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“Yeah. I want to make sure that I ask all the right questions and we get all the right answers.”

“You will. Maybe not on the first interview, but when you get the others to corroborate their stories.”

“True.”

The department was bustling with people, some filing complaints or missing person reports, and some being fingerprinted and photographed. Phones rang, people chatted,and papers shuffled in a constant barrage of sounds. The occasional siren could be heard in the distance, a reminder of the urgency and importance of the police department's work.

The faint scent of coffee and the sharp odor of cleaning supplies wafted through the air, with a hint of sweat and nervousness. The familiar smell of ink and paper from fingerprinting kits lingered in the background. Due to the bears’ heightened sense of smell, everything seemed sharper.

Monica showed her badge to the officer. “I need to speak to Teague Moore and Lionel Boyer separately. Harvey Marquart after that.”

“Yes, ma’am. You too, Andy?”

“I’ll let Agent O’Connell do all the questioning, but I’ll listen in.”

The officer shook his head, smiling. “Most of us have a love-hate relationship with the FBI when we try to investigate a case, and then they take it over. But you’re starting to be on better terms with at least one of them.”

Andy laughed. Then he listened from the viewing room while Monica interviewed Teague first.

When she entered the room with a few papers, Teague glanced at Monica, raised his brows, and tilted his chin up arrogantly.

“Okay, you’re in a lot of trouble right now.” Monica sat in the chair on the opposite side of the table from Teague, started the recording, and read him his rights. Then she leaned forward, closing the gap between them in more of an intimidating stance.

“I haven’t done anything.” He shoved his hands in his pockets but didn’t move away from her.

“You were carrying a bag that contained ransom money paid for the kidnapping of Helen Wright.”

“Says you. It’s not so. You have no proof. I’ve never met you before.”

“I hate to inform you that both the trooper and I were wearing body cams that showed everything that happened at the cabin.”

Teague’s jaw dropped. He leaned back away from her, trying to distance himself now as if she had actual evidence.

“So even if you and your cohorts all said the same thing, that they’d never seen us, it won’t wash. Oh, and the federal agents picked up all the handcuffs we’d used on you and obtained the DNA from them, so you won’t be able to lie your way out of this.” Monica sat back in her chair. “Where are the others?”

“Hell, if I know. That trooper tackled me and handcuffed me, and then I was hauled off to jail.”

“Okay, well, we have Lionel also. Where would Eloise and Denny go next? With all the money, right? Do you trust them to hold onto your money also?”

“We already got our cuts.” Teague sat immobile, staring at her, unexpectedly telling her about his complicity. He looked just as surprised to realize he had done it, pulling his hands out of his pockets and running them through his hair. “I mean?—”

“So, how much did you get?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Okay, look, I want a deal.” He kept talking before she could tell him it would be up to the district attorney. “I got five thousand dollars.”

“How much was paid in total?”

“We all got five thousand.”

At least, she was sure that’s what Denny told them. But she was also certain that he would have had the lion’s share and wouldn’t have told his minions how much he was actually getting from the deal.

“Where would Denny and Eloise have gone, and why did you and Lionel head out the back door while they were driving off in their car?”

“I have no idea where that bastard took off to. We’re all in on this together, and then suddenly, it’s every man and woman for himself. Eloise goes along with everything he says or does. She’s like a cult follower.”

“But you?”

“Hell, the two took off while I was in the bathroom, and Lionel was out on the back deck smoking. That’s when I heard Dennis and Eloise leave quickly and knew Lionel and I were in trouble. They just left us to take the fall!”