“Did he say anything else to you?” Ethan looked past the officer through the window in the door.
“No, just his name, and that was it. I cuffed him right away.”
“Alright, that’s all.” Ethan nodded to him, and he lingered a moment, before he strode away.
“He asked for you?” Noah spoke in a low voice.
Ethan nodded. “Well, his lawyer did. Apparently he’s ready to talk. You ready?”
“Have to be. We don’t have any real evidence, and we’re not ready for this, but he’s here now. We have to try to get the confession.” Noah focused on the door; Ethan opened it, and revealed the two men who sat side by side.
“Arnold Henderson. I’m Inspector Ascott. I understand you’d like to speak with me?” They stood before the men, who looked serene.
“My client has some information he believes you’ve been looking for.” The man dressed in the suit looked to Arnold who nodded, and ran his hand through his thinning hair.
Noah tried to get a good look at his hand, but without knowing which one Avery bit, it was difficult to tell.
“I saw on the news that you were looking for me on suspicion of multiple murders.” He looked up at them. “You mind sitting down?”
Ethan pulled his chair out, and Noah followed, sitting directly across from him. His breathing seemed steady, and Noah watched, as Arnold crossed his hands in front of him.
No bite marks.
“So you’re ready to confess?” Ethan asked. “I can get a copy written up to be signed.”
“Oh, no Inspector. I’m actually here to tell you I’m innocent. You boys seem to have gotten it wrong.” Arnold took a deep breath, sighed, and shook his head.
His lawyer looked at Ethan. “Do you have any evidence to suggest my client may have killed the women in question? Any witnesses? Or might this have been an innocent mistake on the department’s part?”
“I’ll ask the questions, mister?”
“Briggs.”
“Arnold Henderson, where were you on July twelfth?”
Arnold looked at his lawyer, and when he nodded, he spoke.
“I was on a hunting trip.”
“Where?”
“Just north of Cedar Ridge.”
“Was anyone with you? Can anyone prove your whereabouts?”
“Yes, I was hunting with a friend of mine.” Arnold nodded to Briggs, “Bob Pope.”
Briggs slid a piece of paper across the desk. “Let me save you the trouble, Inspector. This is a list of each of the dates in question, when each of the victims in question were murdered. Mr. Henderson was with someone on each of these occasions, and I’ve included their contact numbers and addresses.”
Ethan scanned the paper, and slid it in between them. Noah read it and recognized each of the names.
Grant and Jennifer Hornby.
Bob Pope.
“So I’m to believe that you were out hunting with Grant Hornby when Tamara Webber was killed, and Fiona Wolfe was attacked? Just days before he was killed himself?” Ethan shook his head.
Arnold opened his mouth, but Briggs spoke first.
“It doesn’t matter what you believe. Facts are facts. My client was with Grant Hornby on the first two nights in question, and with Bob Pope the day Grant Hornby was murdered. He was also with Jennifer Hornby on the nights Wendy O’Connor was murdered, and Avery Hart was attacked.”
“It’s unfortunate Grant Hornby can’t corroborate that.” Ethan pushed the paper away. “I happen to know Grant Hornby didn’t go hunting without a particular group, so excuse me if I can’t buy what you’re selling.”
“You’ll just have to do your job and bring Jennifer Hornby, and Bob Pope in, won’t you?” Briggs smiled, and when Noah looked to Arnold, his expression began to frustrate him. No smile on his wrinkled face, but a lack of emotion. “So there is no concrete evidence against my client?”
Noah sat up straight, “Mr. Henderson?”
Arnold looked over at him, and raised his brows.
“Does your wife have any idea about all this?”
He could feel Ethan and Briggs watching him.
“I haven’t been home from my trip to see her.”
Noah maintained eye contact with Arnold.
“Of course, we’ll need to see proof that your alibis check out, so you’ll have to remain with us for further questions.” Arnold looked to his lawyer, but Noah didn’t give them a chance to respond. “Do you have a good relationship with your wife, Mr. Henderson?”
