Page 29 of Facing the Enemy
“Mrs. Wade,” I said. “He’s a professional. He knows how to secure your confidence and play into tender emotions.”
Nanette swallowed hard. “Could Emily have faked her pregnancy? I think the correct term is a putative mother.”
“Right. A putative mother means the biological relationship to a child hasn’t been established.” No matter how many times I interviewed heartbroken parents, it never got easier. “Or she might be a victim too. Her baby could have gone to another home.”
Alex spoke up. “Originally, I made two copies of the original documents from our first meeting when Nan and I decided to move forward with the adoption application. I had all three copies in the car while we were at Sinclair’s office. But someone broke into our car and stole them. The theft seemed odd, random, until now. Those papers were valuable only to us.” He paused. “Actually they were more valuable to Sinclair.”
“Did you file a police report?”
“Yes, sir,” Alex said. “Mr. Sinclair phoned the police, and I have the officer’s report in the manila envelope. While at Sinclair’s office I insisted on him making a copy of all the documents that he had there. I checked to ensure the important ones were included. I also added his business card and brochure. Those I have with me.”
Jack slid the envelope to Alex. “I think we should see what’s inside. Mr. Sinclair made a dangerous error by not counting on you keeping copies of the paperwork and documents.”
“I assume you’ll want a copy of the contents.” He opened the metal fastener and pulled out a stack of paper.
All the pages were blank.
15
Alex stiffened and shuffled through the blank pages. Twice. The interview room grew icy. “Where are all the papers I copied?” He fumbled through them again. “Those were the evidence needed to show we’d been scammed.”
“Mr. Wade,” I said as gently as possible. “Could your documents be in another place? Has someone switched them?”
He released a ragged breath. “I don’t have any explanation.”
When the devastation of the stolen documents calmed around the Wades, I asked if they could answer additional questions.
“Yes, sir.” Alex gave his wife a nod. “We’re committed to helping you.”
“When did you last review the envelope’s documents?” I said to him.
He rubbed his face. “The morning we picked up our ... the Addingtons’ baby, Nanette and I wanted to make sure the papers had been signed and were in order along with the copies for our records. We determined nothing was left for us to do but gain possession of our baby. The envelope was intact. My instinct told me to bring the envelope, but we were excited.”
“Alex, we have an alarm system,” Nanette said. “Why didn’t anyone call us about an entry? No other explanation is out there but the documents were swapped with blank pages.”
Alex startled. “Oh, my—”
“What is it?” Nanette said.
“I told Sinclair the night he came to dinner that I’d made a second copy of the paperwork he’d given to us after the theft.”
I held up a finger for a question. “You made a copy of the copy Sinclair made for you to replace the stolen documents.”
“Yes. I then had two copies of our agreement. He knew about our precautions. He also insisted I keep the copies together until we had our child, then place both in a safe.” He massaged neck muscles. “What have I done?”
“Won’t the alarm company have the entry in their reports?” she said.
“When we’re finished here, I’ll call them for a moment-by-moment report. Or check online.”
Jack caught my attention. We must have been on the same wavelength. “We are flexible, and this interview is yours. Why not check with your alarm company now?” Jack handed Alex his cell phone since the Wades’ mobile devices were at the front desk.
“What’s the name of your service?” I positioned my hand on the legal pad and clicked my pen.
“It’s local—CitySafe.”
I pulled up the Des Moines alarm system for the website, phone number, and physical address of the company.
Alex navigated the phone and pressed in a number. Someone must have answered because he gave his name and password along with the date his home was burglarized, the same day the Addingtons’ baby was placed in Nanette’s arms. He jutted his jaw. “You have nothing on your records other than the times we alarmed and disarmed our system?” He studied his wife. “I see. How do you explain a break-in while my wife and I were away from our home?” He listened. “We have discovered missing valuables, and no, we haven’t alerted the police department or home insurance company. We called you first.” He stiffened. “Filing a report doesn’t return our property or give us clarification about how thieves gained entrance into our home—our home that we paid for an alarm system and ongoing monitoring. Iwill be in touch after I contact the police.” He huffed, then ended the call and glanced at me, then Jack. “That went well.” He was seething, and I’d feel the same way in his situation.
