Page 18

We all sat around the large oval-shaped table. Despite the calmness of the presences in the room, the hidden nuances in the faces and the energy that bounced around us told a different story. It wasn't unusual for me to find myself in the bowels of bullshit. I stifled a yawn, swaying back and forth on the desk chair while I awaited whatever briefing the noobs decided to toss at us.

"You're probably wondering why we've asked you here," said Miller, glancing between us.

"Not so much," answered Anita, to my surprise. She crossed her legs and folded her hands in her lap. "The only cold case on my docket belongs to that of the Four Point killer."

Oh, the fire in that little imp. I leaned forward, my elbows on my knees while I watched the show play out before me.

Nora's expression remained calm and collected despite the way she wrung out the pen held in her lap. Her nervous habit, wringing her hands or twisting something to near destruction, manifested in a much tamer display today.

Miller and Walsh shared a glance.

"Yes," answered Miller. "We've decided to continue pursuing it. I've requisitioned all the files from several cross-county Cold Case units as well as the FBI. They've provided me with what I need, and I would like to schedule a time to meet with each of you individually to discuss your involvement. Perhaps explore some recommendations."

I noted right away that Miller spoke directly about herself, without an inclusive context despite her colleagues in the room. Her firm, near-ascetic demeanor would either soothe or terrify someone with a shaky ego. For me, however, I found her exceedingly amusing.

"My recommendation, Detective Miller, is that you leave this case with the FBI," answered Anita, her expression tightening faintly before she turned to Walsh. "And you know, very well, Andy, that I would say that. And yet, you've asked me here anyway."

Score, Anita. Total score.

"Anita, I ask you to hear her out—"

"I have heard quite enough, and that's my recommendation." Anita gestured between herself and Nora, her demeanor sickeningly calm despite her words. "A case as large as this belongs with a federal agency equipped to handle it."

Miller's brow narrowed at Anita, but she didn't rise to battle yet. She met Nora's gaze, and said, "Agent Brody, you're familiar with this case and a full-time federal employee."

Damn, she dug at Anita pretty good there.

"What do you recommend?" she asked, her gaze flickering to me for the briefest moment as if she sensed my energetic reaction to her.

"Before I can make any recommendation, Detective Miller, I'd like to know what your plans are for this case," Nora said, keeping her tone even as the tension in the room intensified.

Both men appeared to allow the three of them to duke it out while I looked on from the shadows. My favorite place to linger like a viper in tall grass.

"Fair question." Miller leaned back in her seat, gazing down at a tablet in her lap. "Our intention is to restart the case from the beginning and follow it forward. We plan to interview each law enforcement agency involved in the recovery of the bodies. I've already discovered that, despite the length of time this case has gone unturned, most professionals involved are still working in the field. We've set up interviews for the next two months."

"All of the law enforcement professionals involved?" Anita's gaze flickered to Walsh.

Walsh gulped, though cleared his throat as if to hide it. "All approved law enforcement professionals—"

"All law enforcement professionals involved," interrupted Miller. "Including the last four detectives who took on the case—"

"That has not been approved, Miller—"

"I don't care, Sir." Miller never looked at Walsh when she responded, her eyes trained on Nora. "All of them."

Moreno's eyes widened while he watched the display as if following a ping-pong ball bouncing back and forth down the table.

"Miller's team has not been approved to interview any law enforcement involved after twenty-eleven," Walsh said, his tone firm. "And we're leaving it that way until all previous leads are followed." He glanced to Miller now, his brow narrowed. "Miller will follow protocol."

That seemed to dampen her flame only slightly. She frowned at him before looking back to Anita and Nora.

"We intend to follow protocol, but I won't settle for leaving any stone unturned. If we follow all leads to no avail up until the time frame indicated, I will revisit my request," she said, her narrowed eyes seeded with the depth of her defiance.

"Detective Miller." Anita leaned forward then, her posture softening with it. "I recognize the passion you have for this case and your desire to seek justice for the women who died."

"Yes, ma'am," answered Miller, in an almost-military style response.

"I hasten to caution you on the fundamentals of this case for all those involved." Anita's soft, gentle tones seemed to leave her in soothing waves. "For each victim, there is a family. For each law enforcement professional, there is the devastation of not being able to solve these heinous crimes coupled with their own humanity. I urge you to keep the delicate nature of those involved at the forefront of your decision-making."