“I’ve decided on a change of tack for these interviews,” Bell said. “Rather than asking about the victims, I propose to assess knowledge of the kill site. The reason for that is to ensure that on the off chance we have a copycat, or two killers working together, this will save time. Only the killer or killers will know details about the tunnel.”
“Do you have reason to believe there is more than one person involved?” Gunnar asked.
“Not at this time, I’m being cautious.”
“Why have the people we’re seeing today landed on the shortlist?”
“Either because they have no alibi for the dates the victims were taken, or their alibis are sketchy for one or more of them.”
“Fair enough. What about the ones who aren’t here yet?”
“Efforts are being made to track them down. They may have arrived before Bryn gets to the end of this first bunch. I should also say, Bryn, if you need a break, you only have to say.”
“Keep the coffee coming, Bell.”
“He’ll take a break after the first three,” Gunnar said. “He’ll need a snack.”
“I will?”
“You will. Non-negotiable.”
Bell grinned. “Are they like this all the time, Emmett?”
“They are and then some,” Emmett replied before ducking his head. “I shouldn’t have said that, should I?”
“We love you, Emmett. Never change,” Gunnar reassured him. “Shall we get started?”
Over the next three hours, Bryn gradually eliminated all the suspects. Only one man had any knowledge of the Boston tunnels and he was an amateur history buff. He didn’t recognize the symbol on the wall and had never been inside any of the tunnels.
One of the three missing suspects had turned up under his own steam. He had a numb face from a dental appointment but was relieved to be able to clear his name.
Finally, it was only the small team left. Bell organized for Chinese food to be delivered.
Bryn didn’t wait for anyone else. He poked into boxes and claimed a portion of mushroom rice and some prawn curry. “So hungry!”
Gunnar held back but Bell had made provision for a wolf-sized appetite and had been generous. Soon everyone was eating.
“Who are we missing, Bell?”
“The two managers. Drake Romano who runs the store and Dave Frederics, the security manager.”
“We met both of them when we went to view their security footage,” Gunnar said.
“Any concerns about either of them?”
“Not at the time, but we weren’t there long. They were cooperative. The manager didn’t stay with us ’cos he had to haul some kid out of a freezer.”
“I’m not going to ask…”
“So where are they?”
“Romano is at the store and had to arrange cover, but should be here soon. Frederics didn’t show up for work this morning. I have people out looking for him.”
“So without jumping to conclusions, that doesn’t look good for him, does it?”
“Can’t say that it does.”
“That place is bristling with cameras. He’s in an ideal job to see everything and everyone. He’d definitely know how to avoid cameras and his build fits the profile.” Gunnar tried not to get too excited that they might have found their killer. “Did he have an alibi at all?”
