Page 65 of Dark Shadows
“Sorry, Agent Spencer.” The kid's face flushed. “Sheriff's waiting for you.”
The sheriff stood outside interview room two, his expression grim. In the fluorescent lighting, he looked older, worn down by recent events. “He's been asking for you since dawn. Won't talk to anyone else.”
“Any idea what this is about?”
“Says he has information about other bodies.” The sheriff's voice dropped. “Beyond the dead guy from Savanah's childhood. Between you and me, Daniels isn't the same man we arrested. Something's eating at him.”
Mason nodded. “Let's find out what.”
The interview room was cold. Metal table bolted to the floor, chairs that had seen better decades, a mirror that probably needed replacing. Daniels sat handcuffed to the table, orange jumpsuit hanging loose on his frame. Gone was the cocky cop who'd hidden evidence for years. This man looked haunted, eyes sunken into dark circles, fingers tapping an endless rhythm against the metal table.
“Agent Spencer.” Daniels managed a weak smile that didn't reach his eyes. “Thought you'd be here sooner.”
“I'm here now, so talk.” Mason sat across from him, noting the slight tremor in Daniels' hands. Fear? Withdrawal?
“No recorder.” Daniels glanced at the ceiling camera, then the mirror. “Off the record first.”
Mason nodded to the sheriff, who stepped out. The room felt smaller without the buffer of another person. “Just us. What's this about?”
“You found my DNA on that plastic.” Daniels leaned forward, chains rattling. “But did you check the rest of it?”
“Rest of what?”
“The body in the barn. The new one.” Daniels' eyes darted to the door like a caged animal looking for escape. “Someone killed that pedophile and dug up those bones intentionally. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
Mason sat back in his chair and folded his arms. “Sense how?”
“I killed that man because he deserved it. He was hurting kids.” Daniels' voice dropped to barely above a whisper. “But Beverly? This new pedophile…that's different. That's about her. It's all about her.”
“Savanah.”
Daniels nodded, a jerky motion like a puppet on broken strings. “Someone's obsessed. Trying to make the town believe her now, like they should have back then.” He laughed, the sound hollow and broken. “Ironic, isn't it? I covered up a murder she saw, and now someone's killing to bring her home and prove that she wasn’t crazy in the first place.”
“We already know this. Why are you telling me this now?”
“Because whoever it is, they're not done.” Daniels met his gaze. Something like genuine fear flickered in his eyes. “And they're watching her. Have been for years. Following. Waiting. Planning.”
Mason's phone buzzed. A text from Savanah:
Tina got called away. Coming to station.
No,he typed back quickly.Stay there. Almost done.
“That was her, wasn’t it?” Daniels asked.
“What makes you say that?”
“That look on your face. You’re protective, aren't you?” Daniels smiled sadly. “Won't help. They're too close already. Been too close all along.”
“Do you know who it is?”
“I want a deal,” Daniels said, straightening in his chair.
“I don’t make deals, but if you know who the killer is and it helps us catch the killer, I’ll put in a good word for you with the DA’s office.”
Daniels pressed his lips together as if contemplating his response.
“Fine, but I expect you to follow through.”
