“Can I come in?” I asked hesitantly. “Or is this a bad time?”
“Of course,” he said with a nod, opening the door wider and motioning for me to enter. He led me to his study, a small room lined with bookshelves. He sat down in a comfortable chair and gestured for me to do the same.
The Chief regarded me with an even gaze, and I could feel his eyes probing me for some sign of my intentions. I cleared my throat and began to speak.
“Sir, I was wondering if I could have a few minutes of your time. I need to talk to you about something important. About the case.”
“Which case?” he said.
I stared at him, surprised at his reaction. “Look, I know I’m suspended but now that Joe… well, you know, I was thinking I could get back on it.”
He cleared his throat and shook his head. “No can do, I’m afraid.”
“Why not?”
“It’s a delicate matter, Wilde, but the thing is, he is your husband. As long as the investigation is undergoing, I can’t give you your badge back.”
“But why not?”
“As I said, he’s your husband.”
“So, you think I made him hit Travis with the car? Is that what you’re saying?” I asked, baffled.
“As I said, there’s an investigation into your part in this incident as well, yes.”
I leaned back. I hadn’t thought about that. “Oh.”
The Chief nodded in understanding.
“I will, of course, help you however I can.”
“Yes, of course, and I appreciate that. I really do,” I said.
“Just understand that my hands are tied,” he said.
“Naturally. That makes good sense,” I said.
He smiled. “All right then.”
I could tell he was eager to get me to leave, but I wasn’t going to give in. I got up and walked closer to him. His eyes were watching me when I stopped in front of him.
“I really think I’m on to something, though. Don’t you want to hear what it is?”
He took in a deep annoyed breath then threw out his arms. “You just won’t quit, will you?”
“No. Not till you hear me out.”
He rolled his eyes. “Okay, then. What is so important you absolutely have to come here to my house and tell me?”
I paused, then took a step closer again. “I think Marissa Clemens is Kitty Durham.”
“Remind me again, who is Kitty Durham?” he said.
“She was the girl who went missing when I worked at Ridge Manor PD, when I was in training to become a detective, fourteen years ago. Under Travis Walker.”
“Ah, that’s right,” he said, snapping his fingers. “I remember that one. She disappeared on her way to the school bus and was never found, right?”
“Right. I was on the case, but… well, I had to leave—”
“Because of that story with your partner, yes. I have recently been reminded of that.”
Story. It wasn’t a story. His words made me feel embarrassed, like I had caused him trouble for making something up. He had never made a comment like that before. It made me uncomfortable. Yet I continued unabated.
“I know it might be farfetched, but hear me out,” I said.
“I have a feeling I don’t have a choice in the matter,” he said and squirmed in the leather chair.
I sat across from him and started to explain. “Here’s my theory. What if the kidnapper, the one who took Kitty Durham, what if he was from our town or nearby area? What if he lives here in Cocoa Beach?”
“And what makes you come to that conclusion?” he asked, scrutinizing me like I had gone mad.
“I think she escaped her kidnappers somehow. But she didn’t run very far.”
SEVENTY-TWO
Then
Kitty knew she had to act quickly. Her desperation gave her an energy she hadn’t felt for months, and she scrambled out of the shed, running as best she could despite her swollen belly, her feet slipping on the wet grass as she tore across the yard. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she ran up the steps of the main house, her eyes searching for her three children.
