Fine, he panted, noticing that she was already catching her breath while he was still laboring.

You sure about that? Youre bleeding.

***

It turned out the blood had come from scraping up against the concrete blocks. It was nothing more than an abrasion, but Danielles tight-lipped look at him as a young EMT at the local precinct cleaned and bandaged it told Morgan that he wasnt going to get to blow it off and deal with it himself later.

They were in one of the interrogation rooms. It wasnt as nice as the one at FBI Headquarters. Not that that one was the Ritz or anything. This one had a bit of a smell to it, though. Some unholy combination of sweat and fear with an underpinning of urine.

Morgan checked over the job the young woman with the braided pigtails had done on his arm. Not half bad. He flexed his arm and rotated his shoulder. Itd do. Thanks, he told her.

She gave him a nod. Youre going to want to put some antibiotic cream on it. Just in case.

Got it, he assured her, barely managing to keep himself from rolling his eyes.

As soon as the door clicked shut behind the young woman, Danielle sat down on the table next to where he sat. What the hell were you thinking this time, Morgan? He had on heavy boots. There wasnt an unfair advantage this time.

What had he been thinking? I wanted to slow him down a bit. And hed known he could do it. He could see exactly what was going to happen and how he could help. It had worked, too.

She sighed and stood. Well, you did that. You realize youve created a stack of paperwork for me now, though. She pointed at the bandage on his arm.

He winced. He knew exactly what that was like. Sorry.

Its okay. She paced the small room. I think you should sit out this interview, though.

No way! Morgan protested. Why?

She shot him some side-eye. Its not your call to make, Morgan. Its mine. And you havent stayed particularly calm through our other interviews.

Give me the ground rules. Ill stick to them. Hed try, at least.

Like you did at the construction site?

Hey! I didnt tackle him. I didnt accuse him of anything or call him a liar.

Danielle snorted. So you didnt. Okay, but you have got to keep it together or I cant have you in here. Understand?

One hundred percent.

The door opened and a uniformed officer brought in a handcuffed Fugate. Hes been processed. Hes yours for now. Let me know if you need anything else, Agent Hernandez.

Will do. Thanks, Tony.

The officer pulled a chair out for Fugate and helped him sit. Danielle came around the table and sat down next to Morgan. So, Mr. Fugate, can you tell me where you were on the nights of April 22nd, April 24th, and April 25th?