Chapter 57

“Please sit down, Mr. Pace.”

“What is this about?”

“We have a few questions for you.”

The FBI agents stared at Mark as he took a seat opposite them.

“About what?”

“Human remains were found at a construction site downtown. Dental records show they belong to Damon Fields.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Damon was a good friend. Any ideas on who killed him?”

“Forensic evidence found foreign DNA at the gravesite. Any chance that strand of hair belongs to you?”

“Of course. I saw Damon almost every day at the club. He was always punching me or patting me on the back when I walked by.”

“The investigators also found a large amount of tissue where the fingernails used to be. Foreign tissue. It would seem Damon was fighting for his life and could have made a deep gouge in his killer’s body.”

“Damon was a strong man. I’m sure he fought for life to his last breath.”

“Any scars on your body, Mr. Pace?”

“Now wait a minute. I need a lawyer if you’re going to ask questions like that!”

“You can have your phone call and a lawyer after we take you into custody. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say…”

Mark struggled uselessly as they pulled him away. The time had finally come to pay the piper.

***

For all his contacts in the neighborhood, no one gave Leon a heads up. He found out by watching the television broadcast like everyone else. Watching in horror, he saw the FBI agents announce his cousin’s arrest in a triumphant news conference.

“After over a year of patient investigation, we now have direct evidence implicating Damon Field’s murderer. Mark Pace was taken into custody earlier today without incident.”

“Is Leon Pace also implicated?” asked Tasha Fields, the BLM representative.

“No charges are filed against him at this time.”

“Do you really believe that Mark Pace acted alone?”

“The investigation is ongoing.”