Page 20 of Three Girls Gone

“We do,” Amanda said.

“Why are you asking about him?” Mara let her gaze dance back and forth between them.

“We’re trying to get a picture of the people in the Tanners’ lives, and we heard he came by around Christmas with a gift for Hailey.” Amanda would hold back about the missing tutu and slippers for now.

“He did, but there’s no way Nick’s involved in what happened to Hailey.”

“You sound confident,” Trent said. “Do you know the man well?”

Mara’s cheeks flushed. “Well enough. We had a thing for a little while.”

“Bything, you mean a romantic relationship?” Amanda sought clarity. It was possible that Nick Potter and Mara Bennett worked together.

“Relationshipis too heavy a word to describe what we had. A tryst, a brief affair. Either of those would do it more justice.”

“How long were you together?” Amanda censored herself not to saycouple.

“Nick and I started up around Christmas and it lasted a week past New Year’s.”

“But things ended?” Trent looked up from his tablet.

“Just as fast as they started, but it was mutual.”

“Was he ever over when the Tanners weren’t around?” Amanda asked.

“Maybe once or twice, but please don’t tell the Tanners. They didn’t want me to have visitors over when they weren’t around.”

Amanda found that rule understandable even if a person didn’t have a child. Factor in one age six, even more so.

“You took a risk. Hailey was old enough to talk and expose you,” Trent pointed out.

“We were careful about that. He’d only visit when she was in school, and I had the house otherwise to myself.”

“When was the last time Nick was there?” Amanda asked.

“January. Jean was out at some charity event or lunch with friends.”

“Did you ever bring anyone else into the home without their knowledge?”

“No, I swear.”

“No other lovers?” Amanda stressed.

“Absolutely not. I only let Nick in because I trusted him and the family knew him.”

“Well, in most cases of child abduction, it is someone close to the family and the kid,” Amanda pointed out.

“As I said, Nick’s not responsible and neither am I, if that’s where you’re going with all these questions. Detective McGee made no secret we were suspects in Hailey’s disappearance. Should I hire a lawyer?”

“That is up to you,” Amanda said. “Right now, we’re just talking.”

“Well, I think it’s time for you to leave.”

A key jangled in the apartment’s deadbolt hole but was promptly removed. The door swung open. “Mara? Why is the door unlocked?” a woman called out.

An older version of Mara peeked her head into the living room and brought with her the aroma of french fries and cheeseburgers. The source likely the paper bag stained with grease in her hand. Her expression of irritation deepened when she saw Amanda and Trent. “Police?”

“We are—” Amanda started but was interrupted.