Page 43 of Bring Them Home

Amanda held up her badge. “Detective Steele, and this is my partner, Detective Stenson. The blue Kia in your lot belonged to Paul Archer. We understand he was a member here.”

“That’s right. I told the female officer that. What’s going on anyhow? Is the guy okay?”

“Unfortunately, he’s not. He was murdered.” As she laid this out, she watched for any expression that might disclose either of them already knew this. Even though they didn’t think Paul was the primary target in the abduction, they had to keep a broad perspective.

The woman’s mouth dropped open, and she faced Cody. “He was murdered?”

“That’s what she just said.” To Amanda and Trent, Cody added, “It’s tragic, but I’m not sure how we can help you.”

“You don’t seem too broken up about his death,” Trent said.

“It’s not that. I just didn’t know the guy that well. From the times we spoke, we had little in common. He was a father, wasn’t he?”

“He was. Two teenagers,” Trent told them.

“How sad,” Kimberly chirped in.

“What about you, Kimberly? Did you know Paul well?” Amanda asked her.

Kimberly shook her head.

Amanda studied her eyes, curious if she bought her claim. Valerie had her dalliance on the side. It was plausible Paul had strayed from the marriage too. And this young woman was within Paul’s league. Despite his age, he had been handsome and fit. But if she knew him on an intimate level, it would stand to reason she’d know what he drove. His car hanging around would have flagged for her. She’d be far more emotional to learn of his death. “Do you know if any members or staff socialized with him?”

Cody shook his head. “Can’t say for sure.”

“Well, we’ll need to speak with the people here about Paul.” Amanda glanced into the workout space, taking everyone in. Most of them weren’t paying her and Trent much attention. Though she caught some looking before they turned away.

Cody crossed his arms. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with you harassing our members.”

“I get that, but I’m sure the gym wouldn’t want to be seen as not caring about the welfare of its members either,” she leveled back.

Cody looked at Kimberly and sighed. “Buzz them through. But if I get complaints, that’s on you.” With the latter bit, he met Amanda’s gaze.

She shrugged. “That’s fine by us.”

There was a buzz, and the barricade swung open. They were in.

About thirty minutes later, Amanda and Trent were walking back out, after speaking with everyone in the gym. Not one member or employee offered anything helpful to the investigation.

Traci pushed off her cruiser and came walking toward them the second they stepped outside. “Knocking on doors paid off. The house directly across the street has a doorbell camera, and it captured Paul’s abduction.” She pulled her phone from her pants pocket.

Amanda couldn’t believe their luck. “Go ahead, and play it.”

She and Trent stood to each side of Traci and watched in horror as the black Ford Transit swept into the lot and parked beside Paul’s Kia.

Chills spread down her arms. “They’re waiting on him. Can you go back a bit? Any chance we make out the plate?”

Traci reversed the footage and shook her head. “All a blur.”

“They still have the tinted covers over the plates,” Trent put in.

Amanda nodded for Traci to resume playing the video.

Paul put his bag in the trunk and was walking around to the driver’s side when the back door of the van slid open.

“Is that…? Can you zoom in any closer?” The kidnappers must not have given any thought to a doorbell camera from across the street capturing the abduction.

Traci made some adjustments, but it still wasn’t that clear.