Free Take the Key and Lock Her Up by Lena Diaz Page B

your job and acting in your son’s best interests. My sincere condolences, again, on
     the loss of your former wife.”
    He took her hand in his and squeezed it gently, like she’d imagine a true gentleman
     might have done in a time when good manners were practiced far more frequently than
     they were today.
    “No apology necessary, Detective.”
    His expression told her nothing about what he was, or wasn’t, feeling. If it weren’t
     for the slight pallor beneath the man’s tan, Emily wouldn’t have suspected he’d just
     suffered a tragic blow. But from the concerned look on Devlin’s face as he watched
     his father, she sensed Alex might be near the breaking point.
    “Now that Devlin’s free to go,” he said, “the next order of business will be to ensure
     that Carolyn’s . . . body . . . is positively identified and released for burial.
     I understand you’re certain it’s her, that it’s just a formality to perform tests.
     But I suppose dental records will be required. It’s too late to get them today, so
     I’ll visit her dentist first thing tomorrow.”
    “I’d appreciate that,” she said. “But since it’s unlikely they’ll still have her records,
     perhaps we could cross match a DNA sample from one of her sons.”
    “Of course, yes. I’ll call—”
    “I’ll take care of it,” Devlin said. “Go home. You helped me today. Now it’s my turn
     to help you. I’ll give you an update later tonight.”
    “Are you sure? I can arrange—”
    “Everyone else is up at the house waiting for you. Let me take care of the details.”
    His father nodded, looking relieved. “Thanks, son.” He patted Devlin on the shoulder
     as if he were a child instead of a grown man. “Detective O’Malley, I’ll call you tomorrow
     about those dental records.”
    “Sure, thanks. Talk to you then.”
    The elevator doors closed behind Alex.
    “I may not remember all of your brother’s names or who’s related to whom,” Emily said.
     “But you made it very clear she wasn’t your mother. That leaves who for the DNA sample?
     Your younger twin brothers, Matt and Austin? They’re Carolyn’s biological children,
     right?”
    He typed a text message on his phone. “Yes, and Pierce too. He’s one of my older brothers,
     the FBI agent.” He finished his message and slid his phone into his pants pocket.
     “Austin is already on his way into town because he was worried about Alex. He’ll be
     here soon and can give the sample. I’m guessing you keep the DNA kits in the morgue.
     I can go with you to get one.”
    His sudden helpfulness had her studying him with suspicion.
    “Yeah, I don’t think so,” she said. “The DA may have told us to let you go, but that
     doesn’t mean you aren’t still a person of interest in the investigation. Giving you
     access to the coroner so you can ask for details about the victims is so not going to happen.”
    He crossed his arms. “What’s your angle here? Do you really think I had something
     to do with the abductions and murders?”
    “Did you?”
    “As I said before, I’ll be happy to supply alibis if you tell me how many victims
     there were and when each of them was killed.”
    “I’m not sharing the number of victims. As for when they were killed, I don’t know that information yet.”
    “Then let’s talk to the coroner and find out.”
    She crossed her arms, mimicking his stance. “Nice try.”
    He blew out a long breath. “Mrs. Hawley saw both of the perpetrators. One of them
     is dead. And she didn’t ID me at the scene as being the other perp. That’s a pretty
     good indication that I’m not involved, don’t you think? What’s the harm in letting
     a family member ask the coroner a couple of questions about his stepmother?”
    “Aha. Then you admit that you want to speak to the coroner.”
    “Of course.”
    That was too easy. She narrowed her eyes, wondering what his game was. “‘Perpetrator.
     ID me at the scene.’ I still say