Dark Web by T. J. Brearton Page A

on. “It couldn’t tell us which house was his. Technology, right? I don’t know, maybe we had the address not exactly right. He’d only just moved, so . . . but then we saw the guy in the road and it really scared us. If you say we were beyond Braxton’s house at that point, I guess we were. But we had no idea.”
    “His parents were going to let you come visit in the middle of the night? Even if the snow hadn’t slowed you down, or you hadn’t gotten off track, you still would have arrived very late at night.”
    Darring lowered his head. “No, sir. His parents didn’t know. It was stupid. The whole thing was . . . I don’t know . . . We just thought it would be cool to take a road trip.”
    Swift took a breath and leaned back slightly. After a moment he said, “You know, when I asked Hideo Miko these questions, he had different things to say.”
    Darring looked up. For just a second Swift thought he saw something almost feral in the young man’s eyes, something menacing. “He did? I don’t know what. I mean, he was asleep for most of the drive. What we saw in the road really scared him. He’s . . . he’s different, sir. He has some problems, you know? I think he may have wet his pants, but don’t tell him I told you that.”
    “Your secret is safe. But that’s not what I mean. Hideo was afraid to tell me at first, but then he opened up. And his story does not match yours. So, let’s cut through the guff and just talk straight. Alright? Here’s what I’ve got.” He leaned forward and counted off on his fingers: “I’ve got you at the scene of the crime. It’s the middle of the night. I’ve got a witness see you speed away.”
    “Right. Which goes with what I’m telling you, sir.”
    “Uh-huh. Well, we have this kid’s body on a slab right now, and within moments, we’re going to have cause of death. And it’s all going to add up to what you and your friends were really doing there tonight. It’s just a matter of time.”
    Swift leaned back. For a moment he fixed the kid with a look that was fatherly, compassionate.
    Then he leaned forward.
    “Look Mr. Darring. I just need something to take to the DA. This is going to be an open and shut case. I don’t even need anything from you; I’ve already got it. If we take this case to the DA right now, you’re going to do time. Not easy time like your two minor friends, and not cozy county jail either. Prison time, Mr. Darring. I’m here to give you an opportunity to explain what happened. That’s all. There's always two sides to a story, and if the DA hears your side, you'll get credit for it, and it can really help you out. You’re going to need friends, okay?”
    Darring’s face remained inscrutable. He seemed neither alarmed nor angered by any of this. Instead, he too leaned forward.
    “Sir. If this was really such an air-tight case? You wouldn’t need to interrogate me. You would just go ahead and take it to the District Attorney for potential charges.” Darring’s dark eyes were lit with red pinpoints reflecting the record light on the video camera. His voice was even and light. “After I give you my ‘explanation,’ and it corroborates whatever evidence the state does possess? Then you go about trying to prove that I, the defendant, grossly understated my actual involvement.”
    Darring sat upright, his expression still blank.
    Dammit , thought Swift. Okay, so the kid was too clever for the usual routine. That was fine; Swift had other cards to play.
    As if on cue, his cell phone buzzed in his pocket. Swift pulled it out and looked at the incoming number. What perfect timing.
    “It’s my forensic pathologist.” He stood up and walked briskly to the door, glancing back at Darring. “Let’s see what she has to say.”
    He left the room.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN
    Doctor Janine Poehler watched the woman in the adjoining room with a heavy heart. It was just before eight o’clock in the morning, and Janine’s understanding was that the