Page 83 of Bring Them Home

The lawyer drew the picture over to him and looked up at Amanda. “How can you even identify that woman? Please, Detective. Your preconceived ideas about my client are affecting your judgment.”

“Which one are you referring to?” Even though he was acting in the capacity of being Nina’s representation, everyone in this room knew who he really worked for. Whose interests were his priority.

The lawyer’s lips set in a tight thin line. “If there will be nothing else.”

Amanda didn’t say a word as she set out photographs of Paul Archer’s dead body. Instead of turning away, they had captured Nina’s attention. Amanda would swear she felt pride oozing from the woman. “That’s Paul Archer. He was stabbed seven times before his body was dumped in a farmer’s field and left for wildlife to feed upon.” Nina met Amanda’s gaze, her eyes bright. If it was in question before, now it was impossible to dismiss. She was basking in pride. “Nothing then? Not familiar to you?”

“Nope.”

“And this one?” Amanda set out a photo of Abigail McGee’s body. Now it hit that Lloyd deserved to know about all of it. Not just her murder, but the reason for her disappearance. She doubted Russell Holden had taken it upon himself to deliver the news.

“Is it that woman?” Nina said as she leaned over the picture. “Abigail… what was it?”

“McGee.” It wouldn’t surprise Amanda if Nina was the one to cut her tongue out. “She was found on your boss’s property.”

“Detective.” The lawyer angled his head downward.

“That is a fact, Mr. Duran, whether or not you have a problem with that,” she shot back at the attorney. She gave it a few seconds before addressing Nina again. “So you can appreciate why we’re looking into him and you. We know that you’re a loyal employee who wants to please her boss.” Amanda was trying to position it as if Nina may not have had a choice, giving her a defense. Though it was unlikely she’d bite with Wilson in the room. He’d report it back to Hernandez, and Nina’s murder would be the next one they investigated.

Nina didn’t say a word.

Amanda continued with a quick glance at the lawyer. “We understand your employer is a powerful man with a long reach, but we can protect you.”

“Like you did for Abigail?” Nina’s expression transitioned from seriousness to amusement in a blink.

Amanda stiffened. What happened to Abigail wasn’t her fault, but the implied accusation that it was stung regardless. She took out photographs of Valerie and Brooke. “You ever see them?”

“No.”

Amanda studied Nina’s face. While she might have thought she’d schooled her eyes and expression to give nothing away, they were screaming. She knew who they were because she took them. Maybe even killed them.

FORTY-TWO

Amanda continued questioning Nina, pushing her for the identity of the man who worked with her in the abductions. But without her admitting she was there and no concrete evidence to prove she was, Amanda had no leverage. She even tried to unearth some humanity, which turned out to be a fool’s errand. Not that this surprised her. Amanda suspected Nina was psychopathic, and her loyalty to Hernandez would keep her quiet. Fear wasn’t the reason she followed his orders. Obeying him gave her an outlet for her depravity. Killing gave her pleasure.

“I’ll call Tranquility and check her alibi,” Trent said.

“Is there a point? Even if the spa tells us she was there, can we believe them? If they know who she is, they’re not going to cross her.”

“True enough.”

They were back at their cubicles, and Amanda was reeling over all the wasted time. She felt much like a hamster must on its wheel. Lots of movement without getting anywhere. They weren’t any closer to finding the Archers, and she didn’t have Zoe to go home to tonight either. Her mother was taking her to their place for a sleepover. She slapped the folder she’d taken into the room on her desk with flourish.

“You’re not going to like the news I’ve come with.” Russell stood in the mouth of her cubicle looking like his dog had been run over.

“Don’t tell me the warrant was—” No, she couldn’t even finish that thought.

“The judge turned it down.”

“What in the hell? Where did you go?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Oh, it does. Was it the same judge who dismissed Abigail’s testimony?” A corrupt bastard who sits on the bench and supplements his income with dirty money?

“It’s nothing like that,” Russell said.

Trent stood next to the marshal. “What reason did they give for denying the request?”