by Alex Barclay
‘Did you argue about the second bottle?’ said Ren. Been there.
‘I’m mortified,’ said Erica. ‘I rarely drink. And the one night that I do … No, Mark didn’t mind,’ said Erica. ‘He just reminded me about the championships tomorrow. He was just trying to spare me from a hangover.’
‘OK,’ said Ren.
‘I feel like we’re sounding like a different couple to who we are,’ said Erica. ‘That we’ve been caught at our worst or something. Fighting in a restaurant, drinking too much in my case …’
‘You were out for dinner. No-one’s judging you,’ said Ren. ‘How long do you think your husband was gone from the table?’
Erica paused. ‘Twenty minutes? Hold on, I’ve got a text here. I texted my sister when he got back to the restaurant.’ She picked up her cell phone. ‘That was at twelve fifteen.’
Ren glanced down at her notes. ‘The receipt for your second bottle of champagne says eleven thirty-five,’ said Ren. ‘Your husband was gone forty minutes, Mrs Whaley.’
Erica frowned. ‘Why did I drink all that champagne, I’m so fuzzy – my timing always gets a little skewed …’
Yet your sober husband said twenty minutes too.
‘May I look at your phone, please?’ said Ren.
Erica handed it over. Ren scrolled back through Erica’s texts. The previous one to her sister read:
Asked him, finally. Denied it. Hmm.
Erica blushed.
‘The text to your sister,’ said Ren. ‘What had you asked your husband?’
‘I didn’t really think he was, but I … I just asked him if he was having an affair.’
‘What made you think that?’ said Ren.
‘I jumped to conclusions,’ said Erica. ‘Because of the whole working late thing – it’s a cliché, I know … but …’ She shrugged. ‘To be honest, it’s probably just me being paranoid.’
‘And from your text, you say he denied it.’
‘Yes,’ said Erica.
‘But, you write “Hmm” …’
‘I was tipsy,’ said Erica. She shrugged. ‘If you’re asking me right now? I do believe him. Of course I do. I get a little dramatic. He’s right. He’s got a lot of work on. Making him sound like he’s sneaking around behind my back sounds terrible right now.’
You bet.
‘What was your husband’s demeanor when he returned from checking on the kids?’ said Ren.
Erica frowned. ‘Fine – why?’
‘Was there anything in his behavior that caused you concern?’ said Ren.
‘No – not at all.’
‘What did he say?’ said Ren.
‘He said that the kids were sleeping, and that the sitter was watching television. Are you putting out an Amber Alert?’
‘We’re not in a position to do that,’ said Ren, ‘we don’t have enough information to release. We don’t know what happened to Laurie. We don’t have a description of an abductor, we don’t have a vehicle description—’
‘But you have a photo of Laurie!’ said Erica. ‘Taken tonight! And I’m sure you have a photo of the sitter. She could be the … perpetrator here …’
‘We have already released their photos,’ said Ren. ‘Their images will be displayed around Breckenridge, they’ll be on local news, in the newspapers first thing.’
‘But … Amber Alerts, they’re on the highway signs, right?’
‘Yes, but without a vehicle description, drivers won’t know what to look out for,’ said Ren.
‘What about at a rest stop? Someone might see them. Didn’t a guy in California rescue a little girl when he saw her in a pickup? That was an Amber Alert.’
‘There were witnesses to that kidnapping,’ said Ren. ‘The police had a description of the vehicle, and there was surveillance footage of the vehicle shown on television, along with the girl’s photo.’
‘Don’t you have surveillance footage here?’ said Erica.
‘Most of the cameras were not operational at the hotel,’ said Ren.
‘I don’t believe it,’ said Erica. ‘So, you’re telling me you have nothing.’
‘For an Amber Alert, we have to know that an abduction has occurred—’
‘What do you think this is, Adventures in Babysitting?’ said Erica. ‘That they’re out on the town somewhere having fun?’
‘No,’ said Ren. ‘But we are limited by the amount of information we have to release.’
‘I can’t believe this, I can’t believe any of this—’
‘I know this is difficult,’ said Ren. ‘Just a few more questions.’
Erica nodded.
‘Have there been any changes in Laurie’s behavior over the last little while?’ said Ren.
