Laurel shivered in the chilly interrogation room at the rear of the Fish and Wildlife offices as Tommy, Teri, and Steve Bearing finally arrived and sat across from her. She hoped Huck returned soon from his checkup. He’d argued about going, but he did have a concussion, and the doctor wouldn’t clear him for duty without the physical. “Thank you for coming in.”

Teri Bearing’s eyes flared a piercing green. “The two armed officers at our door didn’t give us any choice. They threatened my son with a felony charge.”

Good. Then they’d done their job and even now waited patiently outside in case she needed to arrest Tommy.

Steve Bearing seemed much calmer than his mother, and his gaze was calculating. “We both know you don’t have the power to charge anybody, Agent Snow. Even so, we’re tired of this nonsense.” He leaned over and drew out a case file folder from his leather briefcase. “Here is Tommy’s full juvenile record. Have fun with it.”

Laurel took the folder, masking her surprise. She scanned the contents, seeing the charging documents, the affidavits, and the plea bargain. It was much as Tommy had claimed. He’d gone ballistic on the girl’s father, but he’d been scared and apparently drunk. “Tommy, did you know that your aunt had an affair with Davie Tate?”

Teri gasped, Steve jerked, and Tommy grimaced.

“Tommy?” Teri asked, what could only be considered shock in her pale expression.

“Yeah. I knew he and Aunt Sharon . . . you know.” He looked at his brother. “She told him it wasn’t illegal because something about age and consent and being sixteen in Washington State. Davie is seventeen.”

Steve looked a little green. “That’s true.”

“Did that make you angry?” Laurel asked.

Tommy made a loud gagging noise. “I didn’t know about it when it was happening, and when he told me afterward, I pretty much wanted to puke. It’s all so gross.”

“Did you know she took photographs of them engaging in sexual relations?” Laurel asked.

“Oh God.” Teri fumbled in her handbag for a tissue to press against her mouth. “I can’t believe this. He’s a kid. What the hell was she thinking?”

Laurel sat back. It was telling the woman was outraged on Davie’s behalf and not worried about scandal. Maybe she wasn’t so mercurial.

Steve shook his head. “Aunt Sharon was always a free spirit, but this is way crossing the line.” He kept his body at a protective angle toward his brother. “Tommy didn’t kill her. I don’t know how screwed up Davie might’ve been after that.”

“Did you know that Davie was seeing a psychiatrist?” Laurel asked.