Page 64 of Bring Them Home

“I’m not saying he’s not, just if he took them, where are they? Being held at his mother’s or…?”

She shook her head. “No, I’m not going there. We’ll find them alive.” We have to…

After waiting on another officer to watch the home, they loaded into the department car for Central. As Trent backed out of the driveway, she was staring at Johnson’s black Ford Transit cargo van. Top priority was getting a search warrant for it and Johnson’s house. If he had done any planning to abduct the Archers, proof of that might exist within these walls. But one step at a time.

THIRTY-ONE

Amanda, Trent, and Malone looked at Bill Johnson through the one-way mirror. Johnson was sitting at the table in the neighboring interrogation room and rubbing his forehead.

“He doesn’t look that bright, if you ask me,” Malone said.

Well, he did run into the hood of my car… She was grateful for one stupid decision he’d made. That of not requesting a lawyer. Things would move along faster. She turned to her partner. “Come on, Trent, let’s see if we get anywhere with this guy.” She led the way next door and into the room.

Bill sat up straighter. “Why are you doing this to me? You show up at my house, chase me through the neighborhood, hit me with your car.”

Cue the tiny violin… Amanda stuffed aside the sarcastic voice in her head. But if this man was who they were after, she had no sympathy. She’d put him away for life. She sat across from him, Trent next to her.

Amanda leaned casually back in her chair. “Why did you run?”

“You need to ask? The police came to my house looking for me.”

“To talk,” she pushed back.

“Yeah, right.”

“Why do you think we’d want more than that?” She clasped her hands over the file folder she’d brought in. She and Trent had taken just enough time to gather some photographs and documentation before coming in here.

“Uh, let me see. You chased me through my neighborhood.”

“Only after you ran.”

“Tell me what this is about. I don’t have to stay here. I haven’t done anything wrong.”

Amanda narrowed her eyes, trying to read the man. “Are you sure about that?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.” His trembling voice belied the confidence of his words.

“Do you know a woman named Valerie Archer?” she asked.

Bill shook his head, squinted.

“Think hard before you lie to us,” Trent cautioned.

Bill’s eyes dashed to Trent. “Yes, I know her.”

“And who is she to you?” Amanda asked.

Bill shrugged. “She’s the branch manager at my bank. That’s all. It’s not like I have a personal relationship with her.”

“That didn’t stop you from leaving several threatening voicemails for her.” She pulled a transcript of these from the folder and set it on the table.

“I didn’t mean anything by them. No real harm.” Bill’s mouth opened, closed. His gaze traveled to the printout, back up to meet Amanda’s eyes. “Did something happen to her?”

“I think you know the answer to that question, but if you want to play it that way…” She pulled a photograph of Paul’s remains and put it on the table.

Bill swallowed roughly and sniffled. “Who is… that?”

“Valerie’s husband. That’s what became of his body after you left it in that farmer’s field.”