‘No,’ said Erica.
‘Have a think about that,’ said Ren.
‘I’m telling you straight off, because I know. We have Laurie Saturday during the day, every second weekend. I don’t know what happens the rest of the time, but she’s been the same as she always is. Oh … tonight, she had a pain in her stomach, that was all, but she was fine shortly afterward. We got out of the SUV, and she kind of got a sharp pain, she was bent double with it, but by the time we were checking in, she said it was gone. And she didn’t look ill: no fever, rosy cheeks, and she was running around after Leo.’
‘So, this weekend … you were picking her up from the Merritts’ house?’
‘Yes – on Saturday afternoon, it was about four o’clock. We told Laurie about Breck when we got there – it was a surprise. Obviously, we had run it by Cathy and Dale. So we headed for Breck, but then Laurie asked us could we go back so she could pick up her new ski jacket. We hadn’t the heart to say no. Leo had spilled his drink all over himself, so it suited us to have the chance to get him cleaned up.’
‘What time was that at?’ said Ren.
‘It was five by the time we left again,’ said Erica.
‘Who was there when you went to the house?’ said Ren.
‘The second time? Just Joshua – that’s Dale Merritt’s son.’
‘Did you spend long there?’ said Ren.
‘Not long,’ said Erica. ‘I don’t know. Laurie ran up to her room to grab her jacket. I went in after her to find somewhere to change Leo’s clothes and then we left.’
‘Did Mark go inside with you?’ said Ren.
‘Yes, he came to help with Leo.’
‘How does Laurie get along with her stepbrother?’ said Ren.
‘He’s a teenage boy, she’s an eleven-year-old girl … you can imagine.’
Ren nodded. ‘With three big brothers, I sure can. Could you elaborate a little?’
‘Laurie bugs Joshua, he bugs her, but they get along just fine. You’ll hear about them bickering one minute, then Laurie’ll say that they were having fun playing Shaun White Snowboarding on Xbox or whatever. So it’s up and down. Nothing unusual, as far as I can make out.’
‘What kind of kid is Joshua?’ said Ren.
‘I don’t know him very well,’ said Erica, ‘but … he seems like a nice kid. His mom died when he was five years old. He had his father to himself for quite a few years, and then Cathy and Laurie came along. It took him a while to adjust. He’s sixteen years old, it’s not an easy age …’
‘And how would you describe your husband’s relationship with Dale Merritt?’ said Ren.
‘Good, actually. There’s no tension there. He’s a very nice man, and he’s very good to Laurie.’
‘We’ll be going through Laurie’s cell phone records,’ said Ren. ‘Does she use it a lot?’
‘Not really, she’s still a little young, I think …’
‘Is she ever secretive about who she’s calling or texting?’ said Ren.
‘She isn’t allowed to be,’ said Erica. ‘Cathy and Dale got her the phone and they explained to her very clearly that the only reason she has it is so that her parents can be in contact with her at all times, and that we all know she’s safe. I know that Cathy told her about the rapist that’s out ther
e, so Laurie was aware that she had to stay safe, and that we would be worried if we didn’t hear from her.’
‘Mrs Whaley – what happened back there with Cathy Merritt?’ said Ren.
‘I know that didn’t look good,’ said Erica, ‘and you’re probably thinking all kinds of things about Mark … but it’s just not how it seemed. I think that was a rant from somewhere in Cathy’s past. I met Mark when he was in recovery. I guess I see him how Cathy did when she first met him. He’s a wonderful guy. So I understand, to a point, how she could be so bitter that he left. I think she’s still hurt. She sees it that he cleaned up his act for me, even though he was doing it for himself. Mark’s been through a lot. Yes, he was an alcoholic, but he’s in recovery – he’s been sober for six years. And even still, Cathy didn’t want him having access to Laurie.’
Ren nodded.
‘Mark is a good person,’ said Erica. ‘I’ve never seen anything other than that. He told me all about his past, he’s always been honest about it. He was a different person back then.’
‘OK,’ said Ren. She stood up and thanked her.
Bob was with a detective in the hallway when she walked out. The detective nodded at Ren and took her place in the room.
‘Well, Mrs Whaley’s still drunk,’ said Ren.
