Orders were shouted in the background but she ignored them. I did that. I killed them. It sank in and she couldn’t force her limbs to move. Kat didn’t flinch when the guard leaned down and grabbed her arms. He easily jerked her to her unsteady feet. She swayed a little but locked her knees. Her training demanded she snap out of it and get with the program but all she could do was watch the burning van. She could smell burning flesh under the thick stench of rubber and whatever else was on fire.

“You’re under arrest,” that deep voice growled next to her ear.

The feel of handcuffs being snapped on her wrists finally pulled her out of her shock. She turned her head and peered up at the guard. He was over a foot taller than she was and massive. He’d snapped the cuffs on her wrists in front instead of behind her back and now gripped the chain between them.

She swallowed, trying to find her voice. “I can explain.”

“You blew up that van.” He growled. “You stole a gun from one of my officers. Who are you?”

She turned her head. Black-clad officers had rushed forward with fire extinguishers, trying to put out the blaze. She wanted to order them back in case the gas tank hadn’t already blown but they were keeping a safe distance. The New Species at her side expected an answer. She remembered that and looked at him. “I’m Kat Decker. I’m the crime lab consultant.”

“Bullshit.”

She inwardly winced at his harsh tone. Her mind began to fully function again and she realized she’d f**ked up. She’d have laughed outright at someone if they’d just done what she had then claimed to be some lab jockey from forensics. She didn’t regret her actions though.

He spun her and a hand firmly clamped around her upper arm before he shoved her gently. “Move.”

It came as a shock when she saw the destruction done to the guard shack. Part of the roof had caved in, the entire side facing the van having taken heavy damage. “Is everyone okay?”

“I don’t know.” He definitely snarled. “We’re checking.”

Rusty rushed forward. Kat identified her by her shape and empty gun holster. “I’m so sorry, Darkness.”

“Save it,” he snapped. “Take her to a holding cell. I have to check our people. Strip her down to her underwear and make damn sure she’s not hiding anything.”

“Of course.” Rusty sounded stressed as her voice broke.

He pushed her toward Rusty. “Calm. Take a deep breath.”

Kat admitted she followed his advice too, though she knew it wasn’t meant for her.

“Do you think any of ours died?” Rusty sounded close to tears.

“I don’t think so. I need to check. Move. Take her now and watch her closely. No one is to go near her until I get there. I’ll interview her.”

Rusty gripped her handcuffs and tugged. Kat followed her around the damaged building, taking in every detail. Officers had rushed to the scene and she spotted movement through an intact window when they rounded the side. One man was lifting a section of roof off the floor.

Kat had no words as she was escorted to the back of the long building. Its much smaller appearance from the front had been deceiving. More officers rushed out in full gear. They didn’t take time to stop or question who she was as Rusty just pushed her against the wall to get out of their way.

“Come on,” Rusty whispered.

Kat didn’t argue. She needed to think up a good lie to explain what she’d just done. “I’m sorry about taking your gun.”

Rusty growled. “Silence. You heard Darkness. No talking until he comes. He’ll be the one to interrogate you.”

That didn’t sound good at all. She was led down a hallway at the very back corner of the building and the door was shoved open. Kat glanced around the room—maybe fifteen feet by twenty-five feet. There were no two-way mirrors. A chair was bolted to the floor near a drain. There was a hook at the top of the wall behind it on one side and a long table with two chairs on the other. The walls and ceiling had been painted to match the dull-gray concrete floor.

The first tinges of fear shot up Kat’s spine. It wasn’t like any interrogation room she’d ever visited in a police station. It reminded her more of one she’d recently seen in a movie. The guards had nearly beaten the prisoner to death. Blood had soaked the walls and floor of that room, the drain on the floor there for easy cleanup. She really hoped the NSO hadn’t seen a similar film and taken notes.

Rusty fished out a key and removed the cuffs. “Remove everything but your undergarments.”

Kat winced at the thought of a cavity search but she didn’t resist. The room was chilly as she stripped and placed her clothing in a folded stack on the table, her shoes next to it. She faced Rusty, wondering if it was policy to keep the face shield and helmet on.

“Hands in front again.”

Kat meekly offered her wrists, accepting the click of metal without a word.

“You don’t appear injured. Do you need a medic?”

She was far from okay but nothing hurt physically except a little throbbing in her back. It didn’t seem important, though, or serious. Her emotions were a mess but a medic couldn’t help with that. “I’m okay.”

“Have a seat.”

She sat. Rusty picked up her clothing and shoes. “Don’t get up. Stay put. Darkness will be here soon.”

“May I have some water, please?”

“I’ll forward your request to Darkness.”