“Did Hendrick talk to you at all that night?”
“He told me the woman who he had been with for the last five years had left him at the altar, and left him with debt he wasn't sure he could ever repay. I don’t know how it happened. One moment we were sitting there talking about our messed-up love lives, and the next we were ripping off each other’s clothes and making love right there in the park.”
“Do you remember anything specific that he said?”
Whitney paused, considered, then said, “Right before he entered me, he said that he wasn't good enough for me, that I was beautiful like a princess, and he was nothing. I told him that inside every man lives some girl’s Prince Charming.”
“Did you think he was your Prince Charming? Did you look for him?”
“For weeks I went back to that park every night, but I never saw him again. He’d been working as Georgia’s gardener for a couple of months before I realized it was him. One day it was hot, and I was bored and lonely, I took him some homemade lemonade, when he thanked me I knew. I could never forget that voice. But I didn't know. I didn't know he was a killer, I didn't know. Do you really think it’s him? Is this my fault? Did Georgia die because of me?”
Matthew wondered if that night had been the inspiration for the whole Prince Charming, princess, fairytale theme the killer had chosen. If indeed Hendrick Mint was the killer, and he still wasn't convinced either way. An argument could be made that either Rick or Jaden was the killer. And an argument could be made that either Rick or Jadenweren’tthe killer. What he did know was that none of this was Whitney’s fault.
“Georgia died because someone made a choice to kidnap her and kill her. Those choices were not made because of anything you did or said,” he assured her. Whitney didn't look like she believed him. “Do you have someone you can stay with for a while?”
“I have a brother,” she said softly. Her eyes had taken on a glassy sheen, he didn't think he would get anything else useful out of her today.
“I'm going to call him and ask him to come and pick you up, perhaps you could stay with him for a few days.”
“Okay,” she whispered in a small, childlike voice.
Leaving Whitney in the care of an officer, Matthew headed downstairs. He’d asked Beau Drake to bring in Emmy and Mac so he could show them pictures of Hendrick Mint and Jaden Kite to see if they could identify either as the man they saw in their house. Beau had been reluctant to bring the children by. Reluctant was quite the understatement. He had been extremely uncooperative, refusing to let the children come, claiming he was trying to do what was in their best interests, but really it seemed like he was only interested in doing what was in his own best interest. His children wanted their mother found alive, but from his point of view, having Mila out of the picture meant he could have his children all to himself and didn't have to worry about the divorce or the custody case. It was hard to comprehend someone being co cruel and callous, but Beau certainly didn't seem upset about the mother of his children being abducted.
“We can't stay long,” Beau said as soon as he saw Matthew.
“That’s fine, Mr. Drake. I just need to show the kids a couple of pictures.”
“What kind of pictures?” Beau asked suspiciously.
“Just photos of our suspects. I want to see if you guys recognize either of these men as the one you saw in your house,” he turned to address Emmy and Mac.
“Do you know for sure it’s one of these men?” Emmy asked, her eyes way too old for a twelve-year-old. She had grown up a lot the last couple of days.
“No, but you two can help me narrow things down,” he told them honestly.
“Are the pictures scary?” Mac asked, his face serious.
“No, they’re just photos of the men, kind of like you get when you get your school pictures taken. Are you ready?”
Emmy and Mac both nodded solemnly.
Matthew held out the photos of Hendrick and Jaden for the children to see. They immediately pointed at a photo. Or rather they immediately pointed at the opposite photos.
“It’s him,” Emmy said, pointing to Hendrick.
“Him.” Mac pointed at Jaden.
The children looked at each other, and then helplessly at him. Matthew felt just as helpless. They were no closer to discovering which man was the killer, and they had no definitive proof it was either of them anyway. His partner’s sister was running out of time.
* * * * *
11:11 A.M.
“You got the profiles set up?” Matthew asked as he entered the room.
“We’re just finalizing them,” Jonathon replied.
“We’re going with two?”