‘I thought she might be,’ said Bob.
‘Do you know what’s sad?’ said Ren. ‘Millions of women will hear about this on the news, about the mother who was down in the restaurant getting drunk while her children were upstairs. And, really, there are lots of people everywhere who could just as easily be in the same position. Guilty, Your Honor. Of socializing.’
13
The Safe Streets team had made a command center out of the same office they had used for the Jean Transom investigation.
‘It’s like we never left,’ said Ren. She glanced at Colin. ‘Except you’re not at cat lady’s desk.’
‘Cat lady appears to be gone,’ said Cliff. ‘There’s no sign of any kitty pictures anywhere.’
‘She’s probably lying dead on her apartment floor and they’re chewing on her remains,’ said Ren.
‘So …’ said Gary. ‘Erica Whaley?’
‘Well, I’m not convinced of the whole notion of being scared sober,’ said Ren.
One look at myself at 3 a.m. in a bar-room mirror would solve all my problems if that were the case.
‘I think she’s telling the truth in as much as she can,’ said Ren, ‘but attention to detail won’t be her strong suit, and that’s really agitating her. Not to mention the showdown with her husband’s ex.’
‘Which lady is telling the truth about Mark Whaley?’ said Gary.
‘I’m guessing they both are,’ said Ren. ‘But despite her big defense of him, Erica Whaley still suspected him of having an affair.’
‘What’s your reading?’ said Gary.
‘I’m not sure about the affair,’ said Ren, ‘but I am sure that he is lying.’
‘What makes you say that?’ said Colin.
‘My gut,’ said Ren. ‘And a few other things.’ She read from the statement she had taken. ‘Exhibit A, when I asked him what time he left the table, and what happened, he said “I guess … eleven thirty? And then I came back down to Erica.”’
‘And?’ said Colin.
‘Think about it,’ said Ren. ‘The sitter has possibly taken your child. Wouldn’t you analyze every single second of your last encounter with her, then recount the entire thing? Mark Whaley fast-forwarded to getting back to his wife. He skipped the entire time he was in the room i.e. the last time he saw the sitter, and his daughter. That usually means that someone has edited out their bad behavior in some way.’
‘You don’t think it was just that he’s a nervous wreck?’ said Bob.
‘No,’ said Ren. ‘I also asked him was there anything out of place in the kids’ room. He answered: “Absolutely not. Nothing.” Who is absolutely sure of what is or isn’t out of place in a hotel room they’ve just been in a couple of hours?’ said Ren.
Bob nodded. ‘Hmm.’
‘It was like he wanted me to get out of that room, figuratively,’ said Ren. ‘Also, twice he answered my question with questions, as if he was stalling for time. Literally. Stalling for the time it took to come up with a time. Another weird thing was that twice he mentioned the sitter was wearing sweats. It’s kind of random. Oh, and then there was his pause after suggesting fifteen minutes, then quickly giving twenty as an option, which, I would venture is because he figured his wife would be in the other room telling a version that wouldn’t have added up. My conclusion is … there are two gaps in his story. At least.’
‘What do you think is at the root of them?’ said Gary.
‘That I don’t know,’ said Ren. ‘Maybe his wife is right – maybe he is having an affair. I don’t know …’
‘Maybe he stashed the mistress in another room,’ said Bob.
‘Is there a Mrs Smith on the guest list?’ said Ren.
‘Did you ask him to take a polygraph?’ said Gary.
‘I thought I’d wait a little while,’ said Ren. ‘I didn’t want to freak him out right away, but if anything else shows up …’
‘Let’s go to the hotel,’ said Gary.
He nodded toward Colin, Robbie and Cliff.
Robbie picked up his camera.
‘You do the room,’ said Ren. ‘I’ll follow you. I want to go talk to the desk clerk first. The statement he made earlier is … a little odd.’
Jared Labati was slouched in a chair in the office behind reception at The Merlin. He was staring at the floor, stretching a rubber band between his thumb and forefinger.
‘I already gave a statement,’ he said.
‘Not to me you didn’t,’ said Ren. ‘So, Jared, did you see anyone come in or out of the hotel after the Whaleys checked in?’
