“Regional director of PsyLED, FireWind,” he said, introducing himself. “Special Agent Ingram, PsyLED. And Patrick Hooper, attorney at law in the state of Tennessee. We’d like to speak with Catriona Doyle.”
The big boss was speaking to the woman at the front desk. Sergeant Wherry was a grizzled veteran of the Cookeville PD. She had the appearance of someone who had seen it all, done most of it, and lived to tell the tale. Unimpressed by FireWind’s fancy title, she took our IDs, verified that we were who we said we were, signed in and locked our weapons away, and directed us to an interrogation room, where we waited for half an hour before Catriona was escorted in. She was cuffed, wearing ankle chains and jailhouse gray and an expression that said she hadn’t slept. Hadn’t been allowed to sleep.
FireWind instructed the guard to remove the chains. The guard looked FireWind in the eye long enough to prove that he had heard the request, turned, and left the room. FireWind didn’t speak, but his color was heated. He bent over Catriona and unlocked the handcuffs and the ankle chains, tossing them in the corner. He pocketed his universal key, gave Catriona a bottle of water, and took his seat. She drank as if she hadn’t had water since she was taken into custody. I passed her my water bottle too. She opened and drank half of that one.
“My thanks,” she said in little more than a whisper. “Can you tell me? Who has ma daughter?”
“She is safe in a good social services home and will be returned to your sister as soon as possible,” FireWind said softly. “PsyLED has lodged complaints with FBI and put in a good word for Etain to get the child.”
Catriona burst into tears. “It’s grateful I am, for that,” she said, wiping her cheeks with the back of her wrist. “And for the water.” She looked between us when she spoke. “Who are you?”
Far more gently than I thought him capable of, FireWind said, “We work for PsyLED, investigating paranormal crimes.” Catriona’s face crumpled. FireWind identified the three of us, though I don’t think she heard any of it.
Patrick Hooper said, “Ms. Doyle, I’m a defense attorney. Your sister Etain Doyle retained me.” He placed a business card on the table in front of her.
Catriona stared at it as if it was alive. “I didn’t kill Stella.”
“I know,” Patrick said.
“The FBI man said since I wasna citizen I didn’t have rights to a lawyer.”
“Smythe?” Hooper asked.
Catriona nodded, the motion jerky, her hands tight on the bottle. The plastic crinkled.
“He lied. I’m working to get you released,” Hooper said, “and knowing he deprived you of your rights is helpful.”
Catriona fumbled the bottle and nearly dropped it. A fresh tear trickled down her cheek.
My boss slid a small plastic container of tissues across the table. He glanced at me and I slid her the package of pretzels he had tossed me when we left my car.
Patrick said, “With Director FireWind’s assistance, I have contacted the Irish embassy and someone will be flying out to assist you. I’ve also notified our State Department that a foreign national has been held for a crime when there is no evidence against her and clear violations of her civil rights. I’d like to say that you will not be in here for long; however, even with your embassy’s help, it’s Saturday, and I think you will have to spend the weekend in jail. I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t kill her,” she sobbed, the sound muffled in her tissue.
“We know,” Hooper said. “PsyLED employs witches, and Special Agent Kent has determined that the magical energies that killed Stella Mae and the others were put in place approximately four days ago before the band came home.”
I looked up at that. No one had told me and I hadn’t read that report.
“You were on the road with the band at the time,” he continued, “and, per the coven out of Nashville, you are not a death witch. The agents are going to record this conversation,” he said, “and you will answer fully each question that I approve. Anytime I say so, you stop. After the agents are done with their questions, you and I will have some time alone to discuss the next steps and to make sure that I have a full and complete list of all the ways in which your civil rights were abused. Understood?”