You took a crowbar to your wifes face, Callaway said. Dont try to play the victim here.

I was drunk, Lucas insisted, as if this detail excused his behavior. But whoever did that He jabbed a finger at Harleys phone. Thats premeditated.

And youre not capable of it, is that what you mean? Harley answered dryly, not a hint of sympathy in her voice. Lonely loser, spying on a pool party. Not much of a leap to go from spying to stalking.

Lucas flung his hands out. Look, you gotta believe me! I would never do that. Just because I chase a little tail now and then dont make me a killer!

Actually, Harley answered, we dont have to believe you. She turned to Callaway, and Callaway knew she was waiting for him to begin reading Lucas his rights. Instead Callaway beckoned Harley over for a sidebar.

You cant possibly think hes innocent, Harley said in disbelief, glancing over her shoulder at Lucas, who watched them with a pleading expression on his face. All his bravado had melted like butter at the mention of murder.

Look at him, Callaway said in a low voice. Hes an animal.

Precisely, Harley insisted.

No, I mean he cant control himself. If he wanted to kill those girls, he would have beaten them to death with a tire iron in a fit of ragenot drive them all the way out into the desert and leave them blindfolded and tied up. Its not his MO.

Thats a dangerous assumption, Harley warned. Hes got guilty written all over him. Look what he did to his wife.

My point exactly, Callaway agreed. Pull up those pictures you have of the victimsthe deceased ones. Show me one sign of physical violence on either victim.

Harleys silence only convinced him further that he was on to something.

Callaway gestured at Lucas. This guy? Hes out of control, the very opposite of our killer. Would you get into a car with him?

Harley covered her face with her hand, a pained expression on her face. Callaway, we havent even checked to see if he has an alibi.

And how are we supposed to do that? The ME can tell us time of death, sure, but not when those girls were brought out to those mines. How can you expect someone to have an alibi for, I dont know, an entire week?

Hey, Lucas interrupted. Did you say something about an alibi? Cause if these murders are recent, I can prove I didnt do them.

Hows that? Harley said with undisguised skepticism.

Lucas grinned. Food poisoning, last two weeks. Just got out of the hospital two days ago. I was a little too busy puking my guts out to murder anyone.

Harley pulled out her phone. And if I call the hospital right now, theyll tell me the same story?

Suddenly Callaways own phone began to ring.