“Well, that’s great news,” May said, still confused by the speed with which this had played out. She waited for Kerry to tell more, but when she didn’t speak, May was unable to stop herself from asking, “So what’s the lead you’ve uncovered, then?”
“I’m not sure I can share it.” Now Kerry sounded cagey.
“And why can’t you share it?”
“It does involve confidential information,” she said thoughtfully.
“What do you mean?” May said, seething. She’d obviously been assigned the role of chauffeur, while Kerry and Adams got down to dealing with the case. “We’re on the same side! What information do you have that you think is so confidential it can’t be shared?”
And how, exactly, had Kerry gotten hold of this strong lead within hours?
“It involves something I’m not sure I’m at liberty to discuss,” Kerry added.
“We are not at liberty,” Adams reminded her from the back seat, rubbing it in that he knew what it was, too.
“What?” May asked, even more frustrated now. “Can you just tell me?”
“She just told you,” Adams said from the back seat. “It involves confidential information. We’re not allowed to discuss details.”
Kerry smirked. “You see, it does involve sealed juvenile records,” she said.
“Oh,” May said. She knew that the FBI could access some of those, which again was not possible for a local deputy. Again, the circumstances they were operating in were very different.
“So, you have a suspect. And you’re going to track him down?” she tried, looking for another angle that might work. “You don’t think that as the local deputy who’s managing this case, I need to know every step?”
“May, it’s our case, and we’re going to cooperate on it, of course. You are here to provide any local knowledge that I haven’t already been able to obtain. But please understand, I have to lead the investigation.”
May felt herself seething again at the note of quiet arrogance in Kerry’s voice.
“Is that it, then?” she said in a near-accusatory tone.
But then she took a deep, calming breath, knowing she needed to stay focused. Kerry was right. The FBI was the one with all the resources, and they were the ones who’d be expected to solve the case quickly. She was just the sidekick. She sighed.
“Absolutely. You’re in charge,” she agreed, not wanting to fight over this seemingly petty, yet somehow important, fact.
As if Kerry was also willing to give a little now that May had reinforced she was in charge, she smiled.
“I guess I can tell you, seeing we’ll be driving there together. Because we do need to go straight there.”
“Where do I head?”
May had just reached the highway. She glanced at Kerry, who was consulting her phone’s maps.
“Take the turnoff for Chestnut Hill and then turn right.”
“Is this the suspected killer? Or someone with information?”
Kerry checked her watch. It was only just after seven a.m.
“He should be still home,” she said in satisfied tones, without answering May’s question.
“Who?” May asked, now feeling consumed by curiosity.
“He’s a potential killer, for sure,” she admitted.
“Why? What’s his motive?”
“He has a connection with both victims, and a strong motive for wanting Emily dead.”