Page 43 of Fatal Betrayal

"You did make a statement confirming that he was being investigated."

"I don't recall that. But it's possible I confirmed we were talking to him along with other suspects. You know how the media is. You have to give them something."

"I've never put that big of a target on a person of interest when there was so little evidence."

He bristled at her words. "That's not true. You've been in the press. I've seen some of your interviews. You've had to talk about suspects. And you know that no matter how good we are, sometimes we just can't bring a missing person home. That’s a sad and harsh truth." He took an angry breath. "Your old friend, Bradford, needs someone to blame for his brother's death, and I'm a good target. Not just me, the entire team of agents that worked on that case. He's trying to destroy your fellow agents. I hope you don't forget that when you're talking to him. You can't trust him. You can't trust anything he says."

She couldn't tell him he was wrong, because he was the best target Cooper had besides herself. But there was something really uncomfortable about their entire conversation, and she was beginning to better understand why Damon had given her the case.

"Can I buy you breakfast?" Burnett asked.

She was still hungry, but she was eager to get to the Benedict's house, and she really didn't want to spend any more time with Agent Burnett. "I had coffee. That's all I need."

"Keep in touch."

She gave him a brief smile as she got to her feet. "Thanks for your help."

As she headed out of the restaurant, she got a call from Flynn.

"The media is hounding us for an update. We're setting up a press conference for eleven o'clock this morning. I'd love to have something definitive to say."

"I would love that, too, but we have next to nothing." She felt like a failure having to admit that. "The press conference could be helpful in increasing public awareness of the case and generating more leads. Have you spoken to Neil Benedict? Does the family want to make a statement?"

"I haven't spoken to him yet, but I'd prefer if they didn't make a statement. I'd like to keep this short and simple with just you and Damon at the microphone."

"Damon, not you?" she asked.

"It's less complicated if Damon looks like he's running things."

She was a little surprised that Flynn was so willing to stay in the shadows. On the other hand, that's where he'd always operated best. "All right. I'll go to the Benedict's house now and let them know that we'll be making a statement and hopefully talk them out of trying to be involved, too."

CHAPTERTEN

When she arrivedat the Benedict home a little before nine, the media presence was heavy. The police had provided an officer to control the crowd, but as she walked past the caution tape, she was thrown numerous questions, none of which she answered.

Another officer let her into the house, and she found three members of the Benedict household gathered in the living room: Neil and his parents were having an intense and somewhat heated conversation when she entered. There was no sign of Claire, Kristine, or Solange.

"Agent Hart, I'm glad you're here," Neil said, getting up from the couch. "I want to make a statement. I want to ask for the public's help in finding my daughter."

"We're going to hold a press conference today at eleven," she said. "It will be at the LA office, and the director, Damon Wolfe, and myself will be making a statement and answering questions."

"Okay. So, Claire and I can speak as well."

"We talked yesterday about why that wasn't a good idea."

"It wasn't a good idea when we were waiting for a ransom demand, but that never came, and my little girl has been gone for twenty-four hours. We need everyone to start looking for her."

"I understand your desperation and your fear," she told him. "I would want to do the same thing, but it's better if you don't go on camera."

"Why?"

"You'll give too much away."

"Give what away? I don't know anything."

"Exactly. But the kidnapper doesn't know that. It's best if he or she doesn't have any idea how close or how far away we are to finding them."

"Are we close or are we far away?" he challenged.