AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What do you expect me to do?” the suspect protested. “I’ve done nothing wrong, and you sic your dog on me?”
“If you’ve done nothing wrong,” Faith said, “then you have my sincerest apologies.”
She helped the man sit on one of the chairs then took the one opposite him. Michael remained standing while Turk sat by the door and watched the suspect quietly.
“All right,” Faith said. “Do you consent to recording this conversation?”
The suspect nodded. “All right.”
“Thank you,” Faith said.
She set her cell phone on the table and started recording. “Please state your name for the record.”
“Adiel Schoenmaker.”
“Mr. Schoenmaker, where are you from?”
“Johannesburg, South Africa.”
“And how long have you been in the United States?”
“Three days. I am here for a business convention.”
Three days. That was marginal. Chester McIlhenny was killed early in the morning, technically closer to four days ago than three days ago.
“Exactly what time did you arrive?” Michael said.
“I landed at 11:29 a.m.,” he said. “LaGuardia Airport. Flight … uh … I believe it was United Airlines Flight 2595.”
Michael pulled his phone from his pocket and looked up the flight. While he did, Faith asked, “What do you do for work, Mr. Schoenmaker?”
“I am a chemist,” he said. “I work for Internasionale Chemiese Oplossings. I’m here for a convention.”
“What sort of chemicals do you make?”
“Medical supplies,” he said.
“Like phenol?”
“Yes, like phenol and many other chemicals.” His brow furrowed. “We’re known primarily for phenol and associated compounds though. How did you know this? Are you familiar with our organization?”
“Mr. McIlhenny and Mr. Richardson were killed with an injection of pure phenol,” Faith said. “You’re not aware of this?”
Schoenmaker’s eyes widened. “Pure phenol? That would be nearly instantaneous!”
“It was,” Faith said. “Can you account for your whereabouts during your stay in the United States?”
“I was at the convention,” he said. “It was held at the Grand River Hotel Resort on Staten Island. I was there all day, and at night, I was at the hotel. I went sightseeing today, and I head home tomorrow.” His eyes widened. “Will I be held here? Will I miss my flight?”
Michael sighed before Faith could answer. “Do you have any form of ID on you, Mr. Schoenmaker?”
“Yes, my passport. It’s in my rear pocket.”
Michael helped him stand and retrieved the passport. He glanced at it, then nodded, and put the document back in Schoenmaker’s pocket. “All right, Mr. Schoenmaker. I’ve confirmed you were on a flight at the time of Mr. McIlhenny’s death, so you are cleared as a suspect. I apologize for the confusion.”
Faith sighed and pursed her lips but quickly regained control of her professionalism. “I apologize for my mistake, Mr. Schoenmaker. Would you like us to obtain medical care for you?”
“No, please, I just want to go back to my hotel.”
