Page 18 of Nothing Hiding

The woman's eyes narrowed. "What's this about?"

"It's a police matter. There's been a crime committed in the area, and we just need to ask him a few questions."

"B-but why? A crime? What could he possibly have done?" Her face hardened. "This is payback, isn't it? That dreadful man asked you to come here to bully him. Am I right?"

"What dreadful man?" Wyatt asked. It was an important question. Of course, they knew but getting her to say the name might be important in what followed.

"McKay." She spat it out unhesitatingly.

Well, that might be a start,Juliette thought.

"And why? Why would you think we would be here, demanding payback? You do understand we are not deployed by private citizens, even those who hold political positions?" Juliette asked.

The woman hesitated, her eyes flickering between the two detectives. Too late, she was regretting her angry words. Juliette and Wyatt exchanged a look. They had seen this kind of behavior before, a need for justification and excuses for bad behavior and suspicion against law enforcement. They needed to push forward with this, and if there was something to learn, they'd need to dig. Hard.

"Look, I don't know much about these things. All I know is that my husband was treated unfairly. He was micromanaged in his job like … like some kind of toddler. He'd been forced to resign. No way could someone of his caliber accept that," she explained.

Juliette could see the anger and frustration in the woman's face. "We understand that it can be difficult to accept unfair treatment, but we need to speak with Mr. Collins in order to investigate a crime related to his old employer."

The woman's expression turned wary. "What kind of crime?"

"Is he here?" she repeated. If he'd taken Daisy, the wife might not know. Then again, she might know and be pleading ignorance.

So, either way, Juliette was saying nothing.

"Well, he's not here," the wife replied.

"Where is he?" Wyatt asked, frowning.

“I’m not telling you that. From here on, our business is private, and we’re having no more associations with anyone associated with him.”

Juliette narrowed her eyes. This obstructive attitude was now starting to look suspicious. She didn’t want to come down hard on the wife, but she was giving her no option.

“This is a very serious criminal investigation. It’s no longer a matter of choice.”

“Then come back with a warrant,” she said rudely, in a tone that implied she didn’t think they could.

Losing patience, Wyatt stepped forward, towering over the small, but defiant, wife.

“Ma’am, we don’t need a warrant. Right now, what you’re doing is deliberately obstructing an investigation. It’s a criminal charge, and I think, if I’m correct, it carries a maximum one-month jail term. With a lifelong record, of course.”

Now, the woman was looking uncertain. Her gaze flickered to Juliette as if hoping for help. Well, she wasn’t getting any from that direction. Stonily, Juliette stared back as Wyatt continued.

“But if you’re lucky, we won’t arrest you. We’ll bring you in for questioning and keep you a few hours, possibly overnight, until you decide to tell us what you know.”

Now, she was breathing faster.

“Look, I don’t know what all this is about. I’ve done nothing wrong! And neither has Thomas. We’re innocent citizens who are just trying to live our lives after some abusive treatment. If this is a serious crime, then I—I’m definitely not aware of it.”

“It’s a kidnapping case. So, it would help us if you could tell us where your husband is, ma’am,” Juliette said, hoping that the threats had hit home, and that she would now be more cooperative.

Her shoulders slumped, and the defiant attitude left her.

"He's in Wales. We're moving there. He got a job with the local government after this debacle at the embassy. He went for the interview yesterday and got the position, so he's staying to look at houses. We're going to be moving there and starting afresh, thanks to that toxic man."

"Can you confirm that?" Juliette asked. “We need clear confirmation of what you’ve said. If you can provide it, we’ll leave. If not, then we’ll bring you in.”

But it seemed that the fight had gone all the way out of the angry wife now. Another minute, and Juliette was staring down at the proof of hotel bookings, interview times, and texts between the couple that proved, without a doubt, that he'd been there.

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