The small interview room had no windows and no clock, but it was a vast improvement. Conor shifted his weight, then sat up and rolled his shoulders. His decision to wait for an attorney had slowed the entire process. They hadn’t said anything, but that announcement had probably solidified his guilt in the cops’ eyes, but he could practically see the railroad tracks spanning his body. There was no way he was talking to Jackson or anyone else without a lawyer in the room. His younger brother had gotten in enough trouble in his youth. Conor had learned the basics of the legal system keeping Danny out of juvenile detention.

The door swung open, and a thin, blond man strode in. Gold cuff links winked in the glare of the overhead light as he held out a hand. “Damian Grant. I’m your attorney.”

Conor shook it. Everything about the young lawyer, from his short, edgy haircut to his slim suit pants, looked expensive. Where had Pat found this guy? “Thanks for coming.”

“It’s my job. Right now, I need you to tell me everything. Don’t leave anything out.”

“I didn’t do anything.” Panic sliced through the numb sensation in Conor’s gut as he related the events of the night Zoe disappeared. “The police will investigate. They’ll find whoever’s responsible, right?”

“You’ve been watching too much TV.” Damian slid into the seat opposite Conor, linked his fingers, and leaned on his forearms. The gel on his wavy hair gleamed in the light. “There are several extenuating factors in this investigation. First of all, the police would love to find this girl alive. Every minute she is still missing decreases the chances of that happening. They already have one dead girl. They don’t want another. Secondly, if you’re here, then they think you’re responsible.”

Conor opened his mouth to protest, but Damian cut him off with a raised palm. “I know. You’re innocent. Let me finish. As always, political issues come into play as well. Jackson wants to close this case as quickly as possible. His boss is breathing down his neck. The captain wants to be mayor, and a string of murdered college girls isn’t on the road to office.