Smoothing his mustache, Decker observed them for a moment, waited to see if they interacted at all. They didn’t. Decker entered the room, closed the door, and took a chair opposite Sue Beth and Earl. The cell was hot and humid and gave off a faint turpentine smell.

Decker pulled out a notebook and said, “Hello, Sue Beth.”

She managed a nervous smile.

Decker’s eyes shifted from her face to Earl’s. He looked at him for a moment, then said, “Hello, Earl.”

Earl looked down.

Sue Beth said, “Earl, answer the policeman.”

“Hullo, Mister Policeman,” he said. “How are you?”

“Don’t get fresh,” Sue Beth said.

“It’s okay,” Decker told her. “I’m fine, thank you, Earl.” To Sue Beth, he said, “Detective Dunn is unavailable today. But Detective Hollander said you’d be willing to talk to me.”

“That’s what I told him.”

“Detective Hollander also informed me that you’ve been advised of your rights, you understand them, and wish to have them waived. You signed a card to that effect, are you aware of that?”

“Yes.”

“You also have declined the presence of an attorney.”

“Yes.”

“Sue Beth,” Decker said, “I’ve requested an attorney be present for your questioning—”

“We don’t need no lawyer,” Sue Beth said. “My pappy was sure on that. No lawyers. Just let Earl tell the police what happened and get it over with.”

“It’s not that simple,” Decker said.

“Well, why isn’t it?” Sue Beth said. She seemed flustered.

Decker chose his words. “Earl can’t waive his rights like you or I can because legally he’s not considered a responsible adult.”

“I’m responsible for him,” Sue Beth said. “Have been for the last six years, when my mama got tired of seeing to his needs.”

“You may see to his needs, but you may not be legally responsible for him.”

“Doggone it!” Sue Beth blurted out. “I wanna do the Christian thing, and so does Earl. My baby brother wants to cleanse his soul and confess his sins, and you don’t want to hear him.”

“It’s not that at all—”

“What in tarnation is wrong with this world?” Sue Beth ranted. Her made-up cheeks had gone from blush to bright red. “I thought that’s what the police does. Listen to confessions.”

Police and priests, Decker thought. “A lawyer should be with us momentarily. He’ll advise us—”

“How long is momentarily?” Sue Beth said. “I’m not gonna wait here forever.”

Decker saw a mulish streak in her eye. What she couldn’t change with action, she’d impede with stubbornness. “Not too long, Sue Beth. Just hang on a second. Would you like something to drink in the meantime, a cup of coffee or tea or juice—”

“I like juice,” Earl said.

“Don’t be bratty, Earl,” Sue Beth said. “Ask nicely.”

Earl lowered his head and asked, “May I have juice, please?”