“Come sit with me,” Sam said, taking her by the hand and leading her to the bed, where they sat side by side while Sam filled her in on the resolution of the case.

“So Billy is dead too?” Brooke asked in a small voice.

“I’m afraid so.”

“That’s really sad for his parents after they lost Hugo.”

“It’s very sad indeed. Billy had every advantage—a family that loved him, the resources to go to college and a life filled with promise. His poor choices led to today’s outcome. You realize that, right?”

Brooke nodded. “And I get what you’re saying.”

“You’ve been through a terrible ordeal, and you’ve got a lot of work to do to come to terms with what took place in that basement. But at the end of it all, you’re going to be okay. You were very, very lucky to get out of there alive, and I hope you’ll make good use of your second chance.”

“I will, Sam. I promise I’ll make better choices in the future. I was wondering, though... Would it be possible for me to speak to Hoda at some point? I know my mom doesn’t want me hanging around with her anymore, but I’d like to thank her for what she did for me.”

“I’m sure we can arrange something once you’re home and settled, but of course it’s up to your parents.”

“Is she in trouble with you guys?”

“She’ll probably face charges for firing at us, but she helped us to hone in on Billy, so the U.S. attorney will probably file lesser charges because of that. It’s not really up to me.”

“What about her friend Nico? What’s happening with him?”

“He’s facing a misdemeanor gun charge, and he should be sent home today.”

“And Brody?”

“We discovered he was the fourth guy with you, but his participation was somewhat limited.”

“How do you mean?”

Sam explained what the DNA had indicated.

Brooke made a disgusted face and shuddered with revulsion. “How could he do that to me? I’ve known him forever.”

“I don’t know, honey. You have to figure the drugs and booze were making them do things they might not ordinarily do.”

“I guess. What will happen to him?”

“I hope he pleads guilty for what he did. Even if he pleads, he’s looking at lengthy jail time for videotaping the assault and not offering assistance to you, not to mention his own contribution...”

Brooke seemed to be taking it all in, and Sam was glad she was asking questions that had clearly been on her mind. “Thanks for finding out what happened to me and the other kids.”

“I’m glad we were able to get you the answers you need, but there’s one thing I want you to do for me.”

“What?”