CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
May pulled up outside the police department feeling hopeful, as if the investigation was finally starting to turn her way.
And she had her wheels back, undamaged and her own again.
Owen arrived a moment after she did. They exchanged a quick, excited glance before rushing in. Despite the early hour, the police department was a hive of activity. Two of the security staff from the airport were still on site. So Emily Oxman must have just arrived.
May felt nervous at the thought of questioning her. This was going to be a huge opportunity, questioning a strong suspect in a murder case. She hoped she’d be able to get the right answers from this woman. She guessed Jack would take the lead, but she hoped she’d be able to give some input.
Jack bustled out of the room a moment later.
“Right,” he said. “Good morning, team. Everything is set up and ready. May, you can handle this interview, together with Owen. I’ll step in if you need me, or if you want a different person asking questions.”
“Me?” May asked.
She felt astonished by this display of trust and confidence from her boss.
“You worked out the link between the victim and the suspect, and then you did the research we needed. You’ve handled this case superbly every step of the way, and you need to manage this next step.”
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“You’ll be fine. You’re good at this. Just follow your instincts and your gut feeling.”
Feeling cheered by her boss’s praise, May rushed to the back office to get her notebook.
“Shall we go in?” she asked Owen.
“I’m ready,” he agreed.
Taking a deep breath, May stepped into the interview room and came face to face for the first time with her prime suspect.
The slim, blond woman stared back at her. Something about her expression, the defiant set of her jaw, made May instantly wary.
Emily didn’t look the type to be easily intimidated. She looked like she’d been around the block a few times and knew exactly how to handle herself. She didn’t look like someone who’d easily succumb to pressure or threats.
May knew she had only moments to read this woman and decide on an approach.
She told herself firmly, as she sat, that there was no need for her to be intimidated by this woman. She had the law on her side. She had an entire police department behind her. This woman was their suspect for very strong reasons, and they’d interrogate her until they got answers.
May sat down and stared at Emily silently. She wanted her to feel uncomfortable with the silence. She wanted her to start fearing what May might say. That would be the best approach, she thought.
May let it build, noting Emily’s reaction.
She was heartened to see Emily shift in her seat, trying to make herself more comfortable. Suddenly, she looked a little more nervous, as if being alone with her thoughts hadn’t gone well for her.
It felt like a game of cat and mouse, a game where May hoped she’d get to be the cat and Emily the mouse.
“I’m going to record this interview,” she said at last. She pressed the recording button on the machine.
“Please state your full name,” she said.
“Emily Ruth Oxman,” the journalist replied in a soft voice.
“Ms. Oxman, I’d like to remind you that this is a criminal investigation. Failure to comply with questioning, lying while being questioned, or not telling the full truth may count against you.”
“I understand,” Emily replied. Her voice was calm and strong but May saw her face twitch.
“I’m going to give you the chance to tell me this information of your own free will, before we seize the records ourselves,” May said firmly.
She saw Emily’s eyes narrow at that.
“Have you received any recent payments into your bank account from anyone connected with the Reed family?” May asked.
Emily stared at her in utter shock. She’d turned sheet white. Clearly, she had not expected this question at all, still less as the starting point. It had thrown her completely.
May guessed she was floored that they’d found out, and inwardly she felt deeply thankful to Kerry for providing the vital research she needed.
“I have the right to remain silent, I believe,” Emily said defiantly, her voice shaking.
“You may have the right to remain silent, but the law assumes you’ll tell the truth,” May said. “You may be in a position to make things easier for yourself if you do so. Denying that this payment was made will go very badly for you when we present the proof to the jury.”
The mention of the criminal trial in her future caused Emily to flinch.
“I didn’t do it,” she said in a shaking voice.
“Didn’t do what?” May said. She glanced at Owen and saw him briefly narrow his eyes. It was definitely the interview room equivalent of a high five. They were getting somewhere.
“I know you’ve brought me in because of the two murders. I know you suspect me. But I didn’t do it!”
“I don’t believe we’re at that point. We are still discussing the payment into your account,” May said firmly.
Emily let out a deep breath. She shook her head hard.
“Tell us about it,” May said.
“I—well, I guess—look, it’s not like you think. Danny put me up to this. He never liked her. Never liked Madeline.”
“Put you up to what?” May asked, curious to hear more.
Emily fidgeted in her seat, as if fighting her desire to run and hide.