Never Run (May Moore Suspense Thriller 1)

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

There was an excited, expectant atmosphere in Fairshore. May picked up on it as soon as they drove into town. The feeling intensified as she headed down Main Street.

"Wow, I've never seen our police department so busy. Not even for the festival," Owen remarked.

People were walking toward the police department. Cars were driving there. Outside, several vans indicated that the media were present in force.

"That news got out fast," May muttered, feeling stressed.

She knew that the facts must have spread like wildfire, and now the Fairshore citizens were heading to the police department, because they wanted to see the captured suspect, and be the first to know if he was going to be officially accused of the crime.

As May drove up, she saw her sister on the outside stairs. She was already giving a news interview. Wearing her FBI jacket, she was being filmed against the backdrop of the police department sign, which gave her an official air.

Buzzing her window down, May eavesdropped on what Kerry was saying.

"We have apprehended a strong suspect," Kerry explained, in a cool and composed voice. "The takedown was violent and dangerous, and we were at great personal risk.” Gasps followed this news.

“Luckily, thanks to our extensive training, and the quick reactions of Agent Adams, the suspect was overpowered and taken into our custody before he could do serious damage. We are now in the process of questioning him. And we will make an announcement as soon as we have any news."

Loud applause followed.

May eased the car forward and parked around the side of the police department. If Kerry had seen them, she’d hopefully think they were just returning from issuing a few parking tickets. They hurried through the back door and walked softly down the corridor.

The lobby was crowded. There were about ten members of the public there, and a few other police officers, who must be from the surrounding precincts.

In the small police department, there was only one room that could be used as an interview room. It was tiny, but it had a window, as well as a ventilation grille so that the interview could be overheard from the even tinier office beyond.

May sidled into the adjoining office. She peeked in through the small window. As she looked through, Kerry entered the room.

She sat down next to Adams, who was touching his nose tenderly, and glared across the desk at the suspect.

Edgar Boone's gray hair was ruffled and untidy. He had a smudge on his face, and his knuckles were grazed. Up close, May thought he looked aggressive and uncooperative. His arrest had not changed his demeanor from the stance she’d overheard when he’d been home.

"Mr. Boone, you've been arrested on suspicion of murder," Kerry told him, in a solemn voice. "We have evidence that points to you, and we are going to use that evidence to prove your guilt. I suggest you talk now, because there's no point in denying this."

"Evidence? I have no idea what you are talking about." The suspect's voice was low and husky and sounded adamant.

"Where is Cassandra Cole?" Kerry pressured him. “You were picked up by a speed camera in the vicinity of her home, at around the time she was taken. Where did you take her?”

“I didn’t take her anywhere! I don’t even know where she lives,” Boone retorted.

“You must know, since you drove right past the corner where her home is.”

"Hang on, she’s that local girl who went missing. The neighbors told me. I haven't seen her."

"Are you sure?" Kerry fixed him with a piercing stare.

"Of course I'm sure!"

"How about Savannah Knight?"

"Never heard of her," Boone retorted. "Look, I don’t live under a rock, okay? I’ve heard about the murders in the county. I know you're trying to connect me with those. But I don’t have any details. Not even names. And not addresses."

"You were watching her through your binoculars when she was on the lake.”

Boone shrugged. “I can watch who I want. It’s not a crime.”

“Abduction and murder are crimes,” Kerry shot back.

"I am not the guilty party. I had nothing to do with those murders."

"Where did you go the night before last?" Kerry pressured him.

"I went to fish on the northern side of the lake. I stayed there till late, then I came home.”

“Did anyone see you?”

“No. That’s why I go there. Because it’s quiet.”

“What did you do with Savannah Knight’s clothing?”

“Are you mad?” Boone stared at her incredulously. “Are you even listening to a thing I say?”

"We're going to search your cabin," Kerry said. "And we have search warrants, so don't bother arguing."

"Search away," the man said with a shrug. "You won't find anything of interest. I'm not the killer you're looking for."

"What makes you so sure?" Kerry demanded.