Page 13 of No Time for Doubt
The next morning in the bullpen, he was right back in the thick of it, burdened with the growing awareness that a certain “counselor” was on the right track about Daniel Pereda.
As he reviewed the photos and statements they’d gathered so far, a potential motive was forming.And all of it underscored Norris’s theory.He shoved back from his desk and went for another cup of coffee.
If she was so damn right, logic dictated that she must’ve been involved somehow.Except the evidence didn’t support that logic.
“I hate psychics,” he muttered.Gulping coffee, he tried to make Ms.Norris fit into the case properly before his next person-of-interest arrived.
The mistress, Tansy Milton, had been found holed up in a hotel across town from the residence.She’d used her sister’s name to check in, but used her own credit card for the room and the rideshare service to get to the hotel from the spa.A criminal mastermind, she was not.
When confronted by officers this morning, she agreed to come in and talk to Cade.
Would the “counselor” be as cooperative when he called on her?The woman scared him more than a little.Not because she spouted off knowledge she shouldn’t know.He didn’t believe in her counselor-psychic woo-woo babble.
She was a glorified con artist as far as he was concerned.
Despite her claims to the contrary, Nell must’ve had some idea her husband was cheating and Norris had picked up on the tension or emotional cues or something.Then she’d conflated a theory so she could insert herself into the crisis and subsequently milk Nell for more money.
A small voice in the back of his head told him he was full of crap, urged him to review the facts he valued so highly.Too bad.He wasn’t ready to listen to that voice just now.Psychics were always working an angle.They spewed vague guesses and insinuations, consistently interfering with the process.Sparking hope at best.Derailing solid investigations at worst.
Those tips and advice never panned out like they promised.They stole money from vulnerable families and didn’t look back.
So why was Cade back at his desk, staring at Norris’s website?The one that didn’t mention anything other than counseling and consultations.
He skimmed the testimonials and silently blamed people for being suckers.For believing what they wanted to believe in.He didn’t have a problem with people seeking comfort or encouragement or a motivational boost to accomplish some goal.But there was no way this one woman could be feeding people viable answers about their lives.
He quickly closed the tab when Milton walked in, flanked by the two officers who’d escorted her from the hotel.
She sat, still as a statue beside his desk while he reviewed the statement she had given the officers, asked a few additional questions, and was satisfied he had the whole story.
Damned if it didn’t line up with Nell’s account and Norris’s theory.He stared down at the file while he debated his next move.
“They told me you have him in custody,” Milton said.
“That’s right.”They’d picked him up and dumped him in holding after taking Nell’s statement at the yacht club.
“So, um.”She fidgeted with the strap of her purse now.“You’re not buying all that crap about a break-in, right?”
“Also correct.Are you telling me you staged that scene and filed a false report?”
Milton shook her head.“No.We argued.About all of it.”She tipped her head to the open file.“He got physical with me.Shoved me.I didn’t make that mess or call the police.He did all that.”
“And yet you cooperated, went along with him.Drove his wife’s car to a spa.”
Her lips trembled.“I-I know I’m the other woman.I know our relationship is, well, wrong.”She swallowed.“The fight yesterday morning was eye-opening.Scary.That’s a side of him I’veneverseen.As for his wife, he told me she moved out.Left him months ago.That was the first time I’d been to his house.”
“And you saw them there together.Saw that she hasn’t moved out.”Nothing quite like learning the truth.
“You’re telling me.”She scooted the chair closer to his desk until it thumped against the side panel.“I’m really sorry that I helped him at all.Yes, I did what he asked.I drove Nell’s car to the spa.Daniel was scary.You weren’t there.I didn’t have a choice.”
“Without once calling the police.”Cade tapped his fingers on the file.Her fear was obvious, but her actions made her an accessory.
“He said he’d find me if I didn’t do it,” she explained, her eyes pleading.“He threw the keys at me.Nell was...Well.”Milton swallowed.“I wasn’t a part of hurting her.Or anything after.”
“Did he tell you what he had in mind for Nell?”
She chewed on her lip as tears welled up in her eyes.“He said...he said he’d take care of it.”
“It?”Cade pressed.
