Plum's doctor has filed a grievance report with your office against Agent Hobbs. While trying to ascertain what happened to my client during the time she was missing, your agent has verbally harassed her, threatened her with arrest, and put his hands on her in her weakened condition." While Cyrus calmly stated all of Barry's transgressions, Barry's face was getting redder and the vein in his neck was starting to pulse with rage. "And, after witnessing his idea of an 'interview,' I'd say Ms. Plum could use an advocate."

Agent Shaw's jaw tightened, making his aristocratic features appear hard as nails. "I have been made aware of the situation, Ms. Plum, and I apologize for Agent Hobbs' treatment of you. I would like to emphasize that you are not under arrest; you are a victim who can provide valuable eyewitness testimony. I hope you will cooperate fully."

"That is my clients wish, but she will also be invoking her right to counsel," Cyrus said.

"It is your right to have counsel present," Agent Shaw conceded even though he clearly didn't want Cyrus there. "I'm told you might be able to shed some light on what's down in that cellar?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Cyrus put his hand on my shoulder, and I cleared my throat to try again. "Yes, sir."

"Good. We need to get your statement on record." He turned to Agent Kinkade. "Is the interview area set up?"

Before Agent Kinkade could answer, Barry stepped closer to me, fists clenched and icy stare in place. "Now you decide to talk. You could have done that days ago, and maybe that man would be alive. But dead men can't talk, isn't that right Ms. Plum?"

My temper sparked. I really hated it when he called me Ms. Plum.

"For all we know, you played a part in what happened down there and then you murdered that man so he couldn't contradict your claim of innocence." Spittle flew from his mouth, landing on my cheek. I had to cross my hands over my chest to keep from smacking him across the face.

I tried to stand there and take his verbal abuse, but after holding my tongue while being forced to listen to Durant's hateful ramblings, I just couldn't do it again. It was like a cork popping out of a bottle of champagne. I blew. "You, arrogant prick."

"You've been lying through your teeth from the start." His voice got louder, dripping with contempt.

I didn't have to listen to Barry fucking Hobbs, I reminded myself. I'm Stephanie Plum. I'm a survivor. I squared my shoulders and dismissed him with a wave of my hand as I calmly addressed Agent Shaw. "Arrest me if you have too, but I'm not saying another word as long as he's present. If you want my statement, he needs to go. Nothing you can do to me will be worse than what has already happened." At this point, I didn't care if I went to prison, I just wanted Barry gone.

While Agent Shaw studied me carefully, Barry stood at his side, glaring at me with a smug smile on his face. He was sure of his place in the pecking order. After what seemed like an eternity, Agent Shaw gave a slight nod and then turned to Barry. "Agent Hobbs, head back to the main office for reassignment."

Barry's eyes bulged as he tore them away from me. "What!"

I bit my lip to keep from smiling. He'd been so sure Agent Shaw would be on his side he hadn't given any thought of the fall out of his actions.

"You heard me, Agent." A smart man wouldn't have questioned Agent Shaw, not when he was speaking in that tone. I imagine he could make Barry's professional life a living hell.

Barry turned back to me, lips curled and nostril's flaring like a bull getting ready to charge at a red cape. "You bitch!"

Hector growled and loosened his arms from around me, ready to shut him up. I had to pull on him to get him to stand down.

"You think you can snap your fingers and get me off this case." He looked around at all the agents, including Agent's Shaw and Kinkade before landing back on me. "Why am I the only one who can see you for the liar you are?"

His face turned red, reminding me of the old cartoons where steam came out of the character's head right before they exploded. A laugh escaped. I couldn't help it.

"You're crazy!" he said. "Anybody who was a part of that shit show down there has to be messed up!"

"You want to talk about messed up?" I laughed harder. It wasn't appropriate for the situation, but I couldn't help myself. They could judge me all they wanted. They hadn't lived with a psychopath for weeks. I shook my head from side to side and snarled. "You're pathetic. You've been fixated on me for years because I rejected you." I lifted my chin. "You're a narcissist and maybe even a psychopath like him." I pointed toward the cellar. "How you were able to pass the psychological evaluation to get such an important job is beyond my comprehension. You have no compassion… and no idea what I've been through, and I'm not going to listen to another man tell me shit."

"Is there something about your orders that isn't clear Agent Hobbs?" Agent Shaw was a commanding man, used to having his orders obeyed without question. Right now, they were being challenged in front of his subordinates and he wasn't happy.

"No, sir!" Barry's tone was mocking as he gave me a final once over. With fisted hands, he turned to walk away, muttering something about 'that crazy bitch.' I wanted to give him the finger. But with Special Agent in Charge Shaw standing in front of me, I was trying to project a ladylike demeanor or at least as ladylike as this Jersey girl could manage.

