Halliday entered the small room and closed the door behind him after he carefully wrapped the knob with a handkerchief from his pocket. It didn't take a genius to see that a fight or some kind of struggle had taken place here. Chairs were knocked over and the mattress was half off the bed. He noticed a small dried puddle of blood on the floor near the kitchenette. Someone had been injured during the scuffle, Amanda or her visitor. Halliday examined the floor and walls, he found what he had been searching for in short order. He probed the bullet hole, located on the lower part of the kitchenette wall with his pen. Powder burns ringed the hole and marred the soft blue paint on the wall. Standing up and stretching his lower back, he plucked his phone out of his coat pocket and dialed dispatch. "Yeah, I need balistics and an evidence recovery unit out here right away. It's the Williford case." He passed on the address and directions and sat at the kitchen table with a sigh.

Elisha was preparing lunch for Brian and Rebecca while Nick rolled on the floor with the twins. Well, he was rolling and they were laughing at him. Elisha glanced at the paper as she stirred the macaroni on the stove. The article about the shooting took over the whole front page. A fuzzy photo of Nick and herself in the backyard dominated the article. At least they had not photographed the children and subjected them to the media assault. Dozens of newspaper people were waiting at the end of the drive. Nick had driven down and locked the gate last night, anticipating the onslaught of media attention once word of the shooting got out. He had told her earlier that his parents were on the way and that reassured her a small amount. Any help was appreciated at this point. The gate intercom buzzed and Nick swore under his breath. "I told you guys we're not answering any questions!" he said loudly. "It's Officer Halliday, Mr. Carter. If you open the gate I'll ensure no one else gets in." Elisha's breath caught and she gave Nick a terrified stare. He nodded and buzzed the gate open before he went over to her.

Even though they knew the knock was coming they both jumped when it sounded. Elisha sat on the floor with the twins and Nick went to answer the door. "Officer Halliday, how are you?" Nick opened the door wide and shook the offered hand. "I'm afraid I have some bad news to start with, or it may be good news to you and your wife." he said cryptically. "What do you mean?" asked Elisha, nervously. "Amanda Williford was pronounced dead a little over an hour ago." Halliday announced. "Oh my God!" Elisha cried. "How on earth could you insinuate that we would consider that good news?" Nick asked. "She has been bothering you for years, has she not? Now she's out of the picture for good, thanks to your wife." "How dare you!" Nick moved to sit beside Elisha and the twins. "My wife was protecting her family when she shot Mandy, she thought we were in danger." "Of course." Halliday said softly. "May I ask you a few more questions, Mrs. Carter?" Nick ushered Rebecca and Brian into his and Elisha's room turning on the TV on for them before he returned to Elisha's side. "Go ahead." Elisha said, shakily. "May I see your arms, please?" he asked. "My arms?" "We found blood and a bullet hole in Ms. Williford's motel room. Someone was injured and it wasn't Ms. Williford. Hold out your arms please. Elisha held her hands in front of her in a defeated motion. Officer Halliday pushed her sleeves up and exposed the rough bandage on her upper arm. "Care to explain this, Mrs. Carter?" Elisha turned wide eyes to her husband. He grabbed her hand and nodded slowly. "I'm not saying anything without our lawyer present." Elisha said quietly. Halliday nodded. "I'm sorry to have to do this. Mrs. Elisha Marie Carter, you are under arrest for the murder of Amanda Williford." Nick hugged her tightly. "It's okay honey, my parents will be here and I'll get the lawyer here before you know it. Everything will be fine." Halliday paused while they talked and continued. "Mr. Nickolas Gene Carter, you are also under arrest for being an accomplice to murder."