‘Just guests,’ said Jared, ‘and whoever they were meeting up with, I guess.’
‘Did you see Mr Whaley leave the hotel at any point?’ said Ren.
‘The Sheriff took the tape,’ said Jared.
‘I’m not talking about a tape right now,’ said Ren. ‘I’m asking you what you saw.’
You petulant prick.
‘Then, no,’ said Jared. ‘I didn’t see him leave the hotel. But I saw him leave the restaurant. Out of the corner of my eye. He headed for the elevator.’
‘Where were you?’ said Ren.
‘At the desk,’ said Jared.
‘Did you notice anything about him?’ said Ren.
‘It was only out of the corner of my eye,’ said Jared. ‘He was walking fast. It’s not like I was staring at him. He looked fine to me …’
‘And did you see him come back to the restaurant?’ said Ren.
‘No,’ said Jared.
‘Were you anywhere other than in the lobby area last night?’ said Ren.
‘No,’ said Jared.
‘What did Mr Whaley say when he phoned you from the room?’ said Ren.
Jared shrugged. ‘I think, like, “help, my daughter’s gone”, something like that. And he asked me to shut down the hotel. He kind of hung up, he was in a panic. So, I just went over and locked the front door. Then I called 911.’
‘How does it work if I’m a guest here and I want to book a sitter?’ said Ren.
‘Well, you call down or request a sitter at check-in and we put in a call to the agency.’
‘What agency do you use?’ said Ren, glancing at the notes.
‘It’s right there,’ he said, ‘Breck Sitters.’
‘I just want to hear you say it,’ said Ren. Her voice was flat. ‘So Shelby Royce was sent by Breck Sitters …’
‘Uh … yes.’
‘You seem a little hesitant,’ said Ren.
‘I just … I have to answer all these questions …’ said Jared.
‘Has she been to The Merlin before to babysit?’ said Ren.
‘No,’ said Jared.
‘Can you tell me anything else abo
ut Shelby?’ said Ren. ‘Do you know her well?’
‘Yeah,’ said Jared. ‘She lives on the same street, we went to the same high school. She was a couple years behind. But … we’re friends.’
‘And what kind of girl is she?’ said Ren.
‘Cr—, fun,’ said Jared.
‘What were you going to say?’ said Ren. ‘“Cr—”?’
‘Crazy?’ said Jared. ‘But, like, you would probably just take that the wrong way.’
‘Do you think?’ said Ren. ‘I had a few crazy friends back in the day …’ She glanced at her notebook. ‘Does Shelby have a best friend?’
‘Yes,’ said Jared. ‘Jane Allen, I guess.’
‘Do you have a number for her?’ said Ren.
‘No.’
‘Don’t worry, we’ll get a hold of her,’ said Ren. ‘Do you have any thoughts on where Shelby and Mr Whaley’s daughter might be?’
‘I only just saw the Whaley girl last night …’ He shrugged. ‘I don’t have a clue.’
‘Did any of your friends stop by the hotel last night to say hi to you?’ said Ren.
‘On a Saturday night?’ He snorted.
‘What about the staff?’ said Ren. ‘Did you notice anything different?’
‘No.’
‘Were any of the contractors here?’ said Ren.
‘Uh … four of them were here for dinner,’ said Jared, ‘but they left, like, at ten.’
‘They weren’t working …’ said Ren.
‘No.’
‘Do you know their names?’ said Ren.
‘No, but I can find out.’ He looked away. ‘I can’t think of anything else I can help you with.’
‘That’s not really your call,’ said Ren.
‘Look, it’s Sunday morning,’ said Jared, pointing to the reception desk, ‘people are trying to check out. I need to be there.’
‘It’s nine a.m.,’ said Ren. She looked at her notes. ‘Didn’t your shift end hours ago?’
‘Oh, yeah,’ said Jared. ‘I guess with all the commotion …’
‘Well, thank you for your time,’ said Ren, standing up, shaking his sweaty palm.
Ew.
14
The door to Room 304 was open, and Sheriff’s Office detectives were in the hallway outside, talking loud enough for Ren to follow the sound when she got off the elevator. She nodded to the men, flashed her badge to the officer at the door, and went in. She pulled on her gloves.