“They are?” Kerry asked in surprise, as if astounded to learn that her partner possessed this talent.
“Yes. But these are men’s shoes. I think the one on the victim’s foot was a ladies’ shoe, from the photographs. Still, this could be your proof,” Adams told her.
“Yes, it could,” Kerry said.
May stared down at the shoes, feeling a flare of excitement and hope. Perhaps her misgivings had been wrong.
“He’s a team manager. Surely there is a reasonable explanation for why he has these shoes in his car?” Owen asked.
Kerry was ready with some possible theories.
“The killer has the shoes available. In a moment of madness, he sees the opportunity to add to the scene of a murder. Perhaps he did it because he wanted to personally feel satisfaction at the link to playing sports.”
“That’s a good theory,” Adams said.
“Maybe he liked to torture her. He enjoyed seeing her in pain and he forced her to wear that small shoe to make her uncomfortable,” Kerry then said.
Adams nodded knowingly.
“Like the Hobart case,” he said to Kerry.
“Exactly. The Hobart case is the perfect example. He was also a successful businessman, quite similar to Jessop. And he had a deeply sadistic side that was well hidden.”
“Yes,” Adams said.
“How about the shirt?” May asked. “Shawna was found with a too-small shirt.”
Kerry nodded. “That is a standard sport shirt. Can be used for any sport, including lacrosse. So the link is still there. Sports. That’s why he killed. To protect his team.”
“Or, the sadism link is there, too. Force the victim to wear small clothing to make her uncomfortable,” Adams said.
“We’ve also got the evidence of woodworking in his home, and that he had sleeping pills in his possession. The circumstantial evidence is now very strong,” Kerry stated. “I think we need to go in for another round of questioning with Jessop.”
“Agreed. Let’s confront him with all this evidence. And go at him hard, he needs to crack now,” Adams said.
“I think you should come in with me, Adams,” Kerry said to him. “Let’s us two go and do that approach we used with Hobart. It worked then, and I am sure it will work again.”
“I think that’s the right approach.” Adams gave her a confident grin.
Together, the two of them turned and strode back into the police department.
May couldn’t help but feel totally sidelined. She looked down, not wanting Owen to see how ashamed she felt. Kerry and Adams were such a strong team. May had tried so hard to be of value to this case, but what had she done? Nothing! At least Owen had uncovered useful information. May’s sole contribution to the success of this investigation had been breathing some of the air in the interview room, and frowning sternly at Jessop when Kerry asked a question.
She racked her brain for something constructive she could do now that would help to move the case forward while the two agents were doing their high-pressure questioning.
As she paced up and down outside the police department, a car pulled up and a harassed-looking woman scrambled out.
“Good afternoon,” she said breathlessly.
May could see she had been crying. She looked in her early forties, and also vaguely familiar. May thought she’d seen her around town before.
“Good afternoon, ma’am. How can we help?” she asked politely, hurrying over to the citizen in need.
“My daughter’s missing!” the woman said.
May’s eyes widened.
“Missing? Since when?” A chill went through her.