Jesse Cooper waited in the foyer to be escorted to his room. As Ethel had predicted, the police were going to question them separately. At least that became clear when Detective Mancini took charge. Jesse hoped he’d given Ethel enough information so that their telling of events would be consistent. Maybe it wasn’t that important. Jesse had read that eyewitness reports often vary because of the stress and trauma of the incident.

But there had been something in the brief exchange between Mancini and Ethel that signaled more was going on than met the eye. Ethel might have deceived Officer Tepper, but Mancini appeared to know better. Jesse decided he shouldn’t stray far from the truth and only omit Ethel’s video recording of the crime scene. They hadn’t touched anything, so it wasn’t like they’d tampered with evidence. He would stick with the story that she’d gone back into her house to phone for help. However, what Ethel might have done in Jonathan’s room was another matter, and Jesse was happy to remain ignorant.

The front door opened, and Officer Garcia entered. “Show me to Finch’s room and then go to your own.”

Jesse hadn’t been sent to his room since he was fourteen.

“For how long?”

Garcia shrugged. “Until Mancini calls for you. You’ll probably know before me, kid.”

The word “kid” rankled, but Jesse let it slide. Instead, he went quickly up the stairs, leaving the young policeman to scramble after him. Jesse passed the open door to his own room, hurried down the hall, and stopped at Finch’s.

“This is it.” Jesse noticed light shining beneath the door.

Garcia reached his hand for the knob.

Jesse said, “Detective Mancini said no one was to enter before him. And you’re neither gloved nor booted. It would be my duty to tell him if those instructions weren’t followed, kid.” Jesse smiled as Garcia’s face reddened. “If you need me, my room’s at the other end of the hall. Just knock.”

Without waiting for a response, Jesse pivoted and retraced his steps till he stood in his doorway. He turned to Garcia and stared at the patrolman positioned outside Finch’s room. Then he made an okay sign as if approving the officer’s placement and closed the door behind him.

He checked his laptop and saw Tracy had signed off from their Skype session. He thought she might be in class so he sent a WhatsApp text:

I’m safe man shot outside house let me know when you can talk.

Then he put on jeans, sneakers, and an American University sweatshirt. His first class wasn’t till two in the afternoon, but he would skip it if things were still unfolding at the house. And he had questions for Ethel.

His phone chimed. Tracy texted:

OMG u r supposed to be in safe part of dc could have been u