Gleeson huffed out a derisive laugh. “Define ‘evil.’”

Eban tapped the picture of the little boy. “That’s evil.” He tapped the photo of Debbie Abbot’s dead body. “Whoever did that. That’s evil. Whoever murdered Martin Carstairs in his sleep and butchered Adele Surrey, they’re evil. How would you define it?”

Gleeson stared at Eban then looked away. Sweat coated the man’s forehead. He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped it away. “I have no comment. I’m tired and want to rest.”

“Was your office actually broken into? Or did you stage that after you kidnapped Corinne so you could hide evidence?”

Gleeson frowned and said slowly, “I didn’t kidnap Corinne. She called me and told me she was in Anchorage. I told you this but you’re apparently stupid as well as incompetent.”

“Kim…” his lawyer warned.

“What?” Gleeson snapped. “They can sit and repeat the same accusations over and over again, but I can’t call it like I see it?”

“They are the police.”

“And you’re supposed to be my fucking attorney, but you’re useless. You’re fired. I want a new lawyer.” He raised his voice until he was almost shouting.

“Did you do it, Kim? Did you kill them?” Signy asked quickly.

The glare Gleeson shot Signy made the hair on Eban’s nape stand to attention.

“Leave me the fuck alone, Detective. I’ve had enough of you today. I’ve had enough of everyone. I want to be left alone.”

“We can take a short break and contact another attorney on your behalf.” Eban wanted to check on Darby anyway. He didn’t want Gleeson thinking he was in charge here. He wanted him rattled. “I’ll have an officer escort you back to your cell so you can take a short nap. In the meantime, I can either arrange for a court appointed attorney or you can give me a name to call.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

“Darby?”

She heard Elliot Byrne calling for her a moment before he poked his nose into the conference room. Allan Robertson hurried up to the door and blocked his entry.

Darby was grateful for a break from the monotony. She stood and headed toward Elliot. She’d spent most of the afternoon going completely stir crazy. She wanted to help with the investigation, but the cops weren’t letting her ever since they’d brought Dr. Gleeson in for questioning. That his receptionist, Corinne, had been attacked and was in the hospital had shocked Darby to her core. The woman was a sweetheart.

“I thought I’d come see how you were doing. Any developments?”

“You probably know more than me.” She smiled her thanks at Allan and walked with Elliot over to the coffee area. “Can I get you anything? Tea, coffee, hot chocolate.” She indicated the area with a flourish.

He laughed. “No thanks. I see you’ve been welcomed into the fold and made yourself at home.”

She bobbed one shoulder. “Now they don’t believe I’m a knife-wielding maniac they’ve been pretty nice to me.” She covered her mouth as a sob escaped. She was trying to cope with what had happened by using humor, but the grief of losing Martin and Adele was too sharp and it sliced through her with unexpected ferocity.