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Gretchen said, “Mr. Lauber, what kind of trouble do you think Henry got into that might bring us here?”
He shrugged. “Hell if I know. Bar fight, maybe? He’s got a temper on him, that’s for sure.”
Josie said, “You said you trapped with Henry’s father. Did Henry trap as well?”
“Sure, when he was younger. He was good at it but never took a liking to it. Got bored with it real fast. Never did get his license. Is that why you’re here? Was he trapping illegally?” His brow furrowed. “That’s really something for the game commission, not regular police.”
“That’s not why we’re here,” said Gretchen. She pointed to the television which now showed aerial views of the line searches that had been conducted earlier that morning. The chyron on the bottom of the screen read:Searches Underway for Abducted Denton Teen.The camera cut back to the anchor at the news station. Kayleigh’s school picture appeared over her shoulder. “That’s why we’re here.”
For a moment, Morris looked stunned. His whole face went slack as he stared at the screen. “Wait,” he said. “You think that Henry had something to do with that missing girl?”
“Doyouthink he had something to do with her?” asked Josie.
He shook his head, eyes still locked on Kayleigh’s face. “No. No. Not Henry.”
“He held a nineteen-year-old girl against her will at gunpoint,” Josie pointed out. “This girl, Kayleigh Patchett? She was in the woods, only a few miles from Henry’s cabin when she was taken.”
“That don’t mean nothing. Henry wouldn’t hurt a young girl. He wouldn’t do that.”
Gretchen said, “Mr. Lauber, our K-9 unit tracked Kayleigh Patchett’s scent to his cabin. Inside his cabin.”
“No.”
“Yes,” Josie said. “Tell us again the last time you saw Henry.”
He tore his gaze from the television to look up at them. “I told you, a week ago. Why are you asking me this?”
“Where were you yesterday?” asked Josie.
“What?”
“Where were you yesterday?” she repeated.
He looked everywhere but at them, as if seeking help that was not coming. “I was here. I was right here. I mean, most of the day. I went—I went—Oh shit…”
Josie perched herself on the edge of the coffee table, her knees touching his. “Where were you when you weren’t here?”
He slumped. “Checking on my traps.”
Josie said, “There’s not much the game commission allows you to trap this time of year. What were you after?”
He looked down at his hands, fiddling with the label on the beer bottle. “Coyote is legal all year round.”
Gretchen said, “Mr. Lauber, how many motor vehicles do you own?”
He seemed confused by the abrupt change in subject but answered anyway. “Just one. A Ford F-150. It’s out back.”
Josie knew that Gretchen had already looked this up before they arrived. He was being truthful.
“This is your residence,” Gretchen continued. “Do you own any other property anywhere? A cabin, maybe? Is there anywhere else you spend your time?”
“No, no. I’m here all the time. My girlfriend lives here with me. Don’t own no other places.”
“Great,” said Gretchen. “Do you mind if I take a quick look around your apartment?”
“Sure, I guess.”
Gretchen disappeared down the short hall while Josie continued the questions. “Where do you keep your trapping equipment?”
