Page 15 of Three Girls Gone

She shifted to face him in the back. “Which means?”

“Not a hard look.”

“Right, so you saw who they were and gave them a free pass. Meanwhile, a six-year-old girl was missing, and they were in the family home in proximity to the girl. They would have been able to build up trust with her.”

“I don’t think you’re hearing what I’m saying. These people aren’t the type you accuse of anything, or even project a hint of suspicion toward, unless you have a solid case to start.”

“We’ll need the names,” she said. “In fact, I’d like all your investigation reports sent over to us at Central.”

“I’ll do that, but I’m telling you that the investors at that dinner don’t need your focus,” McGee seethed.

“With respect,” she said, not feeling any in this moment, “I’ve taken down people in high-ranking positions, those who should have been trustworthy mentors. Yet they committed some of the worst atrocities imaginable.”

“You’re referring to the sex-trafficking ring you brought down a few years back.”

His knowledge of this didn’t surprise her, as it had been big news. “Then you know I’m not easily intimidated. Neither is my partner here.”

Trent looked at her and gave her a subtle nod.

“Well, I hardly think Mayor Beswick took Hailey Tanner and killed her.”

He was probably right. But the facts remained that someone had abducted and killed a little girl, and Amanda would find that person. Witnessing the Tanners’ grief had regurgitated her own, but cases involving children always hit hard. Lindsey would have turned seventeen next month.

EIGHT

Amanda was happy to see the back of Detective McGee when they dropped him off at Heroes Memorial Park for his car. Nothing personal, but she just needed a break from him. She might be projecting, holding him accountable for Hailey’s fate. But maybe if he had done a better job, been courageous enough to ask tough questions, even of the bigwigs, Hailey may have been safely returned to her parents.May have been…

Trent was about to drive out of the lot when Officer Wyatt came trotting over, holding up a finger for them to wait. He went to the passenger side, and she put the window down.

He was panting. “Seeing as you’re here, I thought I’d let you know that we’ve spoken to every civilian who has turned up at the park, and no one was here earlier this morning and can shed any light on who put the girl there.”

She was thinking,Thanks for thenon-update, but that was her bitter frustration talking.

“Also, one lock on the men’s public restroom was broken from the outside,” Wyatt added, earning her attention. “The CSIs are processing it, the door, and inside to see if there is any evidence that will assist the case.”

Amanda had noted the Crime Scene van in the lot. As she’d suspected when CSIs Stuart and Keller showed up, Blair and Donnelly were still working here. “Interesting, butonelock?”

“There are two doors. One on each side of the building.”

“Good to know, and thanks for that update,” she told him.

“Don’t mention it.” Wyatt slapped the top of the roof and stepped back.

Amanda put the window back up and turned to Trent, shaking her head. “I’m not holding out high hopes, but it would sure be nice to catch the person behind this sooner rather than later.”

“Agreed. They need to be held accountable. So where to next? The nanny or the former employee?”

“Or to speak to Susan Butters’s mother.”

Trent angled his head, as if her suggestion caught him off guard.

“The Tanners didn’t know Butters, but she’s still a suspect in my book. Her mother could provide more insight into Susan’s mindset about children. If she was obsessed with not having one…”

“I think we should ask the nanny, Mara Bennett, if she knows Susan Butters before we take things that far.”

“You think I’m getting carried away.”

“I never said that. You’ve got impeccable instincts.”