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“We need to get down to the interrogation room and see what this guy has to say.”
Distaste crossed her face and he realized she was not looking forward to the confrontation. But she was determined to go through with it. Anything to find Bethany. Just another example of the kind of woman she was.
More doubts crowded him as they walked back down the hall. He had a feeling he’d made a terrible mistake sixteen years ago in refusing to move past his own hurt to listen to the girl he’d loved.
But that would have to wait. Pushing down his surging emotions, they entered the room and took a seat behind the two-way mirror.
Mason looked at Lacey who fidgeted with the strap of her purse. “Do you know how this works?”
She bit her lip. “Just from the TV version.”
“It’s not so different. They’ll bring Howe and his lawyer in, present them with any evidence we have and start asking questions.”
“She has to be okay, Mason.” Lacey whispered the words and he had to strain to hear her. “She’s been my whole life for fifteen years, the reason I got up in the mornings, the reason I didn’t give up and crawl into a hole and die.”
What could he say? He couldn’t bring himself to promise everything would work out. He’d seen too many times when it didn’t. More times than it did.
Scooting his chair closer to hers, he grasped her hand and held it. She shot him a grateful look, glanced over his shoulder, then gasped. “There he is.”
Mason turned to see John Howe and his lawyer enter the interrogation room. Howe walked with a pronounced limp—more so than when Mason had chased him and lost him—but he was walking under his own steam. Catelyn and Daniel brought up the rear.
Mason squeezed her fingers. “I’m going down there. I’ll be back when we’re done.”
“They’ll let you in?”
“Oh yeah, they’ll let me in.”
* * *
Lacey wasn’t too sure, but didn’t protest. She watched him leave, and a few minutes later he was allowed access to the room.
Catelyn didn’t look surprised to see him. Daniel looked irritated, but didn’t say anything.
After introductions and the lawyer’s warning to his client not to answer until directed, they got started.
Daniel asked, “Why did you run when we showed up at your house?”
“Because I knew why you were there.”
Lacey rocked back. He was admitting it? She admired the fact that Mason was able to keep a straight face. He jumped in.
“So where’s Bethany?”
“Look,” Howe sighed, “I’m cooperating with you because my lawyer convinced me it was in my best interest to cut a deal, but I tell you I don’t know where the girl is. She got away from me.”
Hope exploded through Lacey.
“Why did you try to take her in the first place?”
“I got a phone call from someone. That person asked if I wanted to make a lot of money.” He squirmed. “I got debts to pay so I agreed.”
“To kidnapping?” Catelyn asked.
“Well, not at first.” He cleared his throat. “I didn’t realize that’s what I was agreeing to. I was just supposed to watch this girl and report back what she was doing, her daily routine, her relationship with her mother. I was the new guy at the karate school and I suppose this person knew Bethany went there. It was just supposed to be watching her, following her. You know—” he shrugged “—like surveillance stuff.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask.” He flushed. “I needed the money too much to worry about it.”