This sad victim could also be a pose that appealed to another instinct. He wanted to be her protector, to hold her, reassure her, comfort her over the tragic loss of her friend. His susceptibility made him mad at her, but absolutely furious with himself.

He turned back to the other men. “I’m thinking a night spent in the detention center might make her more forthcoming.”

Chapter 23

Drex’s suggestion caused Locke to wince. “We don’t have anything to hold her on.”

“Seriously, Drex?” Gif said in a stage whisper. “Jail?”

“It would be a short night,” he argued. “Only a few hours. Just long enough to convince her that we’re not messing around.”

“One major discrepancy is gnawing at me,” Gif said. “The audio surveillance.” He told the detectives about Jasper’s finding the transmitter and moving it. Looking back to Drex, he said, “If he knew you were eavesdropping, why did he talk about Marian Harris at all?”

“Because he can’t help himself from bragging about killing her and getting away with it.” He turned to the two detectives. “I’ve been after him for a long time, but having spent time with him and learning the unspeakable circumstances of Marian Harris’s murder, it’s evident to me that he has the characteristic ego of a serial killer. He doesn’t want to be caught, but his ego compels him to flaunt how smart he is.”

With chagrin, he added, “Much as I hate to admit it, he outsmarted me this time. He said just enough. Stopped just shy of a confession. He knew that a defense lawyer would shred the recording in court, even if it were admissible, which it isn’t. Jasper used it to get me running in the wrong direction, and now he’s laughing up his sleeve.”

“I guess you’re right,” Gif said, and the rest nodded in grudging agreement.

Drex asked the group, “So what’s it to be?”

“If we mention jail, she’ll lawyer up,” Menundez said.

“Shit.” Drex dragged his hand down his face. “You’re right. In which case, our involvement would become known. Sooner or later, if not already, the FBI will get in on this investigation. There’s a resident office here, right?”

Locke nodded.

“Good men and women, I’m sure, but I would rather continue operating independently if at all possible.”

“We could use their help, Drex,” Gif said.

“True, but here’s my thought. Jasper knows that I’m screwing with him, but he doesn’t know why. I could be a crook trying to poach his territory. I could be a gigolo after his hot wife. I could be a cop trying to nail his murderous ass. As long as he’s unsure, we have an edge.”

“How’s that?” Locke asked.

“Because I don’t think he’ll be able to stand not knowing. I don’t think he’ll go too far afield without either dismissing me because I’m no real threat, or dispatching me because I am. But if I’m at the epicenter of a bureau investigation, he won’t risk sticking around. He’ll leave me to the devil and vanish.”

Mike said, “I predict he’ll vanish if you put his wife in lockup. As you told her, he’ll turn his back and let her take the fall.”

Drex scowled. “Thanks for those words of wisdom, Mike.”

“I’m just saying—”

“And you’re right,” he snapped. “I just don’t trust her not to take off, and we can’t strap on an ankle bracelet.”

“Good God, no,” Gif said.

Looking troubled, Locke said, “How about this? No lockup, but make it clear to her that she’s not to go anywhere. Get Mount Pleasant PD to send over a policewoman to stay inside the house with her.”

“With us right next door, that would be overkill,” Drex said. “Besides, someone shows up in a uniform, she’ll clam up even tighter until she can summon a lawyer. Gif, Mike, and I’ll take turns standing watch till morning.”

“She won’t like it,” Locke said.

“I don’t give a fuck what she likes.” Drex thought on it, then added, “But having a couple of patrolmen outside wouldn’t be a bad idea. They’d be two extra sets of eyes for us and give her peace of mind.”

“How will I explain the three of you to them?” Locke asked.

Drex shrugged. “Tell them the truth, but emphasize that we’re undercover and that if they tell anybody we’re here, even within their own department, we’ll cut out their tongues.”

“In other words, use subtlety and tact,” Gif said.

“I’ll get on it.” Menundez took out his phone, but before placing the call, he read another text. “You were right, Easton. Local FBI is now assisting,” he told the group, then continued reading. “Word got out how similar our case is to Marian Harris’s. Tomorrow, an agent familiar with that investigation is flying in to talk to Mrs. Ford.”

Mike groaned.

“Rudkowski?” Drex asked Menundez.

“How’d you know?”

Gif, Mike, and Drex exchanged looks of disgust. Drex said, “He’s a blowhard. All mouth. No brains. The three of us took personal days, using phony excuses, just to follow this lead on Jasper Ford before Rudkowski could barge in and muck it up. Mike eluded him yesterday, made him look like an ass, which isn’t difficult to do. He won’t be happy to see us.”

“Who has seniority?” Locke asked.

“He does. In years, not know-how. What time is he due?”

“Around ten. Wants to interview Mrs. Ford right away.”

“They say where?” Mike asked.

Menundez shook his head.

“Find out and let us know the location,” Drex said. “We’ll have her there.” Seeing the consternation registered by Mike and Gif, he said, “It was only a matter of time, guys. We’re lucky he didn’t run us to ground before now.”

Talia had remained seated on the sofa. When the group of men broke up, the two detectives came over to her and expressed their condolences regarding Elaine. “I’m sorry we had to put you through that identification procedure,” Locke said.

“You were only doing your job.”

He thanked her for her cooperation then said, “We’re still relying on your cooperation, Mrs. Ford. Please don’t leave town.”

“I have no intention of going anywhere until my husband is accounted for.”

He nodded and gave her his business card. Menundez also passed her his.

Locke said, “Call either of us if you think of anything that could be useful to the investigation.”

Although Drex’s arguments were damning, she wasn’t ready to concede that it had been Jasper onboard the yacht with Elaine. “Are they still searching for the man?”

“Yes, ma’am. We’ll notify you if there’s something to report.”

“Please. No matter how bad the news may be.”

He gave her a bland smile. “Try to get some rest. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

Menundez nodded a quasi goodbye, then followed Locke out, leaving her alone with Drex and his partners.