Mitch noticed the badge clipped to Thompson’s belt when he stood up. It read “to protect and serve.” At his hip was a small holster with a silver chrome-and-black-trimmed pistol poking out. There was something final and deadly about the weapon. No doubt it was loaded, and no doubt it had been used over the years. Carolyn reached for Mitch’s hand under the table and squeezed it tightly, bracing herself for what was to come.

Carolyn happened to be sitting just to Thompson’s left, and when she glanced down and looked at the briefcase at his feet, she noticed a red file sticking up above the rest, labeled “Rachel and Evan Turner Homicide.” Next to it was a blue folder labeled “Daniel Turner.” How could these three lives be reduced to a few file folders? She shuddered to think of the pictures they might contain, and hoped nothing of that sort would be shown to the group. Then she realized that she needn’t fear anything of the sort, but she was getting used to having crazy thoughts. The room was thick with anticipation as Thompson began to speak.

“I was going to meet with just the family members down at the station, but due to the influx of media in town, I asked Tom if he and Anna would be kind enough to let us meet here.”

“We’re happy to do it,” Tom replied.

“I’ll start at the beginning, and I invite you to stop me to ask questions at any point. According to the statement given by Maryann Turner, who is Danny and Rachel’s adopted daughter,” he paused as he glanced at her, “and, as you know, Rachel’s cousin, the last time she saw Danny Turner alive was at approximately 7:30 p.m. on the night of Tuesday, November 16, when Mr. Turner left the Turner home to drive to a Steve’s Sporting Goods store that he managed in Copley for the stated purpose of firing Logan Vonda, an employee who was caught stealing by use of the video monitor.

“Previously that day, according to Maryann, Danny called and requested that she come to the Turner home to pick up his and Rachel’s two boys, Evan and Christopher, and bring them to her apartment for the night. Danny asked her for this favor because he told her that Rachel would be coming home late from Cleveland, and he wanted her to get a good night’s sleep because she was scheduled to start her new job the next day, meaning Wednesday morning.

“Maryann arrived later than planned, at approximately 7:00 p.m., by which time Rachel was just a short distance from home. Rachel arrived home at approximately 7:15 p.m.” The detective paused and asked, “Maryann, am I correct so far?”

“Yes, inspector, and he also kissed her on the cheek and congratulated her on passing the exam.”

Silence.

Then Pete looked at her and said, “You can’t be serious!”