Im telling you, there was nothing suspicious about those conversations. Just the typical things girls their age talk about.

Which you would know about, of course, Harley thought, amused, but she decided she had ribbed him enough. She kept her focus on the case instead.

That doesnt mean she didnt have conversations about those girls, she answered. We need Candys phone.

And for that, we need a warrant. I can talk to the judge, but itll take some time to…

Harley had stopped listening. She was thinking of the look she had seen in Candys eyes at the mention of being followedthe suspicion on the surface and the hint of fear beneath it.

Shes already spooked, she murmured.

What? Callaway said, stopping mid-sentence.

If shes the killer, she didnt take those girls all the way out into the middle of nowhere so their bodies would be discovered within a few weeks. We got lucky, and thats gotta scare her. She must have been terrified when we showed up at her door.

Callaway considered this. If shes the killer, he agreed.

Harley twisted so that she was facing Callaway. We have to bring her in, she said earnestly as a plan of action formed in her mind. Speed was keythey had already waited too long, and every passing hour gave Candy another chance to run.

Callaway frowned. Bring her in?

Shes a flight risk. By the time a judge signs off on a warrant for that phone, assuming they do, she could be in the breeze. Then well have nothing.

Callaway seemed to be hesitating, so Harley decided to press her case.

She could be the murderer, luring these young girls out to remote locations.

Whats the motive? Someone raped them.

Possibly, Harley allowed. Or it was just rough sex. Maybe Candy has a boyfriend. She lures them out, her boyfriend has his way with them. Then they leave them to die. They get to have their fun without really getting their hands dirty.

Id say whoever did this got plenty dirty. He tapped his fingers on the wheel in a listless, halting pattern. Harley could see the gears turning in his headat a frustratingly slow pace, for sure, but turning nonetheless.

You already have the evidence, she insisted. Both of the victims knew her and were in frequent contact with her. How is that not suspicious?

Its suspicious, sure. But its not a smoking gun by any means.

She leaned toward him eagerly. She sensed he was close to being convincedshe just needed to push him over the edge.

So we bring her in, leave her on ice for a few hours, Harley said. See if we can get her to talk. If she has an accomplice, she might flip on him.

Callaway grimaced as if he had just found a hair in his omelet. Youre playing a bit fast and loose here.