May felt shocked. "What? Why not?" she asked, confused.
"Interrogation of a suspect is the FBI’s responsibility," Kerry insisted. "You must hold off, and wait until we get there."
"But - but we just brought them in! We could at least make a start. Time is such an important factor right now. Every second counts," May protested, feeling indignation rising inside her at this dismissive treatment.
Kerry's tone was adamant. "This is a high profile case. It's a national emergency. FBI must be on scene for the questioning of such a strong suspect. It can't be left to the local police.”
“What?” May bristled all over at that statement but Kerry steamrollered on.
“So, unfortunately, there’s no room for negotiation here." She sounded satisfied to be giving the ultimatum. "Step away. Leave them be. Get some coffee, and make sure the room is correctly prepared. We'll be there in - in twenty minutes, if we drive fast. Come on, Adams."
Coffee? She was more than a coffee maker! May was seething, ready to shout out an angry retaliation to that insulting order. But abruptly, Kerry disconnected, leaving no room for further argument.
She’d gotten in the last word. May hated it when that happened. And she hated even more that Kerry was using her authority – or rather, misusing it - to take over what should have been May’s responsibility.
May was so mad she felt as if smoke was coming out of her ears as she stomped back to the interview room to tell Owen he had to leave.
This was unfair all the way, but she couldn’t complain.
If the killer was caught, the case would be solved and Kerry would get the credit, even though May and Owen had made the connection, and put themselves at risk making the arrest. And worse still, if this suspect wasn’t the killer, then Kerry had wasted valuable time, which the real killer might be spending planning his next scenario.
It was unfair and wrong, but there was nothing she could do.
All she could do now was prepare herself for the ultimate humiliation of having Kerry ace the interview, and crush the suspect’s protests, and pinpoint him beyond doubt as the killer.
May wasn’t looking forward to the next hour. Not at all.