One of the other agents approached Agent Shaw and spoke quietly to him. When they were finished, Agent Shaw turned to me. "I'd like to record your statement if that's alright?" When I nodded, he continued. "I thought we could begin your interview inside the tent."

"That's highly unusual," Cyrus said, "shouldn't we go to the area field office where it's more comfortable and private?"

"I agree that these are unusual circumstances, but I can't leave the scene until it's been cleared. However, I'd like to begin understanding what transpired down there. I've requested a comfortable area be set up inside the tent where it's warmer. Mr. Fusco, Ms. Plum, follow me please." He started walking toward the evidence tent, head high and taking in everything around him.

I tried to follow, honest, I did. But I couldn't get my legs to move. I was starting to sweat in uncomfortable places. I didn't think I could tell them what Durant had done… not with Joe and Ranger listening. The thought of their pity was too much to bear. But I needed someone who cared about me and who would be on my side no matter what. Hector tightened his grasp on my hand at the same time I met his eyes, pleading with him to come with me. I knew he wasn't a fan of law enforcement and this was asking a lot, but I needed him.

When Agent Kinkade noticed we weren't following, she put her hand on Agent Shaw's elbow to get his attention. He turned and raised his eyebrow in question. "Problem?"

"I'd like my friend Hector to come with me." I held up our joined hands.

"Is he also a witness?"

"No."

"Another lawyer perhaps?"

"No."

"Then he'll need to remain here with the others." He was satisfied his orders would be carried out and once again set off for the tents. When he noticed we weren't following, he turned again. "Is there another problem?" he patiently asked.

I squeezed Hector's hand and with my eyes tried to convey the importance of my request to Agent Shaw. "I need him with me."

He paused for a moment and then gave a curt nod of acquiescence before he set off for the tent again.

The dried pine needles crunching under our feet broke through the eerie silence as we walked toward the evidence tent. That unshakeable sense of foreboding I'd been struggling to keep at bay was buzzing inside me like a swarm of killer bees. In a matter of minutes, I would be forced to confront the monster that turned my life upside down. Everyone would know what happened to me, down to the tiniest of details. My instincts screamed at me to flee, but I couldn't. I wouldn't. This was happening whether I wanted it to or not.

My doubts and fears were swirling around in my head. I tried to conjure pleasant thoughts, but nothing came to mind. Happiness seemed so long ago, like it belonged to another person in another life.

I knew Joe and Ranger were following behind. They had been patiently waiting for me to tell them what happened in the cellar. I'd shared my body with each of them, but they both managed to keep their deep dark secrets from me and now I didn't feel comfortable sharing mine with them.

As we passed the hatch, I glanced over and froze. The crime scene techs were bringing up a black body bag. I knew it was Durant. I could feel his evil all around me—even in death. Hector put his arm around me as they carried Durant's body past us and into the tent. I stood outside the flap, unable to go inside with—him.

The sound of horrified gasps brought me out of my daze. When I turned back to the cellar, I saw the top of a glass case slowly emerging out of the ground with a pulley system. As the case got higher, I was able to make out the skull of the woman and knew it was Jenny. I turned away, unable to look at her deteriorated body in the light of day.

I could feel the weight of Joe and Ranger's curious eyes, but I kept my head down unable to meet them. My emotions were so raw, I was afraid they'd be able to see through the flimsy façade I was putting up. If I let them see even a little of my pain, it would be all over for me. I'd break down into a useless sobbing mess.

As if we were part of a funeral procession, everyone parted to make a path, allowing the forensic investigators to carry Jenny into the tent and set her case in an upright position on a blue tarp. It disgusted me to see her housed in the same space as Durant. She deserved to be free from his presence.

They barely had time to release the ropes from the case before another round of gasps went out. We all stood in reverent silence as Sharon's case appeared next. With each new body, tensions rose higher. I felt the bystanders questioning gazes penetrating my battle-scarred skin. Some of the truly hardcore observers were outwardly nonplussed, professional under the worst of circumstances while they talked quietly about how big this case was going to be.

The others wore pained faces, internalizing the atrocities these women suffered, taking them to heart as if it had happened to one of their own loved ones.

Ranger, Joe, and the rest of the Merrymen alternated between watching my reactions as each woman emerged and trying to maintain their blank faces. At one point or another, they all failed. It was stupid to think nothing would faze them, but that's what I had thought—before.

An invisible weight had settled over everyone. By the time they brought Melissa up I wasn't sure I was going to be able to talk about what happened anymore. My throat felt like it was getting tighter and tighter, until I feared I'd choke. Just as I resolved to go into the tent and get this over with, the top of another case peeked out of the hatch. At first, I was confused. There had only been eight women, but then I remembered my case.

