DON’T DO ANYTHING to jeopardize our future.

While she stood in the studio watching the college kids set up for the talk show, Abby fidgeted nervously and prayed. Lord, please, you know my heart in this. I just want the truth. She prayed for the right words, and for forgiveness, though technically she was not doing anything out of policy —unless she released confidential or unsubstantiated information.

Abby and Luke sat down on the black-and-gold couch across from the grad student who hosted the show, Jay Casey.

The crew who ran the show did their best to put her at ease, but nervousness rippled through her like waves on the beach. Next to her, Luke was the picture of calm, and she hoped that would help her when the questions started.

“Good morning, Long Beach! I’m Jay Casey and today we have two special guests, both local heroes: one you know —Luke Murphy, our favorite private investigator —and the other hero is also someone who knows great personal tragedy.

“Thank you for being with us today, Luke and Detective Abigail Hart.”

“My pleasure.” She and Luke spoke at the same time, but then Casey directed his questions to Abby.

The interview started and Abby’s butterflies disappeared. First Jay asked her about her background, and she shared the story of the Triple Seven and her own odyssey.

“I can’t imagine having your parents murdered and never finding out why or by whom. So where does the investigation stand now?”

Abby swallowed. “Well, I’m not sure. Governor Rollins has decided the California Highway Patrol will do a better job at the investigation. The LBPD doesn’t have it anymore.”

“So you’re saying that Governor Rollins has taken the investigation away from the LBPD?”

“Yes. While I have great respect for the highway patrol, the Triple Seven investigation is not their jurisdiction.”

“Do you think the governor is hiding something?”

“I don’t know what to think. All I know is that for the first time in twenty-seven years we had some new information —information I can’t comment on —and the governor snatches the investigation away. Maybe you can ask him, Jay. Maybe he’ll come on GMLB and tell everyone why he did that.”

“Wow, that’s quite a story,” Jay said. “It almost sounds as though the governor is trying to cover something up, doesn’t it?”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Abby said, “at least this early. Who knows? Maybe the CHP will solve the case once and for all.”

“I wouldn’t be as charitable as Detective Hart,” Luke chimed in. “To me this definitely looks like a cover-up.”

“Heavy charges to make. Maybe after twenty-seven years it just can’t be solved.”

“I don’t believe that for a second,” Abby said. “Good luck for bad people can’t last forever. I look forward to a perp walk with my parents’ killers center stage.”