Warren read from the pages. “Samantha had three convictions before being committed to a state mental hospital at the age of seventeen—for involvement in a brutal killing. She was released several years back, but six months ago, decided to look up her sister—a sister that goes into hiding just before this reunion.” He looked up at Gavin. “And Samantha doesn’t fit a profile?”

Instead of arguing about Samantha’s past, Gavin wanted to focus on the strategy they needed to take during the interview with her. “How do you want to do this?”

“She’s not going to be easy to talk to. I’m expecting a struggle.”

“I wouldn’t imagine she’d sit calmly while being grilled about involvement in her sister’s murder.” Gavin’s tone was biting, stress getting the better of him.

“Yeah, but it would make our job easier if she did,” Warren said, equaling Gavin on the sarcasm. “By the way, how did you get a hold of that? Those are sealed. She was a juvenile then.”

“I have my connections,” Gavin said as his secretary poked her nose into the office.

“Samantha Ritcher’s here,” she said.

Warren got up first. Gavin followed him out of the office.

Samantha appeared much older than her years. Time in a facility and probably a drug addiction now had taken their toll. Gavin had seen the look of an addict enough to recognize it immediately. Her mousy brown hair was long and greasy, streaked with gray. Deep furrowed lines accentuated an ashen complexion and watery, bloodshot eyes. She was thin, almost too thin and held a cigarette through trembling fingers.

“Samantha, I’m Detective Gavin and this is my partner Detective Warren.” He couldn’t help but notice how on edge she seemed. “You’re probably wondering why we’ve asked you to come in. We’d like to ask you some questions about your past, maybe find out a little more about you.”

“I’m only here because I thought you were trying to find my sister’s killer. I thought you had some news about it. What right do you have to question me?” she protested immediately, becoming defensive and angry.

“Your sister’s been murdered. It’s standard procedure to talk to everyone, especially family members. They get asked first. Your help allows us to rule you out and go after the monster who did this. We don’t want to waste our time questioning you when the real person is out there, so the quicker we complete this, the quicker we can move on.” Gavin reiterated, “It’s standard procedure.”

Samantha Ritcher nodded, seemingly accepting this explanation.

“What did you do time for?” Warren asked.

“How dare you dig this shit up!” she yelled. “What the hell does that have to do with Francine?” Samantha jumped up from the chair. “I don’t have to listen to this.”