CHAPTER TWELVE #2
Maria ended her call. "Reid says he can be here in twenty minutes. He's cooperative, says he wants to help however he can."
Kari thought about the anonymous tip. Whoever sent it had wanted them to focus on Reid, had specifically said he "knows more than he's saying." That could mean he was involved in the murders, or it could mean he had information he hadn't shared yet.
"We've got maybe fifteen minutes before the press conference," she said. "Should we wait for Reid or try to catch it?"
"Let's watch it. Know what narrative the chief is putting out there." Maria led her to a conference room where a television was already tuned to a local news station. Other detectives were gathering, everyone wanting to see how the department would handle the public announcement.
At exactly nine AM, Phoenix PD's chief of police stepped up to a podium bristling with microphones. He was in his late fifties, silver-haired and projecting authority, flanked by other department brass and the mayor.
"Good morning. I'm here to provide an update on the recent homicides in Paradise Valley.
As many of you know, three prominent residents have been killed in the past week—Richard Garrison, Margaret Hoffman, and Victor Sheridan.
All three were connected to the Sunset Ridge Resort development project. "
The chief paused, letting the cameras capture the gravity of the moment.
"I can now confirm that we have charged Thomas Hatathli, age forty-five, with three counts of first-degree murder in connection with these deaths.
Mr. Hatathli is a Navajo environmental lawyer who publicly threatened the victims during protests over the resort's construction and destruction of Native American petroglyphs.
Physical evidence places him at the crime scenes. "
Kari felt her jaw tighten. The chief was presenting it as a solved case, completely ignoring the fact that the third murder had occurred while Hatathli was in custody.
"However," the chief continued, "evidence suggests Mr. Hatathli may have been working with accomplices.
We believe there may be a network of environmental extremists who planned and carried out these murders together.
We are asking the public for any information about Mr. Hatathli's associates, particularly anyone involved in the protests against the Sunset Ridge Resort or other development projects. "
A reporter shouted a question: "Chief, can you confirm that one of the murders occurred while Mr. Hatathli was in police custody?"
The chief's expression didn't change. "The investigation is ongoing.
We believe multiple perpetrators were involved, which is why we're asking for public assistance in identifying Mr. Hatathli's accomplices.
The people of Paradise Valley can rest assured that we have the ringleader in custody and are actively pursuing the remaining suspects. "
More questions, but the chief was already stepping away from the podium, leaving a spokesperson to handle the details. The message had been delivered: Hatathli was guilty, there was a conspiracy, and the department was in control.
No need to let the facts get in the way of the truth.
"Unbelievable," Maria muttered. "He just told the entire city that Hatathli is guilty and there's some kind of terrorist network operating in Phoenix."
"Which means even if we prove Hatathli's innocent, the narrative is already set.
" Kari watched the news coverage switch to aerial shots of Paradise Valley, the reporter breathlessly describing the "reign of terror" that had gripped the wealthy community.
"The real killer can just disappear while everyone's looking for phantom accomplices. "
A uniformed officer appeared in the conference room doorway. "Detective Santos? Jasper Reid is here. He's waiting in interview room three."
Maria checked her watch. "Nine-ten. Let's see what Mr. Reid has to say about all this."
They made their way to the interview room, both of them mentally preparing for the conversation ahead.
Jasper Reid stood when they entered, extending his hand.
He was tall and lean, probably six-two, with close-cropped dark hair showing gray at the temples and the kind of posture that spoke to years of discipline.
His handshake was firm, his eye contact direct without being challenging.
"Detective Santos, I came as soon as you called." Reid's voice was measured. "I understand you're investigating the murders connected to the Sunset Ridge Resort."
"This is Detective Blackhorse," Maria said, gesturing to Kari. "She's consulting on the case. Please, have a seat."
They all sat.
"Mr. Reid, we appreciate you coming in," Maria began. "We're following up on some information about the resort's security operations and your interactions with protesters during construction."
"Of course. I'm happy to help however I can.
" Reid folded his hands on the table. "Though I'm not sure what I can tell you that I didn't already include in my initial statement.
I was managing site security, my interactions with protesters were all documented, and I was nowhere near the victims when they were killed. "
"Walk us through your job responsibilities," Maria said. "What exactly does head of security for a development project entail?"
"Site protection primarily. Making sure the construction equipment wasn't vandalized, that workers could get in and out safely, that protesters didn't interfere with operations.
" Reid's tone remained cool, unemotional.
"The Sunset Ridge project was controversial from the start because of the petroglyphs.
We knew there would be protests, demonstrations, possibly attempts to halt construction through civil disobedience. "
"And how did you handle that?"
"By the book. I coordinated with Phoenix PD, obtained proper permits for security personnel, set up monitoring systems around the perimeter.
