To corroborate Blake’s words, Tompkins pulled out the tape and waved it in the air.
Edward reacted as if he’d been struck. He tensed, squeezing his eyes shut. When he opened them, there was an expression of stunned disbelief on his face. “Blake.” The word was an accusation of betrayal. “We’re talking about family. Me. Your grandmother. Your cousin. What the hell are you doing?”
“The hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.” Blake’s jaw continued working, but he didn’t flinch or avert his gaze. “I can’t condone what you’ve done, or protect any of you. What I can do is preserve the rest of the family. I owe it to them. So that’s what I’m doing.”
Grandfather and grandson stared each other down.
“Wait a minute,” Vista interrupted. Sweating, he pulled out a handkerchief and mopped his face. “If there was anything incriminating about me on that tape, I have a right to know.”
“Sounds fair.” Monty pursed his lips, seemingly weighing the options. “Then again, fair doesn’t matter. Not when we’re talking multiple homicide. It’s a pity you can’t talk to us without your attorney present. Unless, of course, Louise Chambers isn’t your attorney. Did she actually tell you she’d be representing you? Because it seems to me she has her hands full. Plus, she’s a corporate lawyer. But you probably know that.”
“Stop playing mind games, Montgomery,” Edward snapped. “Vista’s not talking to you.”
“I think the doctor should make that decision on his own.” Monty shot down Edward’s interference with a wave of his hand, never averting his gaze from Vista’s. “And Vista? I also think you should stop counting so heavily on the Piersons’ lawyer and call a good criminal defense attorney of your own. You’re going to need it. Especially after the Piersons hire the best criminal law firm in the country. It won’t take long before you’ll be set up as the ringleader and the Piersons as unwilling accomplices. But that’s your choice.”
Edward pointed an accusing finger at Monty. “He’s lying, Vista. Don’t believe a word he said.”
“If you say so.” Monty arched a dubious brow. “Okay, Doctor, you want the low-down? Here it is. Between what Mrs. Pierson admitted on tape, and the skin cells and corresponding files the police will find in your trailer, you’re going down on more counts than you want to know. Now add kidnapping, attempted murder, and murder charges. That’s what you’re looking at, if you stay on the current path.”
Vista had bolted to his feet, all the color draining from his face. “There’s no way you could know about…How did you get into my trailer?”
“Whatever you found there is inadmissible, Detective,” Anne announced, her gaze boring through Monty. “You didn’t have a search warrant. That’s breaking and entering. Don’t let him rattle you, Lawrence.”
Monty’s brows rose in feigned innocence. “Now, did I say I saw that stuff firsthand? As for the warrant, it’s already been signed. The trailer’s being searched as we speak.” He inclined his head at Vista. “Listen, Lawrence, don’t be a jerk. Pierson’s only interested in saving his family’s ass. Yours is expendable.”
Vista wet his lips with his tongue. “What if I’m willing to talk?” he blurted out. “In exchange for some kind of deal?”
“That’s up to the authorities,” Monty returned smoothly. “But it’s worth a try.”
“I agree,” Deputy Kearney said. “I’ll do what I can to make it happen.”
“Sounds good.” Monty waved his hand in a fait accompli gesture.
“Are you crazy, Vista?” Edward demanded.
Ignoring him, Vista leaned forward, still addressing Monty. “So what happens next?”
“You, Deputy Kearney, and I can stroll down to Mr. Pierson’s office and have a private talk. My daughter can join us,” Monty added, feeling Devon’s insistent stare. “We’ll see if we can’t help each other.”
“Why your daughter?”
“Because she’s a doctor. We’ll be discussing medical procedures. She can translate.”
“Fine. Let’s go.” Vista was already in motion, despite Edward’s sputtering protests.
Before following them, Devon turned to Blake. “I want to be there,” she told him softly. “Plus, Monty’s right. I will understand more of the medicalese than anyone else. Will you be okay?”
“Yes.” Blake nodded. “Go. I have a few things to say to my family anyway.”
Squeezing his hand, Devon headed off.
She followed the others into Edward’s office. There was a trace odor of chloroform in the air, and Devon wrinkled her nose and grimaced, grateful that Monty was cracking open a window. Snowstorm or not, the fresh air was welcome.
Vista sat down. The others remained standing, clustered around the desk. Kearney gestured for Monty to take the lead.
“Let’s cut to the chase. You’re experimenting on illegal aliens,” Monty announced to Vista. “You’re also experimenting on Edward’s horses. How do the two connect?”
Silently, Vista lowered his gaze, staring at the oak planks of the floor.