CHAPTER SIX
A pretty good act, Riley thought.
Larry Mullins’s voice was shaking a little. As he finished up his prepared statement to the parole board and the families of his victims, he sounded like he was on the verge of tears.
“I’ve had fifteen years to look back,” Mullins said. “Not a day goes by when I’m not filled with regret. I can’t go back and change what happened. I can’t bring Nathan Betts and Ian Harter back to life. But I still have years to make a meaningful contribution to society. Please give me a chance to do that.”
Mullins sat down. His lawyer handed him a handkerchief, and he wiped his eyes—although Riley didn’t see any actual tears.
The hearing officer and case manager conferred with each other in whispers. So did the members of the parole board.
Riley knew it wou