“No.” His response was quick and short.
Noah looked to Ethan, and continued. “How would you describe your marriage?”
“Unfulfilling. I was having an affair with Jennifer Hornby. My wife doesn’t know, but if she found out, I reckon I’d be in a bit of trouble, hey boys?”
“You do realize you’ve just admitted motive for killing Grant Hornby.” Noah looked at Ethan, who was still fixated on Arnold.
Briggs shook his head, but Arnold went on.
“Grant was a buddy of mine, and trust me, he wasn’t getting in the way of his wife and I if you know what I mean.” Arnold smiled for the first time, and his big teeth filled his mouth.
Noah wanted to reach across the table and grab him.
He smiled down on those helpless girls from behind his mask while he…
That’s where he made himself stop, and forced the rest of the image from being formed.
“Is my client free to go?”
“He’ll remain here for the proper holding time. As Inspector Cotter has already told you, we’ll be checking out your alibis—those of whom are still alive.” Ethan pushed his chair back from the table. “We’ll be speaking to him again, so stay close Briggs.”
Noah stood, and resisted the urge to meet Arnold’s gaze as he followed Ethan out of the room.
When they were through the long corridor, back toward the girls, Ethan turned to him.
“I’m sorry Ethan. I know you had things under control.”
“No, that was good. You kind of surprised him.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, it was the first time his expression changed. You noticed that right?”
Noah nodded.
“It’s good to mix it up a bit. You didn’t say anything I wouldn’t have. Let that go.” When they got to the doorway where Owen stood, Ethan clasped Owen’s shoulder. “I need Jennifer Hornby, Bob Pope, Maggie Henderson, and Charla Kent here yesterday.” He gave Owen the contact sheet. “Bring them in yourself if you have to.”
Owen nodded and headed back down the hall.
“I’m going to see Ken and January. See if they’ve got anything else for me. Bring em’ up to speed. You stay here with the girls, alright? Just keep them calm.”
Ethan was back down the hallway before he finished speaking.
Before Noah went in, he saw both of the girls watching him.
He knew calm wasn’t an option.
Chapter 45
“We have a suspect in custody, and we were just questioning him.” Noah said, with all eyes on him. “He came in less than an hour ago.”
“Did he confess?” Fiona asked.
Noah sat down across from them. “No. He’s claiming that he is innocent, and that he can prove it. That remains to be seen.”
“It’s Charla’s uncle, isn’t it?” Avery asked.
A wave of realization swept over him; Charla had told Avery what she knew. He hadn’t planned to go into any more detail, but Avery caught him off guard.
“Who’s Charla?” Fiona grimaced and Noah shifted in his seat.
“She’s one of the girls who pulled the prank on me ten years ago.” Avery looked to Noah, and he nodded. “She’s the one who had the mask they used. The one that I recognized in your police sketch. After I was attacked, Charla came and told me her uncle was under suspicion.” She turned back to Noah. “He’s their number one suspect.”
“Why didn’t anyone tell me?” Fiona scrunched her freckled no
se.
“They wouldn’t have told me either…” Avery started, but Noah held up his hand.
“Hold on a minute. You’re both on a need to know basis. This is information that, in the wrong hands, could compromise the case.”
Fiona rolled her eyes. “So what now?”
“We’re holding him for questioning. He may still confess.”
“Good.” Fiona crossed her arms in front of her.
“How is it good?” Avery asked. “He’s denying he did anything. You guys don’t have any proof do you?”
“We will use all the information in our power to hold him longer. To prove he’s the guy. We are bringing in his wife,” He looked at Avery “Charla’s aunt. We also have two more people to question who he claims he was with at the times of the murders. Until we figure out a plan, we need you to hang tight.”
“That’s it?” Fiona asked.
Noah ran a hand through his hair. “That’s about as honest as it gets.”
Fiona smiled for a split second. “While I appreciate your honesty Inspector Cotter, I don’t feel comfortable with him here.”