Everyone thought it was just another random woman, but when it was hoisted high enough for everyone to see it was empty, all heads swung toward me.

Joe's chest rose and fell as he took deep panicked breaths. For once, his face told me everything he was thinking. He knew whose case that was supposed to be, and he desperately wanted to grab me up and take me home, but I turned away. I didn't want to see his compassion. Not while I still had to finish this.

Ranger was less obvious. He had his blank face in place, hiding his emotions from everyone present, but I saw the pain and regret and other things I'd probably never know because he'd never tell me.

"This way, please," Agent Shaw said from behind me.

Before I could move, Morelli asked, "As a courtesy to the Trenton PD and as a part of the task force organized to find Stephanie, I'd like to sit in on her interview."

Agent Shaw thought about it for a moment and said, "Detective Morelli, Mr. Manoso, you are both welcome to join us, but only as observers." I tried not to let my displeasure show. I didn't want Ranger or Joe listening as I gave my statement, but after everything they'd done to find me, I couldn't very well shut them out.

One of the agents held the tent flap as we were ushered inside. The canvas sides provided an illusion of privacy, but you could still hear noises from outside and see the feet of those walking by. Several utility lights were stationed at various points making the area bright enough to see clearly. Hector, Cyrus and I were shown to a six-foot folding table where we were invited to sit, facing away from the black body bag and glass cases lining one side of the canvas wall.

There was a video camera set up on the other side of the table, aimed at me. This was more formal than I'd anticipated.

Ranger and Joe waited until I was seated before they each grabbed a folding chair and set them up along the back wall of the tent where they were out of view of the camera but could still hear and see everything that took place.

Two gas-powered heaters were set up in each corner of the tent, making the area a little too warm. I shrugged my coat off and put it on the back of my chair. Hector and Cyrus did the same. I clutched Hector's hand under the table, trying to project a calm demeanor as Agents Shaw and Kinkade took their seats across from us and got comfortable. Agent Shaw had several blue folders in front of him and Agent Kinkade had her laptop open and ready.

"Excuse me, Sir." A forensic tech handed Agent Shaw another file. We waited patiently while he read through its contents.

"The unknown male's prints didn't match anything in AIFIS?" he asked the tech.

"No sir," she replied.

I knew from my job as a bounty hunter that prints were only entered into the system if you had some type of job that required you to be printed or you had been arrested before. It didn't surprise me that Durant had no priors. He was meticulous and single minded in his pursuit. He would have made sure his tracks were covered.

"But we were able to match them with the partial print lifted from the pen Ms. Plum's mother gave us," she added.

My mom gave them a pen from Durant? How?

"What about the female victims? Have you been able to get an ID on any of them?"

"Sir, most of the bodies are so badly decomposed that printing will be difficult if not impossible. We'll need to use DNA analysis to make identifications on those. We can get prints from the more recent bodies, but it's my recommendation we wait until I get them back to the lab before opening the cases. Exposing the bodies to air will degrade the evidence."

The lines between Agent Shaw's forehead deepened. "How long will it take to get an ID?"

"Could be tomorrow. We have a lot to process and it'll take time to remove the bodies without damaging the evidence."

"Leave the cases here while you finish cataloging what's in the cellar. Once everything's back at the lab, I want those prints ASAP."

"Yes, Sir." Like a well-trained soldier, she returned to work.

Agent Shaw pressed the button on the video camera. "Today is Wednesday, January 30." He checked his watch. "It's 1:25 pm. I am Special Agent in Charge Timothy Shaw and with me is Special Agent Piper Kinkade, lawyer for the witness, Cyrus Fusco, Detective Joe Morelli, Trenton PD, and Carlos Manoso. Also, at the request of Ms. Plum for moral support, Hector—" He looked over at Hector, waiting for him to supply his last name.

Hector leaned forward and said, "Sanchez."

"Please state your full name for the record," Agent Shaw said to me.

I leaned forward in my seat, enunciating my name clearly. "Stephanie Michelle Plum." I sat back and watched as he shuffled the folders in front of him. He was wearing a golden band on his finger. His wife must be a strong woman to be involved with someone in law enforcement. I knew from experience the hours sucked and the worry… well it wasn't an easy job for the spouse. But I got the impression this was more than a job to him. He wasn't just a cog in the bureaucratic machine; his motivation was getting justice for those who'd been wronged.

"Is that necessary?" Cyrus' voice shocked me back to reality. I turned to see what had made him angry.

Agent Shaw addressed me. "Do you understand your rights as they have been read to you?"