“Get out,” Paige shouted. “That car’ll be worth a lot less with bullet holes in it.”
Larry held one hand up and turned off the engine with the other. He slowly exited his vehicle, exaggerating every move.
“Good. Hands where we can see them,” Paige said.
It definitely didn’t say anywhere in the FBI guidebook that agents were allowed to threaten unarmed persons of interest with gunfire. If Larry had any understanding of the law, he could sue them for millions. Ella hoped he was just a sketchy landlord, not a law guru.
“Ellis, gun down,” Ella said. Larry was vulnerable now. They didn’t need to intimidate him any further.
Paige lowered her weapon with hesitation. “You sure?”
“Yes I’m sure.” Ella wasn’t about to mention the potential legal repercussions in case Larry got any ideas. “Mr. Bilston, we uncovered something very strange this afternoon, and what makes it more strange is the fact you had the chance to mention it but didn’t.”
Larry wiped a pool of sweat off his forehead. Ella watched his body language closely. He was rubbing his thumb against his fingertips and pursing his lips. Two signs of discomfort.
“Oh? Remind me,” Larry said.
“Our first victim lived at 23 Zion House. Our second victim at 213 Orchard Complex. Both of these apartments are owned by you.” Ella made sure to phrase it as a statement.
Larry leaned against the car door and did a quick glance into his neighbor’s garden.
“I own every apartment in Zion House. I just happen to own that one in Orchard too.”
Larry was telling the truth. She’d checked his records before they set out. He did own every apartment in the complex where the first victim lived. In total, he owned thirty-six properties within ten miles.
“It’s a bit of a coincidence, Mr. Bilston, and it’s doubly suspicious that you neglected to mention this when we interviewed you.”
“Do you think I’m stupid? You think I don’t realize how fishy it looks? That’s why I didn’t mention it.”
“You didn’t think we’d find out? These are homicides. We’re going to scrutinize every little detail about them. Now it looks even sketchier that you didn’t mention it.”
“Whatever. I had nothing to do with these murders. Why would I kill my own tenants?”
“Teri Harper hadn’t paid you. You even told us this.”
“Yeah, she was a waster, but I’m not going to kill her, am I?” Larry said. He fidgeted with his wing mirror, adjusting it, and moving it back to its original position over and over.
“Can you tell us where you were on Wednesday night? And last night?”
“Here. At home.”
“Anyone to verify that?” asked Paige.
“No. Not unless beer can talk.”
Ella let silence fill the gaps. Something was unsettling the landlord and she had to find out what it was. He looked a little uneasy and she could tell the truth was rolling around his mouth. She just needed him to spit it out.
“Mr. Bilston, you understand we’re going to have to investigate this? We’re going to need to take you into the precinct for questioning. We can’t just overlook this.”
“No,” Larry said, “I don’t have time.” He opened up his car door. Ella stepped forward and grabbed it.
“Do we have to do this the hard way?”
Larry had one foot inside his vehicle. He glanced between the two agents, probably sizing up his options, Ella thought. Now that she was mere inches from him, she could scrutinize him a little more thoroughly. She could sense his energy and gauge his capacity for violence. The man definitely had some skeletons, but murder?
“Try me,” Larry said.
Ella reached forward, grabbed Larry’s arm and twisted it around his back. Larry yelped, trying to push her off but Ella had him locked. She pushed his face into the headrest, hard enough to let him know she meant business but gentle enough to avoid bruises.