“I completely understand that.” Noah nodded. “He can’t get to you, rest assured. You’re both safe.”
“Thank you.” She gave him a tight lipped smile and he returned it, although it made him uneasy.
“How are you both feeling?” He asked, just as Owen came in.
“Ladies,” he nodded to them, “Noah? A word?”
Noah went to the door and leaned in as he whispered.
“Jennifer Hornby’s on her way. So are Maggie and Charla. No answer for Bob Pope, so we sent someone to his house.”
“Thanks Owen. You mind staying here?”
He shook his head, and they switched places.
“Tell Ethan will ya?”
Noah nodded, and before he closed the door, he stuck his head back in the room.
“Oh, by the way,” he whispered and nodded to the girls, “they’ll try to get more out of you. Don’t let them.”
“Have you met Fiona?” Owen whispered and chuckled.
Noah knew Owen would keep any details of the case quiet, but he wondered if he should trade places with Fiona to interrogate Arnold, with the way she had grilled him.
The thought made him smile.
Chapter 46
Noah found Ethan with Ken and January in Room C.
“They’re all on their way in except Pope.”
Ethan nodded. “Bob Pope is divorced, so he lives alone. There isn’t going to be anyone who can corroborate that Bob was with Arnold during the time period he states here. If he lies, we know he’s at the very least covering for Arnold, with a possibility of him being an accomplice. Is Owen working on it?”
“He’s got someone going to the house to escort him in.”
“Jennifer Hornby is probably scared of Arnold. If she really thinks he might have killed her husband out of jealousy, she might not talk.”
Ken shook his head, and looked up at Ethan. “She might not even know about the murders.”
“We’ve got to convince her she is safe with us so she’ll talk. If she’s on Arnold’s alibi list, she’s there for a reason. What about Maggie?”
“She’ll be coming in with Charla.” January addressed the room. “You could take a chance and tell Maggie about the affair. Tell her we need her to assure Jennifer Hornby that she is doing the right thing by telling the truth, regardless of why she might cover for him. To put him behind bars so he can’t hurt anyone…”
Ken shook his head. “Why is that taking a chance?”
January looked to Ethan and Noah, but they stared back with blank faces.
“I guess it’s easier to understand if you’re a woman. If we tell Maggie about the affair, she might not want to talk to Jen Hornby. Even though she has been beaten and abused by Arnold, she stayed with him for all this time. She could be regretting coming forward, and this could go either way. Either it’s her chance to set things right, or it’s her chance to go back to the only life she’s known.”
“You think she’ll go back to living with him? Pretend everything’s normal?” Ken huffed.
“She’ll do whatever she has to to survive.” January placed a hand on her hip and looked to Ethan.
“Maybe we can use this to our advantage then.” Noah rubbed the scruff that had begun to form on his chin. “Maybe we tell her we already told Arnold the truth. That she gave him up.”
“Did you?” Ken asked.
“No,” Ethan pointed to Noah, “but that’s still a card we can play. We can offer the deal to Maggie first. Tell her we’ve told Arnold that she gave him up—that he’s furious, and that she has to help us put him behind bars. If she refuses to talk to Jennifer Hornby…”
“Then you tell Arnold that his wife and mistress have given him up?” Ken asked.
January rubbed her lips together and shook her head. “That’s not good.”
“Huh?” Ken stretched, “What?”
“You can’t put her in danger like that.”
“I think it’s a good idea.” Ken puffed out his chest, “Might be your only chance.”
January rolled her eyes. “Of course you do.”
“We’ll protect her.” Ethan leaned over the table. “She won’t be in any real danger.”
“It’s wrong.” January crossed her arms. “You’ll do what you want, but it’s bad enough telling her her husband knows she gave him up. You can tell her it’s not true, but tell him she knows more than he thought? No way.”
