“I haven’t been able to examine Mo… Maureen extensively, so this is all based on what I’ve heard and seen so far. We know Maureen comes from privilege. Let’s say she didn’t have a lot of love and support in her life. She doesn’t understand give-and-take. For her everything was transactional. She wanted to call the shots, be in charge, be the person people looked up to. Over the years, she sought out people she could control. When they resisted her efforts or fought to gain independence, she lashed out, determined to hurt them before they hurt her. Something triggers her, and she walks away from this life, and the pattern continues, only this time it’s with these vulnerable kids. Kids like Vic and Nate, with no family or support system and zero self-esteem. She gives them what they need. At first it’s the basics, food and shelter, then it’s emotional support. She builds them up, makes them feel loved. She becomes this motherly figure who fills the missing void in their lives.”

“Okay. What motivates them to start killing?” Wishard asked.

“People like this, their delicate sense of self-worth relies on no one ever challenging them or second-guessing them. When something goes wrong, when she’s slighted or perceives some kind of slight, she loses it. She wants revenge. She doesn’t strike me as the type who likes getting her hands dirty. I bet Vic is telling the truth that he did the killings, but I can almost guarantee she ordered it, and even watched. I don’t believe Mo was having sex with these kids. She was fucking with their minds, which is even more powerful. I believe she sanctioned these crimes and was at times an enthusiastic observer. These kids become her proxy, willing to steal, kill, go to prison for her. There’s nothing she can’t convince them of once she’s earned their love.”

Wishard sighed and took off her glasses, rubbing her tired, bloodshot eyes. “It’s a solid theory. Trouble is we have zero evidence to hold her. I was hoping Nate would say something to implicate her, but the detective I sent over said it’s no use. Kid’s gone mute. We’ve got nothing but theories, which won’t hold up in court.”

“What about the kid who attacked the coworker and Maureen’s family?” Christian asked.

“He turned eighteen last year and was moved from the juvenile facility to big boy prison. I’ve got someone heading out to Victorville to speak to him, but it’s a long shot. He never wavered in his story. He said the attacks were all his idea.”

“And Mo’s husband?” Becca asked, hearing the desperation in her voice.

“Won’t even speak to us. His lawyer said he wants nothing to do with Maureen or this investigation.”