Page 61 of Facing the Enemy
Carson snickered. “How long will I be at the FBI office?”
“As long as it takes to give your statement, answer questions, and whatever else I add to the list. The man who picked up your stepdad, what did he wear?”
“I think jeans. Nothing stood out. Am I under arrest?”
The anxiety of a kid who had a lot to lose with his testimony. “If there’s evidence to charge you, yes. Your stepdad may have an alibi for your claims.”
“He’ll be there?”
“Like you, he’s a person of interest.”
Carson breathed in deeply. “The ‘innocent until proven guilty’ thing.” He faced his day of reckoning.
At the office, I escorted Carson to an interview room with ASAC Kendall of our division, who’d been briefed on the investigation. He was about to retire after serving thirty years. Gray hair cut in a buzz from his military days. Just divorced his fourth wife. All business. Any humor was only if he initiated it. After introductions, Carson retold his story, and I found no inconsistencies.
“We’re processing your request for your mother and brother’s safety,” the ASAC said. “Am I to understand you’d like to join them?”
“I guess so. When will you talk to my stepdad?”
The ASAC didn’t miss a beat. “In about thirty minutes.”
“I’d like to watch it.”
ASAC Kendall squinted. “Why?”
“From what I said, doesn’t it make sense?”
“Impossible.”
“But—”
“Impossible. Think about it. Do you want your stepfather privy to our discussion?”
“No, sir. Will what I say and what he says be released later?”
Turn it off, Carson. The ASAC isn’t as congenial as I am.I shot the kid a glare.
“Sorry, sir,” Carson said to ASAC Kendall. “Do I sit here until you’ve finished questioning him?” His knee danced under the table.
“Yes. We need a sample of your handwriting and an appointment made for a psychological interview.”
“Why? Do you think I’m crazy?”
“We simply need to make sure you’re not fabricating anything.”
Carson’s emotions had to be off the charts. I left him with another agent, a female who could talk the legs off a wooden horse.
The receptionist texted the ASAC and me when Ethan Mercury arrived for his scheduled interview—twenty minutes early. Odd. Perhaps he was only anxious. I stood with the ASAC outside the interview room, with my legal pad and pen in hand, and observed Ethan Mercury through the one-way glass. He would remember me from the night Risa and I had stopped by his home. Although I hadn’t deceived the Mercurys, I hadn’t been up-front either. The interview could go south quickly.
Mercury trembled, and perspiration beaded on his brow. Why? Fear? Curiosity? Remorse?
We entered the interview room, and I immediately saw recognition in Mercury’s eyes. ASAC Kendall made the introductions, and I took the lead.
“We’ve met before, Mr. Mercury.”
“You were with Professor Jacobs the night she was digging for information about Carson.” His voice rose. “You lied to me and my wife under the guise of locating our son. Is that how the FBI operates? Lie to innocent people?” Mercury stood, his face red and his eyes wild.
“Sit down,” I said, firmly. “Mr. Mercury, your son had disappeared. Professor Jacobs had questions about his term paper that affected his grade, and I had reason to believe he was a person of interest in a murder case.”
