Page 52 of Chasing a Kidnapper

West took a seat across the table from him. “Did you take your stepsister’s car without her permission, then abandon it?”

“What? No! Why would I do that?” West watched Cutter’s eyes closely. The confusion seemed genuine. “Did Renee tell you I took it?”

“No, she didn’t tell us anything about you knowing where she keeps the keys,” West said, continuing to gauge Nick Cutter’s response. “But she eventually admitted you could have been the one to take it.”

“I didn’t.” Cutter spread his hands wide. “Why would I?”

“Where were you two nights ago?” West said.

Now Cutter’s expression cleared. “I was working. I’m a bartender for the Plains City Pub and Grill.”

That was news to him, then again he’d assumed the guy was in the wind since he hadn’t answered his stepsister’s calls. He should have dug into Cutter’s background sooner. He continued asking more questions, but by the end of the interview, he knew Cutter wasn’t their masked kidnapper.

Leaving the interview room, he headed to his captain’s office. “He’s not our guy. Oh, we’ll verify his alibi, but if his story of being a bartender and working the past two nights in a row holds up, he’s not our perp.”

Ross sighed. “What’s your plan?”

He wished he had one. “I can interview Renee Mills again—” He was interrupted by his cell phone. “Hang on, this is Dan.”

“Where are you?” the ATF agent asked.

“At the precinct, why?”

“I’m bringing in another perp, a guy who showed up at the bus station, went to the lockers then came back out and glanced around as if looking for someone.” Slater’s voice held satisfaction. “He may be a gun buyer. I was hoping you’d help interview him.”

“Absolutely,” West agreed. He glanced at his watch, glad to note the interview with Cutter didn’t take too long. “I’ll be here.”

“Thanks.” Slater ended the call.

He filled in Ross. “Once I’m finished here, I’ll head back to the safe house. The next step might be to head back to Trish’s place to search for the key. I’d want several officers there, though, to back us up.” He frowned. “Especially if I bring Trisha and Gabriel along. She knows her house. It will help to have her there.”

“Fine with me. The sooner we wrap up that case, the more we can focus on these gun traffickers.” Ross waved his hand. “Do what you have to do.”

“Thanks.” He left his boss to return to the hub of the police station. Glancing at his watch, he hoped Slater and his perp would get there soon. As much as he was happy to have a lead on the gun traffickers, he wished there was more he could do to make sure Trisha and Gabriel were safe.

His best lead on Trish’s case was a bust. He’d really hoped Nick Cutter was their guy. He decided to use the time to call the Plains City Pub and Grill to verify he was indeed working.

Cutter was, which officially took him off the suspect list.

The only other step they could take was to return to Trish’s place. If they didn’t find the key, and soon, he was afraid this guy would make another attempt on Trisha and Gabriel.

And he could not let that happen.

His relationship with God had been rocky since Kenyon’s death, but now he lifted his heart in prayer, begging for God to grant him the strength and wisdom to keep them safe.

Gabriel’s teething meant lots of walking him around the house, bouncing him on her hip. If this was what her friend had been forced to do, it was no wonder her kidney had started to bleed. Trisha never should have left Gabriel in Laurel’s care.

“It’s okay, big guy,” she murmured soothingly. She had given Gabriel the teething ring again, which he gnawed with relish. But the moment the coolness wore off he’d dropped it.

Hence the pacing. And jostling. And rubbing his back.

Peanut seemed to sense her son’s discomfort, following her as she paced from one end of the house to the other.

After giving her son his bottle, his eyelids finally started to droop. She was hopeful that he’d take an afternoon nap so she could try working on the computer again.

Her phone dinged with an incoming text from West. Her heart sank when she read the message.

Cutter isn’t our guy. Has an alibi. Need to stay for a bit. Will call later.

---