Ethan started to pace the room. “I know what you’re saying, but we’ve got a shot at catching him here. I don’t want to lose it. If we go ahead with this plan, and tell Arnold the women gave him up, we’ll also need something to prove Jennifer Hornby would have known. Phone records proving that Arnold called her before and after her husband was murdered. Search her place. Maybe we can find a threatening letter. We know they wrote them to each other, or at least that she wrote him one. Maybe he wrote back. We need her cell phone records.”
“Listen, I’m all for the search, but giving up Jennifer Hornby and Aunt Maggie? And then he goes free?” Ken raised his brows at Ethan. “What happens then?”
“Thank you.” January huffed.
Ken made a face. “It’s not our call. It’s Ethan’s.”
“I’ll send Owen to the Hornby’s,” Ethan looked to Noah, “and see what he can dig up. Ken, get me those phone records.” He headed for the door, and Noah followed him. “January, come with us.”
They rushed down the hall in a pack, toward the room the girls were in.
“What can I do?” January asked.
“We need you to talk to those women. First Maggie when she arrives. Try to get her to talk to Hornby. If she will, we’ll let you facilitate that meeting. Really convince Maggie he already knows she gave him up. That way there’s no turning back. If not, we move to plan B.” Ethan stopped in front of the interrogation rooms and looked at Noah. “We tell Arnold Maggie gave us proof that he’s our killer. We bluff.”
Noah looked to January, and although she was disappointed, he saw a fire in her eyes when Ethan spoke about the plan.
“We won’t have to use plan B. I’ll get Jennifer Hornby to confess to what she knows.”
Noah glanced over at where Avery and Fiona sat with Owen. “Should we have a plan C? So maybe we won’t have to use plan B? I don’t think we should tell Arnold the women gave him up. Telling Maggie that he knows is one thing, but actually telling Arnold she gave him up?”
January’s face lightened and they both looked at Ethan.
Ethan nodded to the room. “January, tell Owen to get to Jennifer Hornby’s home. I want him on the search for something we can use if we have to bluff. I don’t want it to come down to that either, but we have to nail this guy. You get that right?”
They both stared at Noah, and when he nodded, January walked away.
“We’ve gotta make tough decisions here Noah. Glad you’r
e on board.”
Chapter 47
Avery wished there was a window to look out. Another source of light besides the horrible fluorescent bulbs that gave her a headache.
“You know, if this guy is their prime suspect, and he gets loose, we’re screwed.” Fiona looked through the window into the hall.
Owen had only left minutes ago, but Avery wondered what was still keeping Fiona in the room.
“So Charla’s the girl that attacked you way back?”
Avery nodded. “Ten years ago.”
“She used the same mask that her uncle is probably using? That’s messed up. Why you?”
“Charla told me she told her aunt what she did to me. Her aunt told her uncle I guess.”
“And the sick bastard, what? Got off on it? Was inspired by it?” She pushed her chair out from the table, and crossed her arms. “That’s crazy.”
Avery hadn’t thought about being a serial killer’s inspiration before, nor had she thought much about what her attack had to do with the murders, but as Fiona’s words permeated the air, she pressed her palms against her stomach.
Ten cuts for ten years away? Ten years it took to start killing?
Her mind flooded with questions and her stomach ached.
“Can we not talk about this right now?”
Fiona turned to her. “They brought us here to protect us, but they are keeping us here in case we can help too. I don’t want to just sit here and wait. You didn’t see his face at all? When he attacked you?”
Avery shook her head and tears filled her eyes. She didn’t understand how Fiona could be so crass about her attack when she had been attacked too. It was the only reason she had shared her story—she could understand what happened to Avery more than anyone else.
“His voice? Maybe you’d remember his voice?”
“No.” Avery turned away, back to the imaginary window, and rubbed her head. “He didn’t talk.”
“If you saw him, face to face, do you think…”
Avery turned to face her as tears ran down her cheeks. “Did you see his face before he shot you? Did you hear his voice as he chased you down? Did you hear him whistle before you saw anything at all?”
Lies Come True Page 14