“It looked like your car.”

“It did but it wasn’t. It was a rental.”

“Seems like you put a lot of energy into taking Bertram and Kathrine to Germany.”

“I did.” She paused. “They needed to be together. Anyone could see that. I just helped.”

Decker said, “How much money did you get for it?”

“I didn’t ask for anything,” she said. “Just for the tickets, the rental, the hotel, and expenses.”

“You didn’t receive anything beyond your expenses?” McAdams asked.

“I didn’t say that. I said I didn’t ask for anything. Once we all got to Germany, Bertram insisted on giving me something for all my help.”

“How much did he pay you for helping him?”

“None of your business!”

Decker said, “Bertram didn’t have access to a lot of money while he was in the States.”

“Well, maybe not in the States, but he has access to plenty of money in Germany. And how much compensation he gave me isn’t your affair.”

“Indeed, it’s not,” McAdams said. “Unless charges are brought against you for kidnapping.”

“I didn’t kidnap anyone. They were going to leave anyway. I just helped.”

Decker said, “Right now, kidnapping is the least of your worries, Elsie.”

“I know. I will go to prison. It was in self-defense, but I’m sure you don’t see it that way. Nonetheless, I had to set the record straight. I refuse to hide and be a fugitive, because I did nothing wrong. It was an accident, and she had no chance of survival.”

Decker said, “How do you know that? You said she was barely breathing.”

“I was there. You were not. Now it will be up to my lawyer and a jury.” She stood. “I have nothing more to say. I’m tired and hungry, and I’d like to rest in a jail cell.”

“Okay,” Decker said. “Elsie, I’m going to charge you with murder, among other things. I’m going to read you your rights.” He turned to McAdams. “Do you have the card?”

Tyler sprang up. “I’ll get one.” He left.

“What card?”

“It’s a card that tells you your rights. You sign it after I say them out loud to you.”

“Okay. And what happens after that?”

“We have a holding cell here in the station house. You’ll be booked on the charges—”

“What charges besides murder?”

“Murder, tampering with evidence, concealing a body, kidnapping—”

“I told you I didn’t kidnap anyone.”

“Sometimes not all the charges stick, okay?”

“Good.” She shrugged. “What happens once I’m booked and in jail?”

“I’ll get you some lunch and consult with my captain on the charges.”

McAdams was back with the card. Decker Mirandized her, and once that was over and she signed the card, he said, “You’ll be appointed a lawyer unless you have one.”

“I don’t have a lawyer.”