“So if we run on the theory that Connor Maddox didn’t commit this crime...who would have done it? Because they would need access to the yard, Maddox’s clothes, and knowledge that he was out that night.” Anthony mimics Jonesy’s position, and I fight the urge to smirk. These two are actually kind of similar. I squash the thought before it grows legs and starts running.
“Okay...Connor left to go back to his girlfriend’s place at midnight,” I say, eager to get a grip on the timeline.
“And the murder took place at twelve forty-five, which was forty-five minutes after he left,” Anthony adds.
Jonesy frowns, picking up a still shot from the CCTV of the man confronting the victim. “So the theory is he was waiting around in the car park for the victim to leave?”
“But the person in the footage was wearing Connor’s clothes,” I add.
“Someone who was on that night out could have drugged Connor. We’re still waiting onthose results to come back, and then, whilst he was unconscious, switched clothes with him, and then switched them back? It seems far-fetched.” The detective flips through a couple of pages until he lands on the photos of Maddox’s clothing that night. Sprayed with blood, it seems almost impossible that it wasn’t him.
“It does, but really, they’d only need to change the shirt and put his baseball cap on. The footage was shit,” Jonesy says.
“And before you ask.” I look pointedly at the detective. “The motive would be that Connor was supposed to be getting a promotion. It was due to be announced on the Monday after the murder took place.”
“Right...so maybe one of his friends was jealous. Maybe they didn’t like that he had received a promotion over them?”
I think back to the conversations we had with each of the men we interviewed. Not a single one of them displayed any kind of malice. They were hurt, devastated, but mostly concerned for Connor. They couldn’t believe he had committed this crime, and they wanted to prove that to me and to anyone who would listen.
“There were two older guys at the bar that night.” I flick through my notes. “Travis Marrs and Hunter Abrahams. Do we know their ranks? Maybe they felt overlooked for a promotion. Given that they are older. Maybe they didn’t like a younger guy coming in and getting promotedabove them.”
“It’s possible...I’ll check their ranks in relation to Connor’s,” Jonesy says, pulling out his phone.
“Marrs was on a training exercise when we tried to interview him for our reports. Abrahams was delayed because of the fire at the base. Anthony, did you manage to speak with them at all?”
“Yes, Marrs is an odd guy, early forties. Hasn’t done particularly well in the military. Registered address is his family home in Uki. He used to live on the base, but he was requested to find alternative accommodation after an altercation with his roommate.”
“Do we know what the altercation was?”
“The report was confidential, so the military wouldn’t release it. We didn’t push it because we weren't looking in that direction.”
“Will you be able to get it?” I ask Jonesy.
“I won’t have access to any personnel files unless they’re assigned therapy sessions with me. But I can ask around.”
“Maybe . . . what about the other guy?”
“Abrahams, thirty-six years old. Seemed to latch on to Marrs early on, and it’s affected his career ever since. A whiny guy, he seems to think the world has it in for him. Had strong opinions on women in the military, women in general to be honest. He seemed like a loudmouth, not typical for someone who kills someone like that. Notwith that level of precision. The guy in the video didn’t even flinch when he got covered in blood. A loudmouth is just that, all mouth.” I trust Anthony’s opinion. He doesn’t have the training that Jonesy and I have, but he’s got a lot of practical experience working with people. Especially people who have committed awful crimes.
“Okay, so if we look at Travis Marrs, we need to know where he’s living, where he is right now, and who he spends time with. Then we can look at interviewing him as soon as he’s back from his training exercise.”
“So our new theory is that Marrs, knowing that Connor spends all his time at his girlfriend’s house, snuck into his backyard and buried the bodies of victims there on more than one occasion?”
There’s a brief pause before we all laugh.
“Okay, when you say it like that, it sounds ridiculous,” I say, taking another pull of my beer.
“It does. And it probably isn’t Marrs or Abrahams, but there’s something missing here. Maybe we’re just missing the motive for Connor. Maybe that’s the problem.” Jonesy ponders.
“Maybe. You have another interview with him, right?” Anthony asks.
“Tomorrow. If that works? I also want to look at the visitor log to see who’s seen him. Did you get it, Anthony?” I ask.
“No, I haven’t had a chance.”
“Okay, do we need a warrant for that?” Jonesyfrowns.
The detective laughs. “Not if you ask nicely. I think both of you can probably play to your strengths depending on who is on the desk.”
