Page 108 of Our Daughter's Bones
“Yes. I never bought any locks for the windows. The cabin is so deep in the woods that I was almost guaranteed seclusion and safety.”
She pulled out a map from the file. “This is where Abby was last seen.” She indicated with her finger. “Between the gas station and the bank, within a mile of Lakemore High. Your cabin is over here, nestled deep inside the woods. There’s only one possibility. Abby was grabbed here and taken all the way to your cabin, where perhaps she decided to fight back. A struggle ensued, the lamp fell down, Abby was injured, and then she was moved to a different location. Why was your cabin chosen to hide Abby?”
“As I said, its location offers seclusion.”
“But whyyours?” she challenged. “There are other cabins in those woods. Itisa bit of a coincidence that she was taken to the cabin belonging to you, the man she had mentioned several times in her personal diary by his nickname. The Monster.”
His forehead bunched. “Excuse me? She mentioned me in her diary?”
“She described you as someone who watches her and follows her,” Nick said. “She called you untouchable.”
A series of grunts escaped Grayson’s throat, like an engine coughing to life. “She’s delusional! I didn’t even know she existed before she went missing.”
“Then it was someone you know who took her. Someone who has been to your cabin before decided to take advantage of its location,” Nick said.
“Who else has access to your cabin, Mr. Grayson?” Mackenzie asked.
“Many people. Over the years, I have entertained friends and family there. They all know about it. I’ve loaned out keys—I can’t say for certain I’ve got them all back.”
“What about your current team?”
“Yes. My boys have used the cabin several times before.”
“Including Quinn Jones?” She raised an eyebrow.
Bill looked puzzled. “What are you implying?”
“He’s the only one connected to you and the victim.”
“Quinn is a good boy, and not just because he’s the captain of the team. Sure, he’s slightly temperamental, but he’s under a lot of pressure to perform. It’s not easy being Nathaniel’s son. There are expectations. I implore you to look past his volatile demeanor.”
Mackenzie had. She had seen the boy behind the facade. It was unlikely that Quinn would abduct Abby and move her all over the city. Not with his schedule. Certainly not with his personality. But people could surprise you.
“Where were you on the afternoon of September eleventh?” Nick asked.
“I was coaching the boys. After school, we have practice. There are witnesses.”
“We’ll check. It will be helpful to have your schedule for the few days after September eleventh as well.”
“Of course. I’ll have my assistant send you my calendar.”
Peck smiled haughtily, like he’d been proven right. There was no need to arrest Bill—a conversation had been enough. For Mackenzie, either Bill was innocent, or he was extremely manipulative.
She had been convinced that Bill was the culprit.
Abby mentioning him in her diary wasn’t a coincidence. There was something more to uncover. She was still waiting for Justin and Daniel to dig up more on Magnus Pharma.
Determined, she pulled out the last resort. A picture of the cocktail napkin with 916 and the logo.
Before she could ask a question, the blood drained from Grayson’s face. The pink flush crept down his sagging skin like an army retreating from a battlefield. His lips parted, revealing his chattering teeth. Slowly, his fingers snaked toward the picture.
“Do you recognize this?” Mackenzie asked.
“I… I… I haven’t seen the napkin before.”
“But you know what this is?” Nick pressed, circling the logo with his finger.
“Yes, I do.” Grayson rubbed his forehead. “Club 916.”
