THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE GLASS IN THE INTERROGATION ROOM WAS A SPACE THAT FEW PEOPLE EVER SAW. It reminded Kaleb of a walk-in closet. The interrogation room itself was fifteen by fifteen foot square with off-white walls, a gray metal table, three chairs, and fluorescent lighting humming overhead. The viewing room matched the interrogation room’s length but was only a third of the width. Along one wall, it held a small table supporting a computer monitor and some recording equipment. The rest of the space was dedicated to observation.
Kaleb leaned against the back wall. Two senior homicide detectives stood with their noses to the glass as an FBI agent questioned Brad Dunham in the interrogation room. Brad, of course, wasn’t a suspect of any kind, but he might have possessed information about why his family had been chosen or he might have seen something that he didn’t even realize was pertinent. The FBI agent handled Brad with skill and consideration, not pushing too hard but deep enough to get the information they needed. Brad was being helpful but was also growing visibly anxious and agitated. Time was running out, and he knew it.
The door to the observation room opened, and the light stung Kaleb’s eyes. Captain Maria Duran, Kaleb’s mother, walked into the darkness and shut the door behind her. She squinted as her eyes adjusted, and she noticed him in the corner. “What the hell are you doing in here?” she said.
“He wanted to observe the questioning, boss,” one of the lead detectives said.
Her gaze didn’t leave Kaleb. “I would think that Detective Duran would have better things to do than stand around. We do have two people about to be killed out there somewhere.”
Kaleb resisted the urge to rise to her challenge. Instead, he maintained his composure and said, “I’m glad you’re here, Captain. I have an idea that might buy those people some time.”
“The best way to help them is to do your job.”
“Fine, but I was thinking that—”
A commotion in the interrogation room drew the attention of the group. Brad Dunham knocked over his chair and screamed, “I should never have gone to the police! I hope you’re doing more than asking me a bunch of pointless questions!”
The FBI agent tried to calm him down, but fear had overcome Brad’s sensibilities, and he stormed from the room.
“Go after him,” Captain Duran said to one of the detectives.
The detective hurried from the room, and Maria Duran said, “Okay, Kaleb, what’s your big idea?”