When the sheriff spoke again, there was anger and determination on his face, and his right hand was balled into a fist.

“But justice will prevail. I can promise you that.” Lansing hammered his fist on the podium. “Because we have a suspect in custody. His name is Lionel Coyle, a man that Assistant District Attorney Burnside will be prosecuting to the fullest extent of the law.”

That revelation caused an instant commotion among the press. The reporters all started to fire off questions at once, but Kate Darrow’s voice rose above the others.

“What is the suspect’s relation to the family?”

“He’s a plumber who did some work at the house,” Lansing said.

His response prompted a flurry of other questions, only a few of which Eve was able to hear.

“Why did he kill them?”

“Was the boyfriend or the ex-husband involved?”

“Was he a member of a cult?”

“How were they killed?”

“Have you recovered the murder weapon?”

Lansing held up his hands in a halting gesture to silence the questions and continue with his statement.

“The quick capture of the monster responsible for this heinous crime is due, in large measure, to the exceptional investigative work of Eve Ronin, the youngest Robbery-Homicide detective in the history of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.”

He turned and waved her up to the podium. Eve stepped forward, mentally visualizing the notes she’d made on her legal pad, and faced the sheriff before addressing the press.

“Thank you, sir, but I’m just one of many detectives working on this case and don’t deserve the credit.” Eve now turned in the general direction of the cameras, the glare of the lights making it impossible to see the faces of the reporters or the lenses. “We are all deeply saddened and horrified by this senseless crime. Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of Tanya, Caitlin, and Troy Kenworth. We won’t stop until their bodies are recovered and laid properly to rest.”

“You said ‘senseless,’” Kate Darrow said. “Does that mean you have no motive for this crime?”

Before Eve could answer, Lansing quickly stepped up to the podium and gently, but firmly, shouldered her aside.

“We’ll be giving you photos of Mr. Coyle and his Toyota Corolla to share with your audience. We are very interested in his movements on Wednesday and Thursday of last week. If you saw him, please call our tip line. You can leave your information anonymously. That’s all for tonight. We won’t be taking any further questions at this time.”

Lansing led Eve, Moffett, and Burnside back into the station as reporters fired off a barrage of questions at their backs.

“I don’t want any of you talking to the press,” Lansing said to the three of them in the lobby. “From now on, any contact with the media will go through our media affairs office.”