When protesters showed up, we documented their activities, made sure they stayed in designated areas, called police when necessary.
" Reid met Maria's eyes. "I spent ten years in war zones.
I know the difference between legitimate protest and actual threats.
The people demonstrating against the resort were exercising their rights.
I disagreed with their position, but I respected their right to express it. "
Kari stirred, wanting to press into this, to try to draw out some emotion. But she reminded herself that this was Maria's case, Maria's interrogation.
"Including Thomas Hatathli?" Maria asked.
"Including him. Hatathli was one of the most vocal opponents, organized a lot of the protests, gave speeches about cultural destruction and corporate greed.
But until he made those statements that sounded like threats—'blood on your hands,' 'you'll answer for this'—he was just another protester exercising his rights. "
"When did you first hear those statements?"
"At a city council meeting about six weeks ago.
Hatathli was speaking during public comment, got heated, made statements that crossed the line from protest to implied violence.
" Reid pulled out his phone and brought up a document.
"I documented it in my security reports, flagged it as a potential concern.
That's standard procedure when someone makes threatening statements about project stakeholders. "
Kari studied him carefully. Everything about Reid's demeanor was controlled, exactly what you'd expect from someone with his background.
But there was something in his eyes—a wariness, maybe, or a calculation.
He was being cooperative, but he was also being very careful about what he said and how he said it.
That made sense, given the delicateness of the situation.
But it could also be the behavior of someone with something to hide.
"You maintained files on the protesters?" Maria asked.
"On those who appeared regularly or made statements of concern, yes.
Names, photos, vehicle information when possible.
Basic security protocols." Reid seemed to sense where this was going.
"And before you ask, yes, I had a file on Hatathli.
But that's because he was the primary organizer, not because I had any specific information suggesting he'd actually commit violence. "
"Did you ever interact directly with Hatathli?"
"A few times. He came to the construction site a couple times to take photos of the petroglyph destruction. I escorted him off the property both times—politely, no physical contact, just explained that he was trespassing and needed to leave."
"How did he respond?"
"He was angry, understandably so. Those petroglyphs were significant, and watching them get destroyed for a luxury resort was painful for him. I understood that."
Maria glanced at Kari, a silent invitation for her to step in. She cleared her throat.
"Mr. Reid, your background is impressive," she said. "Army special operations, private military contractor, experience in psychological operations and surveillance. Those are specialized skills."
"They are." Reid's voice remained level. "Skills I used to protect American interests overseas and now use to protect construction sites in Phoenix. Is there a question in there?"
"Just noting that someone with your expertise would be capable of very sophisticated operations. Including, hypothetically, committing crimes while making it appear someone else was responsible."
Reid's jaw tightened. "Detective, I believe in directness, so let me be direct. I didn't kill those people. I had no reason to kill them—they were project stakeholders, not threats to me personally. And I didn't frame Thomas Hatathli, though I'll admit the evidence against him is compelling."
"Where were you during the murders?" Maria asked.
"Managing security at the petroglyph site. I've been there almost constantly over the past week."
"Even though construction has stopped?" Kari asked.
He nodded. "There are still valuable materials and equipment on-site, and the protesters haven't gone away.
I've been maintaining a visible security presence to prevent vandalism.
" Reid pulled up his phone again, showing them a calendar with detailed entries.
"I can provide you with exact times, eyewitnesses, even security camera footage showing me on-site during the relevant periods. "
"We'll need that," Maria said. "All of it."
"Of course. I'll have my assistant send over everything within the hour." Reid checked his watch. "Is there anything else? I should get back to the site—like I said, we've still got protesters there daily, and without active security presence things could get out of hand."
Kari had one more question. "Do you know why someone would want to kill Garrison, Hoffman, and Sheridan specifically? Beyond their connection to the resort?"
Reid considered this carefully. "If I were investigating, I'd look at what they knew rather than just what they did.
All three were involved in the project approval and construction.
If there were... irregularities... in how that happened, they might have information that someone wanted to keep quiet. "
"What kind of irregularities?"
"I'm just speculating. But major development projects involve lots of permits, approvals, environmental assessments.
Sometimes corners get cut. Sometimes people look the other way.
If those three knew about practices that weren't entirely legal, that's a motive beyond just revenge for the petroglyphs.
" Reid stood. "But that's your investigation, not mine.
I just provide security and try to keep everyone safe. "
They walked Reid out, Kari's mind racing through what he'd said and what he'd left unsaid. He'd been cooperative, even helpful with his suggestion about investigating irregularities in the project approval process.
But she couldn't shake the feeling that he'd been performing, giving them exactly what he thought they wanted to hear.